SSL SS-18 26-In / 28-Out, High-Performance USB Audio Interface
Description
This is the SSL 18 - a new era in rackmount production technology from Solid State Logic. Developed from our unmatched expertise in analogue and digital design, SSL 18 offers exceptional audio performance with a studio session-ready feature set, delivered with the signature SSL sound and premium quality that professionals trust. Whether you are recording, producing or mixing, SSL 18 enhances production workflows while elevating the performance of your creative space, it’s the ultimate centrepiece for your studio. Welcome to a new era in rack mount interface performance.
Designed to make hit records
Designed by the same engineering teams behind the esteemed range of analogue and digital mixing consoles, SSL’s rich heritage can be found throughout the design and feature set. SSL 18 is the only product in its category that is designed to properly integrate with professional outboard gear, thanks to the +24 dBu capable inputs and outputs.
Best-In-Class Audio Performance
Next-generation 32-bit/192 kHz converters provide the platform for SSL 18’s analogue design to shine, with unrivalled dynamic range performance of 120 dB across all microphone, line-level and instrument inputs – capture your sources like never before. Experience 125 dB dynamic range on the monitor and line outputs to hear your music with uncompromised fidelity. Need to work on headphones? No problem, with the unbeatable 120 dB dynamic range on offer from the dual-headphone outputs.
32-Bit / 192 kHz / Unrivalled Analogue and Digital Performance
8 x SSL-designed Mic/Line inputs
SSL 18 features eight high-performance SSL-designed mic pre’s, with switchable Mic/Line configuration. Leveraging our renowned engineering expertise, they deliver ultra-low noise recordings and a huge dynamic range, making sure you capture every detail of the performance with stunning accuracy. Their advanced 2-stage circuitry ensures ultra-low distortion while maintaining the natural character of the source – or flip them into Legacy 4K Mode to add real analogue saturation and the iconic 4000 series sound to vocals, drums, and more. What's more, in Line mode the mic preamp stage is completely bypassed - perfect for connecting external outboard gear. Located on the front of the unit, inputs 1 & 2 also offer instrument/Hi-Z inputs to capture DI’d guitars and vintage synths/drum machines.
120 dB Dynamic Range / -130.5 dBu EIN / Legacy 4K Analogue Enhancement
Key Features
- 26-in/28-out USB-C audio interface for Mac and Windows.
- 8 microphone/line-level inputs. 4K analogue enhancement, Polarity Invert, High-Pass Filters and 48V Phantom Power per channel. Configurable analogue insert points for inputs 1 and 2, great for tracking with analogue gear. Inputs 1 and 2 are switchable to instrument-level. Line inputs bypass preamp – perfect for integrating external preamps.
- 10 balanced line outputs. Alternative speaker switching is available for pairs 1&2 and 3&4. +9 dBu/+24 dBu output level configuration options for pairs 1&2 and 3&4 to best match your monitors. DC-coupled outputs are perfect for sending control voltages to synthesisers and modular rigs.
- 2 independent, powerful headphone outputs with dedicated level controls. 3 mode options to suit different headphone impedances – Standard, High Sensitivity, High Impedance. Create custom headphone mixes. Re-purpose as line outputs.
- +24 dBu operating level for inputs and outputs – perfect for integrating professional outboard gear as hardware inserts.
- 16 channels of ADAT I/O at 44.1/48 kHz, 8 channels at 96 kHz.
- Next-generation 32-bit/192 kHz converters.
- Class-leading audio performance in every area: Best-in-class low-noise microphone preamps with outstanding –130.5 dBu EIN and 67 dB gain range for working with any microphone. Best-in class 120 dB dynamic range across all inputs & headphone outputs. Best-in class 125 dB dynamic range on monitor and line outputs.
- Comprehensive management of all inputs and outputs onto the SSL 18 low-latency mixer.
- Create the control room mix, plus an additional 4 custom monitor mixes with ease – HP A (stereo), HP B (stereo), LINE 3-4 (stereo or dual mono).
- Flexible Mirror Routing system to route any input or aux master directly to an output – perfect for feeding personal monitoring systems, external metering and outboard FX.
- Customise the monitoring section front panel buttons to suit your workflow.
- Flexible clocking options – internal (clock signal available on Wordclock output), or clock from incoming ADAT or S/PDIF
- Dedicated Talkback input with analogue Listen Mic Compressor (LMC). Talkback input can also be used in LINE mode for the creative processing of stems through the LMC when producing and mixing.
- 2 channels of S/PDIF (coaxial or optical).
- MIDI I/O on 3.5 mm TRS jacks.