SSL® 4000 E Channel Strip Collection
-
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
J. Moody
November 10, 2020
Like lighting up a dim room...
UA and SSL’s products are legendary. Combine them and, well, the result is stunning. The sound of the SSL 4000e channel strip adds a brilliance to the track that is like lighting up a...
Read MoreC. Foster
November 3, 2020
Incredible!
I had the Waves version of this channel strip but the UAD version is far and away superior. No comparison. This plugin is where all my vocal tracks start.
Read MoreJ. Lukomski
October 13, 2020
not a fan of the legacy version but loving the other one
I love this plugin but I don't like legacy version too much and I ended not using it for now, it's big brother is a beast though so five stars and I think I will need a satellite quite soon...
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
-
Customer Reviews
SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection
K. Kouchian
ok but not like the real deal
It is far better than the waves emulation so I gave it two stars but it is hungry as hog and doesn't bring the 4000e shine. I also bought the Plugin Alliance version and it smokes the Uaudio version, it has a 72 channel variation algorithm that makes the thing sound even more like the real deal and some harmonic distortion. Don't waste your money on this version, save it for the Neve pre or some reverb.
J. Moody
Like lighting up a dim room...
UA and SSL’s products are legendary. Combine them and, well, the result is stunning. The sound of the SSL 4000e channel strip adds a brilliance to the track that is like lighting up a dimly lit room. You may not notice that the room needs a bit more light until you add it. That is the best analogy I can come up with. UAD NAILED it with their model! I love it so much I bought a DSP accelerator so I could use it on as many tracks as possible.
M. Kerlin
My new favorite
Use on all preamp and channel strips
C. Foster
Incredible!
I had the Waves version of this channel strip but the UAD version is far and away superior. No comparison. This plugin is where all my vocal tracks start.
R. Mahjoub
Hate it
Don't but it!
R. Mahjoub
...
...
M. White
Love it
buy it
G. Porrino
SSL 4000 E Channel Strip.
Excellent. Nuff Sed.
J. Lukomski
not a fan of the legacy version but loving the other one
I love this plugin but I don't like legacy version too much and I ended not using it for now, it's big brother is a beast though so five stars and I think I will need a satellite quite soon
P. Hoier
The prefect all-in-one preamp solution.
I wanted the perfect unison plugin. Something else than what's included with UAD hardware. More than just a gain stage. But it's a wonderful gainstage. Clean with loads of headroom, but yet still with a distinct color. On top of that; the best and most true sounding "in the box" EQ that I've come to know. Open and direct, and yet it can still be agressive and punchy. Lovely dynamics too, and finally a nice gate good for live use.
When used in unison mode, it really opens up the mic signal. Even without any EQ/compression/transformer enabled and driven gain input. It's gotta come down to the impedance switching. You can hear the mic's noise floor raises a bit. I used a simple dynamic beta 58. But it's very little compared to the openness that occured. While tracking you immediately hear the vocal 'sits' differently than when you bypass it.
For obvious reasons, I can't tell if it's the same as the hardware, as some say. But it wouldn't surprise me. The cleanness, openness, precision and punchiness reminds me very well of a certain era in music history.
A really nice one, and it shows that the unison concept has something very special to it. Gonna use this one a lot. But heavy on the DSP it is. But obviously not without a reason.b. bensoy
Great emulation but heavy on dsp
This plugin gives the fast almost jumping dynamics of a real SSL E channel, I gave 3 stars because of the dsp load. I believe while reviewing uad plugins, its better to consider both ends because we pay for both right?
D. Dmitriy
+
+ :))
I. Sevruk
80s flavour
Big fan of SSL sound and in my opinion this plugin sounds much better than the other SSL emulations. Clean, bright sound, fits perfectly for DI funky guitar sound from 80s pop hits like Billie Jean, Like a Virgin, etc.
T. Reeves
The Most Versatile UAD Plugin
Just this one person's opinion, but if I put the SSL on anything, engage the EQ, and flip between brown and black I know I'm instantly going to get a better sound. My favorite thing to do is to put this on my 'all music buss', flip to the mic pre, gain match the output and just flip on the EQ. Brown is more earthy/bassy, black is more clean and tight. Perfection. Thanks UAD!
T. Reeves
The Most Versatile UAD Plugin
Just this one person's opinion, but if I put the SSL on anything, engage the EQ, and flip between brown and black I know I'm instantly going to get a better sound. My favorite thing to do is to put this on my 'all music buss', flip to the mic pre, gain match the output and just flip on the EQ. Brown is more earthy/bassy, black is more clean and tight. Perfection. Thanks UAD!
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.
