SSL Duende

[eyeknow]

dont get it

its loaded with bugs when it comes to Ableton.

plugins sometimes dont remember settings when loading projects

renders are crackly

few little things like that which render it pretty useless for heavy duty work and recall.

sound quality is amazing

Ok, I remember you tested this pretty hard......so as a dsp (that is supposed to help) it's really more trouble than it's worth?

[sweetjesus]

you are totally missing the point.

the dsp is essentially a dongle for the plugins.. you're paying for some of the best sounding plugins available for feeble mortals like you and i.

There is the little part of the 1800'ish bucks for it.........

I think that's way too much for a dsp unit. With computers getting faster and more powerful, I don't really understand the need for a separate dsp hardware. For 1800, you could almost get a MacPro.

UAD and Duendo are just trying to hold on to their hardware dsp business model. I wonder how these companies will evolve in the future. I assume at some point they are going to go all software, or they are going to significantly reduce their prices.

As soon as Live/Logic/etc... start completely utilizing all 4, or 8 cores in the MacPro, the need for an external dsp is going to be eradicated. At some point, people are more interested in the plugins that UAD/Deundo provide, not the hardware.

[sweetjesus]

Ok, I remember you tested this pretty hard......so as a dsp (that is supposed to help) it's really more trouble than it's worth?

@ppeeeddrroo
@eyeknow

i tested the hell out of this thing using both software revisions... i even paid out of my own pocket to guinea pig it.

some of this is known stuff, but SSL told me that im one of the first people who tested the Duende with Live on a PC.

i cant say what happens on macs...

the plugs do sound awesome but sadly the problems are not limited to my setup as I tried it on 2 machine (both windowz boxes).

as a DSP it definately is more of a hassle than it is worth... that being said, i will buy one as soon as they are reliable. hopefully then the price would have come down.

the other thing which scares me is SSL's support .. at every step of the chain (from SSL, forums, distributor and retalers) i was basically told 'itll either work for you or wont.. if it doesnt tough luck'.

[JACKAL & HYDE]

you are totally missing the point.

the dsp is essentially a dongle for the plugins.. you're paying for some of the best sounding plugins available for feeble mortals like you and i.

There is the little part of the 1800'ish bucks for it.........

I think that's way too much for a dsp unit. With computers getting faster and more powerful, I don't really understand the need for a separate dsp hardware. For 1800, you could almost get a MacPro.

UAD and Duendo are just trying to hold on to their hardware dsp business model. I wonder how these companies will evolve in the future. I assume at some point they are going to go all software, or they are going to significantly reduce their prices.

As soon as Live/Logic/etc... start completely utilizing all 4, or 8 cores in the MacPro, the need for an external dsp is going to be eradicated. At some point, people are more interested in the plugins that UAD/Deundo provide, not the hardware.

This is wrong for so many reasons where Duende is concerned. There are actual components of SSL's C200 console within Duende. Is not just a RISC chip SSL plug emulator. The SSL C200 technology crammed into Duende uses the SSL 9000 Algorithm just like the digital $100,000 C200 does. Duende is not a straight up RISC job like UAD/Scope or a native Waves cpu situation, its different and in a class by itself.

[sweetjesus]

you are totally missing the point.

the dsp is essentially a dongle for the plugins.. you're paying for some of the best sounding plugins available for feeble mortals like you and i.

I think that's way too much for a dsp unit. With computers getting faster and more powerful, I don't really understand the need for a separate dsp hardware. For 1800, you could almost get a MacPro.

UAD and Duendo are just trying to hold on to their hardware dsp business model. I wonder how these companies will evolve in the future. I assume at some point they are going to go all software, or they are going to significantly reduce their prices.

As soon as Live/Logic/etc... start completely utilizing all 4, or 8 cores in the MacPro, the need for an external dsp is going to be eradicated. At some point, people are more interested in the plugins that UAD/Deundo provide, not the hardware.

This is wrong for so many reasons where Duende is concerned. There are actual components of SSL's C200 console within Duende. Is not just a RISC chip SSL plug emulator. The SSL C200 technology crammed into Duende uses the SSL 9000 Algorithm just like the digital $100,000 C200 does. Duende is not a straight up RISC job like UAD/Scope or a native Waves cpu situation, its different and in a class by itself.

hi mate,

that's quite interesting... i did loads of research when i was giving the Duende a run for its money but never came across that tidbit of info.

i cant imagine what would be in the C200 that could not be done natively... the audio isnt directed through any circuitry to my knowledge .. all processing is done via code, no?

in fact im pretty damn sure it is a straight up risc type job as ive seen SSL's plugins / algo's on another (non SSL) board.

im in a dodgy net cafe now, but ill try to find the board im talking about and post it in the next day or two.

cheers

[JACKAL & HYDE]

you are totally missing the point.

the dsp is essentially a dongle for the plugins.. you're paying for some of the best sounding plugins available for feeble mortals like you and i.

This is wrong for so many reasons where Duende is concerned. There are actual components of SSL's C200 console within Duende. Is not just a RISC chip SSL plug emulator. The SSL C200 technology crammed into Duende uses the SSL 9000 Algorithm just like the digital $100,000 C200 does. Duende is not a straight up RISC job like UAD/Scope or a native Waves cpu situation, its different and in a class by itself.

hi mate,

that's quite interesting... i did loads of research when i was giving the Duende a run for its money but never came across that tidbit of info.

i cant imagine what would be in the C200 that could not be done natively... the audio isnt directed through any circuitry to my knowledge .. all processing is done via code, no?

in fact im pretty damn sure it is a straight up risc type job as ive seen SSL's plugins / algo's on another (non SSL) board.

im in a dodgy net cafe now, but ill try to find the board im talking about and post it in the next day or two.

cheers

Maybe, but even if so, Duende so out performs others with the 9000 algorithms its insane. (On their site based on C200 technology) Have it, wouldnt give it away for anything. If I could bring Duende back in time to 2000, I'd make $300,000 off of it from many studios. There is nothing subtle about it. And at the end of the day, it makes the Waves Eq's sound cold & ridiculous like a Yamaha O2R.

[thelocalhost]

This is wrong for so many reasons where Duende is concerned. There are actual components of SSL's C200 console within Duende. Is not just a RISC chip SSL plug emulator. The SSL C200 technology crammed into Duende uses the SSL 9000 Algorithm just like the digital $100,000 C200 does. Duende is not a straight up RISC job like UAD/Scope or a native Waves cpu situation, its different and in a class by itself.

The hardware is the essintial part?

My entire point was that this plugins don't need to run on an external hardware. A quadcore, or 8core MacPro is more than adequate to run an insane number of plugins.

FastForward 2-3 years when 'everyone' has a quadcore laptop, or a desktop computer with 8 (or more?) cores. Do you really need external dsp processing?

[JACKAL & HYDE]

This is wrong for so many reasons where Duende is concerned. There are actual components of SSL's C200 console within Duende. Is not just a RISC chip SSL plug emulator. The SSL C200 technology crammed into Duende uses the SSL 9000 Algorithm just like the digital $100,000 C200 does. Duende is not a straight up RISC job like UAD/Scope or a native Waves cpu situation, its different and in a class by itself.

The hardware is the essintial part?

My entire point was that this plugins don't need to run on an external hardware. A quadcore, or 8core MacPro is more than adequate to run an insane number of plugins.

FastForward 2-3 years when 'everyone' has a quadcore laptop, or a desktop computer with 8 (or more?) cores. Do you really need external dsp processing?

First off, your 8 core MAC PRO got hamered down/served with the Live test by a PC. Secondly, 2-3 years "from now" it will be better? ok, 2-3 Years from now, God knows what we'll have in store. Paleseeee,,,,

You got beat on a soccer moms osx OS period the end.

Stop.


End of Story

Make an >I< story and an >I< website about it...


Do something useful and post a MAC screengrab under 5% during the Live test? ! ?

Us in the PC Computer TWEAK community will be waiting for your results with baited breath.....

[thelocalhost]

First off, your 8 core MAC PRO got hamered down with the live test by a PC. Secondly, 2-3 years "from now" it will be better? ok, 2-3 Years from now, God knows what we'll have in store. Paleseeee,,,,

Ya got beat on a soccer mom osx OS period the end.

Stop.


End of Story

Make an I story and an I website about it...

I absolutely love internet discourse.

[longjohns]

[sweetjesus]

This is wrong for so many reasons where Duende is concerned. There are actual components of SSL's C200 console within Duende. Is not just a RISC chip SSL plug emulator. The SSL C200 technology crammed into Duende uses the SSL 9000 Algorithm just like the digital $100,000 C200 does. Duende is not a straight up RISC job like UAD/Scope or a native Waves cpu situation, its different and in a class by itself.

hi mate,

that's quite interesting... i did loads of research when i was giving the Duende a run for its money but never came across that tidbit of info.

i cant imagine what would be in the C200 that could not be done natively... the audio isnt directed through any circuitry to my knowledge .. all processing is done via code, no?

in fact im pretty damn sure it is a straight up risc type job as ive seen SSL's plugins / algo's on another (non SSL) board.

im in a dodgy net cafe now, but ill try to find the board im talking about and post it in the next day or two.

cheers

Maybe, but even if so, Duende so out performs others with the 9000 algorithms its insane. (On their site based on C200 technology) Have it, wouldnt give it away for anything. If I could bring Duende back in time to 2000, I'd make $300,000 off of it from many studios. There is nothing subtle about it. And at the end of the day, it makes the Waves Eq's sound cold & ridiculous like a Yamaha O2R.

just to clarify

the C200 is SSL's emulation of their 9000 console eq's and buss compressor.

waves SSL is wave's attempt at emulating the 9000.

the C200 however is a bitchin console and SSL got their own sound right.

the Duende uses the code (not hardware) from the C200.

the same code can be found on other hardware platforms: http://www.sydec.be/ (althought SSL did buy these guys out about 18 months ago) but they maintain hardware independence.

so i still think the Duende is a bigass dongle, however it does provide cpu relief that software doesnt cut.

the problem however i think is Ableton's efficiency with 3rd party plugins.

in the past i found i could run more instances of said plugins on other hosts... load up a few serious plugins on the master chain and watch your ableton die.

[sweetjesus]

First off, your 8 core MAC PRO got hamered down with the live test by a PC. Secondly, 2-3 years "from now" it will be better? ok, 2-3 Years from now, God knows what we'll have in store. Paleseeee,,,,

Ya got beat on a soccer mom osx OS period the end.

Stop.


End of Story

Make an I story and an I website about it...

I absolutely love internet discourse.

in theory, if you put windowz on that box there should be fuckall difference ?

[mdb]

The duende is SOOOOO not ready for prime time.. Sure, a few renegades may have got it working, but overall... When you pay 1500-1800 for a piece of equipment, there shouldnt be any sort of jumping through hoops to get a piece of gear to work. Were talking almost $2000 dollars here. When i spend that kind of money im expecting something to be ready for me to use. Period, end of story..

I bought a Duende yesterday and guess where its at? Back at the store.

I brought it home, downloaded the 1.5 driver installed it before connecting the unit, updated the firmware to the latest version and loaded some plugs on a mix i REALLLY could have used it on (47 Track Monster), loaded a up G comp on the stereo busss only to discover that they pass no audio. As soon as i bypass the effect or delete it, i get my audio back. Ok... So i went to there support page and found an answer for my problem. They claim, the either your firewire card is not compatible or its sharing an IRQ with something else. Ok... So i check the IRQ and everything is dandy there.. Then i decide to humor them, and throw in a PCI firewire card, even though i have 2 onboard T.I firewire chips on my mother board.. Loaded that guy up and plugged in the Duende. Once again, it passed no audio when i plug was loaded.

Ok, that's enough for me, im not spending countless hours playing PC tech repair guy. Wrapped it back up in the box, and that was that.. And then i had to deal with salesman at the store that didnt want to credit my card back the money, and wanted to write me a check the next day???? No dude, put the shit back on my card.

I'm running a fairly top of the line system that is less then 3 months old and runs flawlessly with everything else that's plugged into it. Whatever... im over it.

So anyone on a PC.... BEWARE!!!

My Specs:

OS: Win XP Pro Corp - SP2
Board: Asus M2n32-SLI Deluxe - NForce 590/AM2
CPU: AMD X2 4600+
RAM: 2gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 667MHZ 4-4-4-12 2T
PSU: Antec True Power 550w

[peeddrroo]

thanks for the feedback mdb.
anymore users experiences?

i really have to find a solution to do some proper mixing... Live's not enough.
so i need high end plugins, and i might have to get another app as well. i'm thinking of samplitude.
another solution would be to get a good harware mixing desk.

[JACKAL & HYDE]

The duende is SOOOOO not ready for prime time.. Sure, a few renegades may have got it working, but overall... When you pay 1500-1800 for a piece of equipment, there shouldnt be any sort of jumping through hoops to get a piece of gear to work. Were talking almost $2000 dollars here. When i spend that kind of money im expecting something to be ready for me to use. Period, end of story..

I bought a Duende yesterday and guess where its at? Back at the store.

I brought it home, downloaded the 1.5 driver installed it before connecting the unit, updated the firmware to the latest version and loaded some plugs on a mix i REALLLY could have used it on (47 Track Monster), loaded a up G comp on the stereo busss only to discover that they pass no audio. As soon as i bypass the effect or delete it, i get my audio back. Ok... So i went to there support page and found an answer for my problem. They claim, the either your firewire card is not compatible or its sharing an IRQ with something else. Ok... So i check the IRQ and everything is dandy there.. Then i decide to humor them, and throw in a PCI firewire card, even though i have 2 onboard T.I firewire chips on my mother board.. Loaded that guy up and plugged in the Duende. Once again, it passed no audio when i plug was loaded.

Ok, that's enough for me, im not spending countless hours playing PC tech repair guy. Wrapped it back up in the box, and that was that.. And then i had to deal with salesman at the store that didnt want to credit my card back the money, and wanted to write me a check the next day???? No dude, put the shit back on my card.

I'm running a fairly top of the line system that is less then 3 months old and runs flawlessly with everything else that's plugged into it. Whatever... im over it.

So anyone on a PC.... BEWARE!!!

My Specs:

OS: Win XP Pro Corp - SP2
Board: Asus M2n32-SLI Deluxe - NForce 590/AM2
CPU: AMD X2 4600+
RAM: 2gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 667MHZ 4-4-4-12 2T
PSU: Antec True Power 550w

You should have used the 2.0 drivers that came out last month. Ver 1.5 is old as the hills. I have it working in Ableton & Samplitude with 0.0 issues on the same mobo. My guess is you installed it wrong. The manual is crappy to say the least but theres a tiny thing that you must do to make it stable at installation. You must turn the unit off for 30 sec and then back on right when your installing it or it wont work right. This information should BE IN CAPS with warnings around it in the manual but its not.