SSL
(Solid State Logic)
Introduction
In this series of articles, I have written the following words— this company needs no introduction, but, in the case of Solid State Logic, it is not just hyperbole. In fact, it is safe to say that just about every song in popular music from 1979-2003, may well have been mixed through a console from this company that is known in professional audio circles as simply SSL. Though the company was established in 1969 by Colin Sanders and produced its first console in 1976, it was the introduction of the SSL 4000E console in 1979 that became a game-changer in the world of professional music recording. This console introduced a complete channel strip (with a microphone preamp, equalization and dynamics), a stereo buss compressor and total recall of each of the settings on the desk. The subsequent consoles— the 4000G, 4000G+, 6000, 8000, 9000J and 9000K continued the legacy of the company creating some of the greatest desks in the history of popular music recording. In 2004, SSL began producing some of the finest hybrid consoles with their AWS and Duality series of desks. The company also produces excellent outboard gear and equipment, plus great consoles for both live sound and broadcast applications.
Which products from Solid State Logic that were used by the great engineers and recording studio facilities of the past would be a great fit for the educational space?
Most of the time, whenever I walked into a recording studio to work outside of our home base facility, the recording studio would have an SSL console, usually either a 4000G+ or a 9000J model desk. The vast majority of the songs that you heard on the radio during the period from 1980 to 2000 were either mixed or even recorded through an SSL console (note— the terms “console,” and “desk,” are interchangeable— in the UK it is most often referred to as a “desk,” while in the US we usually refer to them as “consoles.”) Today, SSL produces amazing outboard gear, even 500-series modules, which contain the crucial elements of their famed 4000-series consoles, awesome interfaces (which again, contain elements from the famed 4000-series) and both fabulous analog and hybrid consoles. It is safe to say that any product from SSL would be a great fit for the educational space.
Image: The SSL Six-CH Module
Image courtesy-- Solid State Logic
Image: The SSL UV-EQ Module
Image courtesy-- Solid State Logic
Image: The SSL G-Comp Module
Image courtesy-- Solid State Logic
Image: The SSL-2 Interface Unit
Image courtesy-- Solid State Logic
Image: The SSL-2+ Interface Unit
Image courtesy-- Solid State Logic
Image: The SSL-12 Interface Unit
Image courtesy-- Solid State Logic
Image: The SSL UF-8
Image courtesy-- Solid State Logic
Image: The SSL UC-1
Image courtesy-- Solid State Logic
SSl— Six CH Module
The SSL Six CH (or channel) is a true channel strip contained in a single 500-series module. At the top there is a pristine microphone preamp— the likes of which is also found on their fabulous consoles. In the mid-section of the module is a two-band equalizer and at the bottom, there is a handy single knob compressor. This single module would be excellent for an educational institution as a handy tool for podcasting, recording and or teaching the process of either of those exercises. Keep in mind, it is a 500-series module and so it will also require a compatible 500-series chassis to operate.
SSL— UV EQ Module
This Ultraviolet equalization module from SSL is another handy tool that comes available as a 500-series module. It is a true 4-band stereo equalization unit that comes from their famed Fusion Violet equalization unit. This fabulous unit also includes a high-pass filter and a dedicated trim knob, as well. It is another excellent tool for the educational space that has been designed and developed by SSL. Keep in mind, it is a 500-series module which will require a compatible 500-series chassis and take up two spaces in it.
SSL— G-Comp Module
The G-Comp module from SSL is a 500-series version of the famed stereo buss compressor that could be found on the legendary 4000G and G+ series consoles which from 1987-2001 dominated the landscape of professional music recording. An extremely powerful compressor that could function as either a great stereo buss compressor or as a submix compressor. It would be an excellent tool for an educational facility to have in their equipment rack. Keep in mind, it is a 500-series module which will require a compatible 500-series chassis and take up two spaces in it.
SSL— 2
The SSL 2 is a personal recording studio in a box. It is a USB powered interface which features two SSL preamps, a monitor control section and powerful SSL software— right out of the box. This interface and its siblings, the 2+ and the 12, would be great tools for recording podcasts, editing audio and taking on a location to do remote recordings. The SSL 2 marked the first step for the company to move into the burgeoning podcast and multimedia market, but this interface and its siblings would be great tools for the educational space.
SSL— 2+
The SSL 2+ adds additional connectivity to the sterling feature set that came with its smaller sibling, the SSL 2. Plus, it offers the ability to collaborate with more performers as it gives you the option of creating a second headphone mix. While the SSL 2 is more of a personal device, the 2+ can give you the option of doing more with your music and podcasts— particularly if more personnel are going to be involved in the creative process. Again, it is a great tool for the educational space.
SSL— 12
With its four microphone preamps, twelve additional inputs and the ability to create multiple headphone mixes, the SSL 12 is a great device for multimedia content creation involving more personnel than its smaller siblings. It is truly a recording studio device in a box. This device would be a great centerpiece for a multimedia suite in an educational space as it would offer tremendous versatility and functionality in a single interface that can also give you the flexibility of being portable.
SSL— UF-8
The SSL UF-8 is a small footprint, digital audio workstation software program controller that would be great to use to create a virtual SSL console in tandem with the next product to be introduced, the SSL UC-1. The UF-8 allows users to control their digital audio workstation software program, all while having the touch and familiarity of the famed SSL consoles of the past. Four of these units can be combined to create a 32-channel virtual console which would be excellent for podcasting, content creation and even music production. It would be an excellent tool for an educational space.
SSL— UC-1
The SSL UC-1 is a hardware plug-in controller which is designed to look and function just like the center section of a classical SSL console with its famed buss compressor at its heart. It can control your channel strip plugins and those which are based on the fabulous SSL gear of old that is now available in the form of software plugins. In other words, it can give you the true feel of working with a classical SSL console while you are doing the majority of your work in a digital audio workstation software program. Just like its sibling, the UF-8, which it works well with, it would be an excellent tool for an educational space.
Image: SSL Origin
Image courtesy-- Solid State Logic
SSL— Origin
The SSL Origin is an amazing console that would be perfect for the educational space. In fact, it borrows from the legacy of the great 4000-series desks of the 1980s and 1990s and brings it into the present. Each of the channel strips on the Origin console feature an excellent microphone preamp, the famed 4000-series equalization section and tremendous routing flexibility (16-busses and additional aux sends). The center section of the console is interchangeable— you can move the centerpiece monitor section that also contains the famed buss compressor from the 4000-series console, plus, you can add a keyboard and trackball, a UF-8 digital audio workstation controller (to use for automation purposes with your software program of choice) or a 500-series chassis with additional modules of your choice. The Origin is an excellent console with a tremendous feature set that offers great flexibility. The Origin comes in two versions-- a 32-channel console and a smaller, 16-channel desk.
Why should an educational institution invest in products from Solid State Logic?
It is safe to say that products from SSL turbocharged the growth and popularity of popular music from 1980-2000 and even beyond to the present. The company continues to make some of the most sought-after products in the professional music recording industry. Even their classical or vintage products are highly sought after and some of them, including their famed 4000-series consoles are beginning to make a comeback of sorts. SSL products are perfect for the educational space and the company has made a commitment to bring more of their offerings into this area of growth. While a lot has been said about the company and their classic consoles of the past and great products of the present, it is to be noted that the company has amazing customer service and is still a relatively small operation which continues to build great long-term customer relationships. Their products are easy to use, durable and have that uncanny SSL ability to bring the work of your students to life.
If you would like more information about Solid State Logic and the amazing products that were discussed in this article, please use the following links which are listed below.
The following link will take you to the Solid State Logic website where you can learn more about this legendary corporation and also, find an authorized dealer for their fabulous products in your area.
Special Note: Each of the images in this article appear through the courtesy and generosity of the wonderful people at Solid State Logic.
Special Thanks— At The Recording Session Vault Educational Website Project, we would like to take a moment to express our thanks and appreciation to Marc DeGeorge at Solid State Logic for his time and assistance with this article.