Solid State Logic SSL 18 Audio Interface

Description

Solid State Logic SSL 18 Overview
The flagship model in Solid State Logic’s well-known line of USB audio interfaces is the SSL 18. It’s loaded with features to boost your productivity and powered by state-of-the-art technology to produce world-class sound, as you would expect from the industry leader. SSL 18 is the ideal center for recording, mixing, and mastering in your project studio since it works with your DAW and other professional equipment and is compatible with macOS and Windows. Every microphone in your locker, including passive ribbon mics with low output, may be used with this high-performance, 26 x 28 USB-C audio interface thanks to SSL’s clean microphone preamps, which have a hearty 67dB of gain on tap.

Eight microphone/line-level inputs, next-generation 32-bit converters, a sophisticated digital mixer, Legacy 4K analog augmentation, and a comprehensive array of digital I/O are all part of SSL 18’s clever feature set. The search is over for producers, engineers, and artists looking for a rackmount USB audio interface that offers industry-leading performance and affordability. Without a doubt, the Solid State Logic SSL 18 is the best.

Superior performance in both analog and digital
Solid State Logic’s first 19-inch rackmount interface, the SSL 18, leverages the company’s 50 years of experience in analog and digital engineering. With its session-ready feature set, characteristic SSL sound, and dependable performance and dependability that audio professionals have come to expect, SSL 18 sets the standard for USB audio interfaces in its class. With SSL 18’s next-generation 32-bit/192kHz AD/DA converters, you can record and render your sources like never before thanks to its unmatched dynamic range of 120dB across all microphone, line-level, and instrument inputs.

The SSL 18’s line and monitor outputs have a dynamic range of 125dB, so you can hear your music in breathtaking high fidelity. Working with headphones is an equally exciting experience because of SSL18’s two headphone outputs, which have a dynamic range of 120 dB.

Advanced SSL preamplifiers
SSL 18 has eight high-performance preamps in a switchable mic/line arrangement. These sophisticated preamplifiers are equipped with ultra-low noise and a large dynamic range, ensuring you catch every performance element in beautiful clarity. These outstanding preamplifiers, which use patented two-stage circuitry, produce signals with extremely minimal distortion while keeping the source’s original characteristics.

Looking for the traditional SSL 4000 series character and punch? To give euphonic analog saturation and warmth to singers, percussion, and other sounds, set the preamps to Legacy 4K mode. While mic/line combo inputs three through eight are positioned at the back of the chassis, mic/line/instrument inputs one and two are located on the front panel for easy recording of electric bass, guitars, keyboards, drum machines, and other DI sources.

4K Legacy Analogue Enhancement
When pushed, Solid State Logic 4000 series consoles (lovingly termed “4K” by their legions of enthusiasts) notoriously imparted a distinct mojo to vocals and instruments that flowed through them — an aggressive approach to gain staging known among the SSL cognoscenti as “bending the board.” This distinct audio signature was created by many layers of harmonic distortion, courtesy of compressor VCAs, VCA faders, and other console components such as transistor mix amplifiers.

The SSL 18’s 4K Legacy analog enhancement combines the two distinguishing features of the 4K sound — sweetly musical-sounding harmonic distortion and an assertive high-frequency EQ boost — into a modern circuit that gives your sound the 4K punch and presence that artists, engineers, and producers have sought for decades.

Maximize your workflow
Solid State Logic, with decades of industry expertise, understands what you need when time is of the essence and you have many projects on the go. That’s why the SSL 18’s digital audio interface offers 16 ADAT channels as well as stereo S/PDIF, allowing you to extend your I/O count as needed. You also receive a dedicated word clock output, which enables reliable clocking for integrating additional digital devices into your setup. The interface also has a fully customizable monitor controller area with talkback and multiple speaker-switching options. You can also convert the talkback input to line mode and reprocess audio using SSL’s iconic Listen Mic Compressor, which is perfect for crushing drum buses, vocal doubles, and more!

SSL 18 mixer is powered by SSL 360.
The SSL 18 mixer manages all I/O and provides scalable input metering with Solid State Logic 360 software. This beautifully designed mixer allows you to easily construct and maintain your control room monitor mix, as well as configure four additional monitor mixes for artists. In addition, a versatile Mirror Routing system allows you to route any input or aux master straight to an output – ideal for feeding personal monitoring systems, external metering, or outboard effects devices. You may also build multiple templates for tracking, mixing, and other tasks and save them as profiles in the SSL 18 mixer for quick access.

The Solid State Logic Legacy
Solid State Logic, founded in 1969 by Colin Sanders, has adhered to a design philosophy that prioritizes the demands of artists, engineers, and producers. The company’s solutions promote creativity by eliminating technological barriers and optimizing workflows. SSL is firmly established in the pantheon of pro audio greats, having helped define its history. It continues to develop, giving its uncompromising quality and trademark sonics to a new generation of artists and makers. We are delighted to offer SSL’s prestigious range of consoles, signal processors, and audio interfaces.

Solid State Logic SSL 18 Features:
Superior audio performance.
Features include 4K analog augmentation, polarity inversion, highpass filters, and 48V phantom power for each channel.
Inputs 1 and 2 are switchable to instrument level.
Line inputs skip the preamp stage.
10 DC-coupled, balanced line outputs.
Alternative speaker switching is provided for pairs 1-2 and 3-4.
Set +9dBu/+24dBu output levels for pairs 1-2 and 3-4 to fit your monitors
The DC-coupled outputs are ideal for delivering CV to synthesizers and modular rigs.
Two strong headphone outputs with volume controls.
Three headphone mode settings to accommodate various impedances: Standard, high sensitivity, and high impedance.
Enables unique headphone mixes.
Dedicated Talkback Input with Listen Mic Compressor (LMC).
Use talkback input in Line mode to process stems through LMC.
16 ADAT I/O channels at 44.1/48kHz and 8 at 96kHz.
Two S/PDIF channels, either coaxial or optical.
MIDI I/O via 3.5mm TRS connectors.
Next-generation 32-bit/192kHz converters.
The best-in-class dynamic range of 120dB for all inputs and headphone outputs.
Offers best-in-class 125dB dynamic range on monitor and line outputs.
SSL 18 is a low-latency mixer powered by SSL 360.
Use the SSL 18 low-latency Mixer for comprehensive input and output management.
Manage the control room monitor mix.
Easily create four bespoke monitor mixes: HP A (stereo), HP B (stereo), and Line 3-4 (stereo or dual mono).
The Flexible Mirror Routing system routes any input or aux master straight to an output.
Personalize the front panel monitoring section buttons to fit your workflow.
Create tracking and mixing templates using SSL 18 Mixer profiles for different workflows.
Stereo Loopback with adjustable loopback source.