The video reviews the new SSL plugin bundle enhanced with Sonible’s AI, highlighting how it combines classic analog sound with modern AI-driven audio assistance. While the AI features offer helpful starting points—especially for beginners—manual adjustments by an experienced engineer still yield the best results, suggesting AI is a promising but not yet complete solution for audio processing.
The video discusses the collaboration between SSL (Solid State Logic), known for its analog console heritage, and Sonible, a company specializing in AI-driven audio processing. Together, they have released a bundle of SSL plugins enhanced with Sonible’s assistive AI technology. The bundle includes three plugins: an EQ, channel dynamics, and a bus compressor, all available for $99. The presenter, Paul, highlights how this combination brings together classic analog sound with modern AI assistance, potentially signaling the future direction of audio plugins.
To test the plugins, Paul sets up an experiment using an original pop track. He intentionally degrades the track with poor EQ and dynamics, then attempts to restore it manually using the SSL plugins, and finally uses the plugins’ AI-powered auto functions to do the same. He repeats this process with isolated vocals, again comparing the original, manually corrected, and AI-corrected versions. Throughout, he carefully matches loudness levels to ensure a fair comparison.
Paul finds that his manual corrections generally yield the best results, especially in addressing specific issues like harshness around 3.5 kHz and balancing the low end. The AI-assisted versions, while competent, often miss the mark on low-end restoration—sometimes not adding enough, other times adding too much. However, he notes that the AI does a good job with mid and high frequencies, and its suggestions are often a solid starting point for further manual tweaking.
He emphasizes that while AI is not yet a replacement for a skilled human engineer, it can be a valuable assistant, especially for beginners or home producers. The AI provides useful guidance and can help users make better decisions, but it still requires human intervention for optimal results. Paul suggests that this kind of AI integration could become standard across other plugin brands, as the technology matures and gains popularity.
In conclusion, Paul is impressed by the potential of combining analog emulation with AI assistance, calling it promising and a step toward the future of audio plugins. He encourages viewers to consider whether AI-assisted tools might fit into their own workflows and invites discussion about the role of AI in music production. He also congratulates SSL and Sonible for their successful collaboration, noting that while the AI isn’t perfect—particularly in handling low frequencies—it represents a significant and positive development in the field.