Avid S3 vs SSL Nucleus

[gersonlazoq]

Dear Familia!

I about to invest some budget on a control surface. I've had an eye on the SSL Nucleus and also the Avid S3. I'm looking for at least 16 faders, so then my question would be,

What would be better Nucleus or S3?

Then about the S3, what would be better, two Artist Mix or one S3?

I would love your help,

Thank you all,


Best,

[albee1952]

Being that Nucleus uses HUI, the S3 is going to be able to do a lot more, but having said that, do you NEED that. S3 drops the ball on transport buttons(but there are ways to solve that). Artist Mix(x2) is not a bad way to go(and a used pair would likely only set you back around $1200), but S3 is better if you don't mind the cost. Adding the DOCK to the S3 looks pretty sweet, but I have yet to spend any serious time with either. Your budget will help decide Assuming $5K, you might also take a look at a used C24

[gersonlazoq]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Being that Nucleus uses HUI, the S3 is going to be able to do a lot more, but having said that, do you NEED that. S3 drops the ball on transport buttons(but there are ways to solve that). Artist Mix(x2) is not a bad way to go(and a used pair would likely only set you back around $1200), but S3 is better if you don't mind the cost. Adding the DOCK to the S3 looks pretty sweet, but I have yet to spend any serious time with either. Your budget will help decide Assuming $5K, you might also take a look at a used C24

Thank you for your answer.

The C24 it's too big more my place so that's why I was looking at the S3.

What more would the S3 do than the Nucleus ?

What is better about having the S3 instead of 2 Artist Mix ?

Thank you!

[simonjewel]

Originally Posted by gersonlazoq

Thank you for your answer.



The C24 it's too big more my place so that's why I was looking at the S3.



What more would the S3 do than the Nucleus ?



What is better about having the S3 instead of 2 Artist Mix ?



Thank you!

I have an Artist Mix and an Artist Control ... they are ok .. but somewhat cumbersome... I know the S3 lacks dedicated immediate transport functionality like the C24 but the eucon integration should be way superior to a hui based system... I am seriously considering going to an S3 myself at some point this year ... as always, one step forward, one back

[gersonlazoq]

Originally Posted by simonjewel

I have an Artist Mix and an Artist Control ... they are ok .. but somewhat cumbersome... I know the S3 lacks dedicated immediate transport functionality like the C24 but the eucon integration should be way superior to a hui based system... I am seriously considering going to an S3 myself at some point this year ... as always, one step forward, one back

Thank you Simon for your reply.

I think that so far the S3 is winning, Let's see what else people say..

Thanks,

[amarqu1]

The SSL should function very well in most DAWs, but may be limited in PT due to the HUI protocol. The S3 will work at its best with Pro Tools but won't be of much use to most other DAWs (I think there are a couple of other EUCON enabled DAWs, but not many). So in a way, the decision should be influenced by how committed you are to using Pro Tools and no other DAW.

I like the Nucleus' preamps and monitoring options and oh yeah... it doesn't require instruction to find the play button.

[gersonlazoq]

Originally Posted by amarqu1

The SSL should function very well in most DAWs, but may be limited in PT due to the HUI protocol. The S3 will work at its best with Pro Tools but won't be of much use to most other DAWs (I think there are a couple of other EUCON enabled DAWs, but not many). So in a way, the decision should be influenced by how committed you are to using Pro Tools and no other DAW.

I like the Nucleus' preamps and monitoring options and oh yeah... it doesn't require instruction to find the play button.

Honestly I mainly use PT. Sometimes Logic to track some midi and maybe later I'll be using Sequoia, but for now, PT its my to go for everything.

What limitations do you think I'll find with HUI protocol ? Regarding to the Nucleus in PT?

Thank you for your reply!

[amarqu1]

Originally Posted by gersonlazoq

Honestly I mainly use PT. Sometimes Logic to track some midi and maybe later I'll be using Sequoia, but for now, PT its my to go for everything.

What limitations do you think I'll find with HUI protocol ? Regarding to the Nucleus in PT?

Thank you for your reply!

I don't know the specific differences between the HCI and MCU protocols and they will affect the Nucleus. HUI has a limit of 4 characters used on the track names that display on the scribble strips on my controller. Other scribble strip display options seem limited on my Presonus Faderport 8 in Pro Tools. However at 1/10th the cost, we expect SSL to offer a better project.

On that note, I've recently tried the Icon Qcon ProX and the Faderport 8 in Pro Tools and other DAWs. So far I've been underwhelmed with both of them. I kept the Faderport since it worked well with Studio One, but in Pro Tools it has a tendency to lock up my computer.

[arche3]

Hui is very limited. If I was getting a hui controller it would be a cheaper one. SSL is basically a faderport. So just get a faderport. But SSL has the analog sections if that's what you desire. Or do not have analog gear and monitoring setup already.

For protools you need an avid controller. The integration will be much much more satisfying than any hui device.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[albee1952]

S3 can add inserts and address plugins(not so sure the Nucleus can do that). There are several youtube videos on the S3 so I would check that in your research.

BTW, I am told that the S3 strip(1 2 3 4) can be programmed for Transport control(but I imagine you are still going to have a keyboard at hand for basic transport). Even though I have an Artist Mix and Transport on my rig, I still also have the little Presonus Faderport for its transport buttons, and buttons for switching between Mis and Edit windows.