SSL fusion

A processor for ITB folks

https://www.soundonsound.com/news/ssl-fusion-aims-bring-analogue-character-box-mixes?amp&__twitter_impression=true

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Sick. With the way they’re marketing it for in-the-box mixes, it would’ve been nice if they had somehow incorporated audio through USB so you wouldn’t need an audio interface to route your mix out to this unit, and back in for processing.

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it somehow reminds me on the SPL Vitalizer MkII with Tubes - an old concept - stereo-widening with a lot going on before - get a unit in hardware, no plugin, it will open your eyes

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USB audio requires specialised drivers. Anything that is standard will always be my preference, and will always outlast anything requiring special drivers. You’ll be able to turn this unit on in 30 years and it’ll work, unlike all the gear with no working USB audio drivers.

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2495US according to sweetwater

Considering the Neve MBP is 3995US this is a worthy contender for MBP duties.

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This looks cool but wondering why is it marketed for ITB mixing specifically?
Seems like it’s no different to any other processor featuring just XLR in and out?
Seems like it is well priced in the market

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Of course. You can just use it as an effects processor. Still a good deal.

Imagine what kind of Superanalogue punch you can add when tracking out your Mpc live beats.

Don’t get this either. Was expecting some fancy in/out wizardry. No doubt it’ll sound amazing, but don’t get the ITB marketing bit. Maybe they have designed the elements specifically to process digital mixdowns??

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This confused me too, I came to the conclusion that it’s kind of a one-stop-shop unit that includes all of the analog processors you’d normally have to buy separate bits of gear for. I think the draw is that if you’re an ITB person looking for a single high-quality outboard unit, this thing will do more than the rest and do it better. They definitely missed a trick not adding digital IO though I reckon.

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Looks delish.

Idk. That would add to the cost and I think the presumption is that if you’re in the market for this you already have good conversion. Plus yeah SSL probably doesn’t want the headsche of supporting it…

ÂŁ1500 seems really quite reasonable for this. Do want.

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Is £1500 excluding VAT though? I’m seeing between £1750 and £1800.

I’ve always wanted a sweetener like this. Really tempted but for a hobby it might be too high for me.

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Yeah, you’re right, I just noticed SSL’s own store prices are ex VAT.

did anyone get one? And still have it?

I’ve got one. Fantastic. I’m OTB and everything runs to mastersounds mixer then fusion. I have a Manley elop+ in the insert chain. While thing sounds wonderful, easy to manage and a pleasure to use. I spent good money but my setup is done and I don’t look at outboard now.

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Does anyone here that owns Fusion, Silver Bullet and/or Overstayer Modular Channel could tell me how they compare to each other?

If it also had the SSL bus compressor I’d be sold

If anyone wants info on the Silver Bullet I have one and quite familiar with it. I wrote a longish review about it here if you want to search. I don’t have any experience with the Fusion or Overstayer, so I can’t give any qualified opinion or comparison other than what I’ve heard in sound clips online.

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Originally from sonicstate

Just in from SSL…

Just two years after its launch at AES in 2018, Solid State Logic’s Fusion outboard processor has become an indispensable tool for the modern hybrid studio. With an incredibly versatile set of features for tracking, mixing and mastering, Fusion introduced five distinct colours to help users realize the perfect combination of added tonal character, weight and space to stereo stems – with the detail, warmth and finesse that only real analogue circuits can provide. Now, SSL unveils a sixth colour, already present in Fusion: a full-band LMC processor with wet/dry control.

“Part of the mystique within SSL’s music creation tools is how they give back over time.” commented Andy Jackson, Studio Product Manager of Solid State Logic “During the development of FUSION, we experimented and trailed many variants of the five analogue circuits. One variant of particular interest was an alternative mode for the HF Compressor section, making it operate across the full audio spectrum. As the design of the HF Compressor section was based on the legendary SSL Listen Mic Compressor circuit, it came as no surprise that this alternative mode sounded damn cool. Two years on, it’s finally time to reveal this special audio treat to our FUSION family, giving everyone a sixth “secret” colour to get creative with.”

By pushing and holding the HF Compressor button on Fusion’s front panel for five seconds, users can unlock ‘full band LMC mode’. When in LMC mode, the X-OVER knob turns into a ‘Wet/Dry’ control – providing the ultimate LMC processing with parallel control. This feature already exists in all Fusion units, no update required.

The SSL Listen Mic Compressor – whose origins derive from the famed SSL 4000 series consoles – was a ‘secret weapon’ among producers and many say was the catalyst for that 80’s drum sound, which prominently features tracks of the era, including the classic ‘In The Air Tonight’ by Phil Collins. Originally designed to prevent overloading the return feed from a studio communications mic, the LMC’s fixed attack and release curves were soon discovered to be eminently suitable on drums, and equally interesting on guitars, vocals and many other instruments.

Everyone at SSL (especially R&D) would like to thank all the present and future Fusion owners and hope you enjoy the new LMC processing feature.

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How much are kidneys going for these days?

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