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.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
M. Racanelli
March 26, 2023
great plugin
Words cant describe how good this is. Great tool and getting legendary SSL sound. If you can't get the SSL bundle this is a great start. Sounds great and can adjust it to your needs on any...
Read MoreE. Nagy
February 16, 2023
Great plugin
I compared SSL with API and Neve channel strips, I think the gate for this one is working more natural compared with the API gate, and the eq is sounds nice too. Probably it's just a...
Read MoreJ. Lardinois
January 17, 2023
The whole plugin is great, but it shines with the gate.
I've mixed on these desks. I've mixed on this plugin. I want to skip reviewing everything else and just say, the expander / gate section is just lovely. It's really, REALLY easy to set up...
Read MoreA. Kostasenko
January 13, 2023
Details exactly how I want
Using on bus channel for my vocals, easy to set up how I want
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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
M. Racanelli
great plugin
Words cant describe how good this is. Great tool and getting legendary SSL sound. If you can't get the SSL bundle this is a great start. Sounds great and can adjust it to your needs on any stem/track. Highly recommended!
A. Rosario
Great sound
One of my favorite.
A. Rosario
Great sound
One of my favorite.
E. Nagy
Great plugin
I compared SSL with API and Neve channel strips, I think the gate for this one is working more natural compared with the API gate, and the eq is sounds nice too. Probably it's just a matter of taste
A. Chichester
Can't download
Download doesn't work
J. Lardinois
The whole plugin is great, but it shines with the gate.
I've mixed on these desks. I've mixed on this plugin. I want to skip reviewing everything else and just say, the expander / gate section is just lovely. It's really, REALLY easy to set up properly, and sounds great. It's flexible, too.
A. Kostasenko
Details exactly how I want
Using on bus channel for my vocals, easy to set up how I want
P. CHATELAIN
Un must !
L'outil ultime pour un son vintage et dynamique, des possibilités incroyables à la prise comme au mixage.
M. Franco
Love it! Best SSL Emulation
I really like how this SSL Emulation sounds, in my library this is now my go to.
J. Cortelyou
Sounds fine, but out of nowhere will stop passing audio.
This plug sounds like an SSL, so that's good. The bad is that it will randomly stop passing audio. If you crank the level on the line amp, you'll see the overload light work, but it gets no further. This will happen in the middle of a session, so a track that you have been eq'ing and working on earlier in the day, will stop at print. The only workaround that I've found is to import that track from an earlier session or session file backup. Taking the plugin off and putting it back on does not work, nor does creating a new track and copying the data from the one not passing audio. This is a HUGE bug and can really cause issues if it goes unnoticed.
Y. Albañil
ssl
the ssl sound is the winner. the unison is all i need
S. PHILIP
Wow…
If this one is real good then imagine the hardware …. Really a Swiss Army knife ….just get it n learn to use it later.
K. Rose
Hands down the BEST EQ!
I've never been the kind of producer to buy a ton of plugins, I prefer the motto of "Learn how to use what you have before buying anything else". However, after watching many Youtube videos where countless producers were all reaching for this channel strip, I figured there must be something truly magical about it...I wasn't wrong. What this does to drums is astonishing. There is a preset called "Make Anything Better", and it REALLY does. All components in the channel strip are incredible, but the EQ reminds me of the Pultec as far as you really can't mess it up. DEFINITELY worth the money.
M. Kozlov
sounds the best
For me it's a go-to console especially for vocals. Color is great. L
P. Diaz
Good!
Got this in a bundle for the gate. Regret not getting the Neve but it’s still good.
J. ter Borg
Warm, easy to use and some excellent presets!
Especially the Stuart Price presets were helpful! Recommended.
S. YOUNG
Excellent plugins
Excellent plugins
C. Long
SSL 4000 E Channel Strip
This plugin is a killer plugin, was using waves ssl and decided to try out UAD version of the plugin and was blown away in the results I was getting from the UAD SSL channel plugin. Recommend anyone using the waves ssl to at least give the UAD SSL channel plugin a try.
N. Coelho
Great plugin
Great sound and tone, It's my channel strip for VoiceOver. I love it.
O. Seiffert
a bettermaker
just a good, grainy basic sound. And not unpleasantly rough. In my opinion the best sounding UAD strip.
