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]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
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]()
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)![Chuck Zwicky]()
“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)![Chris Coady]()
“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)![Hector Delgado]()
“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)![Ryan Hewitt]()
“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)![Ariel Borujow]()
“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)![Ian Boxill]()
“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)Customer Reviews
M. Martmaa
October 18, 2017
SSL 4000 E Channel
I use it for everything- it,s a very versatile tool.It,s like having analog mixer inside computer.
Read MoreD. RAHMAN
October 17, 2017
What I needed
I was struggling to get the right sound out of my Kemper. This did the trick. Amazing sound and eq.
Read MoreM. Miller
October 1, 2017
The real deal!!!!
Wow after applying the SSL400 E to drums, vocals, and bass I’m convinced this plug version is the best of all versions. Now apply it first on every track!! Awesome!
Read MoreP. Marriott
September 26, 2017
Everything's better with the SSL E-Channel!
Run this plugin in unison mode when you're tracking, and apply the SSL E-Channel to your mixing inserts, buss groups and stereo out, your music will love you for it!
Read MoreJ. Catalan
September 19, 2017
Powerful Channel Strip! Sounds Big!
Is simply unbelievable how you can give life and transform your audio. I had the legacy version for a long time (already sounds amazing) but this newly remodeled version is outstanding....
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
View All ReviewsM. Martmaa
SSL 4000 E Channel
I use it for everything- it,s a very versatile tool.It,s like having analog mixer inside computer.
D. RAHMAN
What I needed
I was struggling to get the right sound out of my Kemper. This did the trick. Amazing sound and eq.
j. Young
Are you kidding me
Just awesome
M. Miller
The real deal!!!!
Wow after applying the SSL400 E to drums, vocals, and bass I’m convinced this plug version is the best of all versions. Now apply it first on every track!! Awesome!
P. Marriott
Everything's better with the SSL E-Channel!
Run this plugin in unison mode when you're tracking, and apply the SSL E-Channel to your mixing inserts, buss groups and stereo out, your music will love you for it!
J. Catalan
Powerful Channel Strip! Sounds Big!
Is simply unbelievable how you can give life and transform your audio. I had the legacy version for a long time (already sounds amazing) but this newly remodeled version is outstanding. Even the fader gives character to the signal. The unison is great, especially with the transformer engaged, it really makes a difference. Use it on everything.
O. Morris
NEW SSL4000 WITH UNISON
great go to plug in i use it for texture i also keep it on my aux track in my daw as a clean up tool. The SSL 4000 E channel strip is very versatile and sounds really great
P. Jacques
Lives Up to its Name
The SSL 4000 E is yet another triumph for UA. It really gives life to any decently recorded audio track and is a workhorse plug-in for tracking and mixing. Very good value.
t. takamasa
excellent
Best Channel strip
S. Snyder
Our Favourite Unison
This one is our favourite and for good reason. It does amazing work on vocals, bass, guitar, drums, etc. Multi-faceted and singular if need be.
E. Wohl
The Industry Standard
This is definitely one of my "go to" most used Plugins, who deosn't love an SSL!!! This is a MUST!!
L. Kasprzyk
step up
good sound comes with high dsp cost.. lets wait for uad3 dsp :)
A. Boret
Awesome
Great sound, super punchy on the lowend and great midrange
Love the distortion tooS. Arocha Morton
Sounds Identical to my X-Rack Hardware
This channel strip is ridiculous, I don't care how much DSP it uses. I compared it to my Xrack E series modules and they're identical, like indistinguishable. Very impressive.
J. Berner
Super accurate!
Great recreation of the classic strip. Finally, the gates/expansion work just as well as they do on the actual units. Fine job!
P. Santana
SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection
i absolutely love its sheen and lows but it all great !
R. Gonzalez
Best Channel strip
Try it!
UAD User
I got it
For long time, i was finding this kind of sound. The tone on vocals, drums and bass is just perfect to get a really nice punchy or get presence just only with the preamp part. So now, i always use in my mixes. Totally recommend
R. Trevor
Love this thang !!!
Despite being a DSP hog, I can get the bass, vocals, guitars etc... to cut at any given moment required. It's worth it just for that.
I use it in my recording chain for tracking and in most cases the sound is so good I rarely need it during mix down, I can get by with the Legacy channel strip.
I recommend this plugin to anyone after the SSL sound.
E. Sokolowski
the definitive SSL channelstrip
A big part of the SSL workflow is having everything laid out in front of you, a simple and direct interface with final controls, and the interaction between different processes. Being able to drive various parts of the channelstrip into others is where this plugin shines against the competition. The EQ sounds fantastic, the dynamics are aggressive, and the line amp/VCA drives are excellent.
I'd love to see implementation of sjidechaining added to UAD plugins - it would be great to trigger the gate from an external source,
