SSL® 4000 E Channel Strip Collection
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The famed SSL 4000 channel strip, exhaustively re-modeled with Unison technology.
Introduced in 1979, the SSL 4000 E console brought a modern sound to the world, powering more Platinum-selling records than any other. Its bold, punchy character and incredible dynamics have made the SSL 4000 E a true industry standard and a bastion of modern recording.
In close partnership with Solid State Logic®, Universal Audio proudly unveils the all-new SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection for UAD-2 hardware and Apollo interfaces — an exacting end-to-end circuit emulation that goes far beyond UA’s original standard-defining SSL 4000 E Channel Strip plug-in.Now You Can:
Track and mix through a stunning update of SSL’s vintage analog channel
Get the full character of SSL’s Jensen transformer-based preamps with Unison technology
Sculpt your sources with both Type E “black” and “brown” knob EQ and filters
Harness the famous SSL VCA Compressor and Gate for incredible dynamics control
Explore creative sounds by swapping Dynamics routing, and placing EQ/Filters in the Dynamics sidechain
Mix with artist presets from Just Blaze (Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar), Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Avett Brothers), Ian Boxill (Prince, Tupac), and more
Take a Listen
5-Minute UAD Tips
SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection
Turn Your DAW into a Classic SSL Console
In crafting the new SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection, UA’s team of engineers dug deep into the SSL 4000 E hardware, faithfully modeling the original preamp’s Jensen input transformers and dbx "gold-can" VCA output section. By capturing the preamp’s signature nonlinear amp behaviors you get all of the SSL hallmarks — expansive, punchy, deep, assertive character for all of your sources.
Get Famed British EQ in Spades
The SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection plug-in features both the Type E 242 “black knob” and 001 “brown knob” four-band EQ and filters. The “brown” EQ is easy to dial in and musical, while the “black” is more surgical and clean. Both offer iconic SSL band interactions and amp modeling, adding punch to drums, presence to vocals, and heft to bass.
Unison Technology for Apollo
Harnessing UA’s groundbreaking Unison technology, the new SSL 4000 E Channel Strip plug-in gives you the hardware’s mic/line preamp impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and exact circuit behaviors. Just insert the plug-in into the Apollo’s Unison preamp slot to track in real time through a perfect SSL modeled preamp.
Expansion, Compression & More
From subtle dynamics control to in-your-face smack, the E Series’ compressor gives guitars presence, makes vocals “pop,” and can add clarity, punch, and depth to your drum bus. PRE-DYN controls let you place the EQ or filters before the dynamics section for tons of different timbres, while the DYN-SC buttons provide frequency-dependent compression using the EQ filters, cut filters, or both.
Add Depth and Openness with any UAD hardware
Of course, the SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection isn’t just for Apollo owners. UAD-2 owners can use the SSL E Channel Strip on any source, without going outside the box. With the SSL E Channel Strip's complete console channel emulation, plus the included DSP-lite SSL E Channel Strip Legacy plug-in, you can craft your projects with Platinum‑selling sound.
“The new SSL 4000 E Channel Strip is a remarkable reincarnation of the classic console that introduced me to the world of SSL. Meticulously reproduced including its amazing idiosyncrasies, this plug-in has all the character, grit, and spank you'd expect and more.”
– Richard Chycki (Rush, Aerosmith, Dream Theater)
“The new SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection is by far the most authentic emulation of my favorite console.”
– Chuck Zwicky (Prince, Soul Asylum, Reggie Watts)
“I can treat the UAD SSL 4000 E exactly like the hardware. The channels are perfectly recreated along with the mic and line amps — the gain staging is so realistic, it's eerie!”
– Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beach House, Future Islands)
“My vocal chain is an LA-2A, SSL E Series Channel Strip, an 1176LN, and a Precision De-Esser. They're amazing plug-ins.”
– Hector Delgado (A$AP Rocky, Selena Gomez, Jay-Z)
“The UAD SSL plug-ins are pretty amazing! I use the compressor just as I would on an analog desk, attaining the same results.”
– Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Avett Brothers)
“I've been looking for that perfect SSL sound since I started mixing in-the-box. I've finally found it with the UAD SSL 4000 E Series Channel Strip!”
– Ariel Borujow (Chromeo, Mac Miller, Madonna)
“I learned to mix on an SSL E Console. This plug-in takes me right back to that familiar sound with uncanny realism. It will be living on my mixes from now on.”
– Ian Boxill (Lenny White, Prince, 2Pac)
“With the UAD SSL 4000 E Channel Strip and Unison technology, I can create amazing chains on-the-go and not worry about anything other than capturing a great performance. ”
– Ivan Barias (Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Estelle)Watch The Reviews
Customer Reviews
C. Hauser
September 23, 2020
Fantastic plugin
This thing is a beast. I will never be able to own a physical SSL Console but now I can get the same emulated sound of one. It is responsive and colourful. I like it....
Read Mores. ermolaev
August 26, 2020
Quality standard
My favorite plugin on all instruments. The plugin I use most often.
Read Morec. glakas
July 21, 2020
Powerful Swiss-army knife plugin
This is a great go-to, all-in-one plugin if you take the time to learn how to use it. I track with the new version and mix with the legacy version. The legacy is light on the dsp, so even...
Read MoreJ. Moore
July 17, 2020
Lots of clean gain
Of all the current unison plugins, this one seems to offer the most detailed controls with the most headroom. I use it with a km184 and Cloud 44a while recording fingerstyle and classical...
Read MoreJ. Moore
July 17, 2020
Lots of clean gain
Of all the current unison plugins, this one seems to offer the most detailed controls with the most headroom. I use it with a km184 and Cloud 44a while recording fingerstyle and classical...
Read More -
Key Features
Most authentic SSL 4000 E Channel Strip plug-in, including mic preamp modeling
Developed and voiced in close partnership with Solid State Logic
Record in realtime using Apollo interface with Unison technology for authentic analog input impedance and gain staging
Now includes Jensen transformer Input amplifier and other nonlinear circuit behaviors
Exacting nonlinear circuit emulation of both Type E “black” and “brown” knob channel EQ and filters
Flexible VCA Compressor range, from transparent to “in your face” aggression
Highly responsive Gate including “no-chatter” mode derived from modern SSL designs
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Customer Reviews
SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection
C. Hauser
Fantastic plugin
This thing is a beast. I will never be able to own a physical SSL Console but now I can get the same emulated sound of one. It is responsive and colourful. I like it.
s. ermolaev
Quality standard
My favorite plugin on all instruments. The plugin I use most often.
c. glakas
Powerful Swiss-army knife plugin
This is a great go-to, all-in-one plugin if you take the time to learn how to use it. I track with the new version and mix with the legacy version. The legacy is light on the dsp, so even though I only have one UAD device (Twin X Quad) I can load up the SSL legacy on a dozen tracks and still have plenty of DSP left. With the compressor, expander, gate, filters, eq and gain-staging options, you can do an awful lot while only using one plugin slot in your DAW channel. Love it!
K. Ramsey
Awesome
Really like this plugin!
J. Moore
Lots of clean gain
Of all the current unison plugins, this one seems to offer the most detailed controls with the most headroom. I use it with a km184 and Cloud 44a while recording fingerstyle and classical guitar. It is less colored than the 1073, has more gain than the Avalon, and has more detail than the 610B.
J. Moore
Lots of clean gain
Of all the current unison plugins, this one seems to offer the most detailed controls with the most headroom. I use it with a km184 and Cloud 44a while recording fingerstyle and classical guitar. It is less colored than the 1073, has more gain than the Avalon, and has more detail than the 610B.
c. glakas
Powerful Swiss-army knife plugin
This is a great go-to, all-in-one plugin if you take the time to learn how to use it. I track with the new version and mix with the legacy version. The legacy is light on the dsp, so even though I only have one UAD device (Twin X Quad) I can load up the SSL legacy on almost every track to mix. With the compressor, expander, gate, filters, eq and gain-staging options, you can do an awful lot while only using one plugin slot in your DAW channel. Love it!
t. mcneil
THE BEST!!!!!
When I tell you the analog color is amazing ill be lying its PHENOMENAL
J. Piccione
Best yet, love it.
This one is wonderful! It shines like a bright star!
Y. Fentaw
Super dope but...
It’s really complicated to get started. I don’t know what I’m doing. I need help, it would be nice if there was a service you guys provided that would sort of show me hands on, but I guess that’s kinda far fetched especially now. Overall, I catch on to something new everyday, it’s exciting, thank you so much
G. Merino
Serious and versatile
This channel strip plugin offers almost anything you need. Quick and easy dynamics set up and surgical eq. Looks great, sounds better!
P. Ponting
Amazing.
Was way more than I bargained for. Absolutely can't imagine how I lived without this plugin. Once you engage the eq and start turning knobs everything becomes so wide in a mix, pure spacious heaven. Try this on a rythem guitar bus of two guitar tracks panned left and right and the width is incredible, no matter what I use it on it it's like magic I almost feel like I'm cheating because I've had to work so much harder with other companies plugins to make everything sit so well. And I achieve the sound I've always wanted in seconds with this plugin. Buy it. Worth every penny.
S. Marzolini
beautiful
All in one,eq,compresion,limiter and beautiful sound
P. Edwards
I'm glad I bought this
I was new to my UAD interface and trying to get a vocal tone (I'm accustomed to using API mic pre's and SSL for mixing) I was so happy I bought this SSL pre amp because it was the only thing that really came close to what I am use to on the way in. I think I'll have to buy the API channel next. They each have a tone of their own. I think the high DSP usage is because of the accurate modelling. I'm not 100% sure about that but it has a lot of analog feel.
J. Deift
Incredible!
This is an absolutely spot on replica of the analogue strip. I’ve had other plugin emulations, and own an analogue G comp compressor in my rack. The previous plugin incarnations sounds like 2 dimensional cardboard next to this updated version. Every stage is meticulously modeled, no corners cut. Buy it!
M. Gentili
A golden classic
It sounds very musically, in a song I tried to open it in every track without other plugs. Wow! Amazing (you need 8 core at least)
J. JEON
Very good but..
This plugin is too much of the cpu... but Quality is good.
B. Schumacher
It‘s actually well programmed
I don‘t know why someone claims this plugin is not well programmed? I am a developer also and think this is very well programmed. I am not that much of a channel strip fan and not really an SSL channel fan either. But this plugin is great in my opinion. I was surprised to learn that this is one of my preferred Unison Mic Pres for lead vocals.
M. Mchangani
Dope
I have plenty of ssl emulations and this is a top tier plugin, I use on parallel compression and as a main comp for kicks. Easy to tweak and dial in grittiness or clean compression, I dig it a lot
R. Schmidt
Needs to much DSP in compare to Plugin Alinace Plugins
I could be good, but if you are serious mixing and you can use only 4 instances on a 800 euro dsp (quad) that is not ok!
Yes the plugin is nice, but not good programmed (I´m a developer)
No the legacy ssl plugin is not a option because it does not sound as good as the non lagacy. i have 12 dsp and i´m forced to use plugin aliance ssl channels für bigger mixes...
thats the truth
