Best Plugins: The Great SSL Channel Strip Roundup
SSL is one of the most iconic names in the recording industry, often credited with revolutionizing the mixing process with their innovative 4000 E Series consoles.
Known for its bright, punchy sound, the SL 4000 E has been used on countless hit records and practically defined the sound of the ’80s. Over the years, the 4000 E console has become one of the most emulated units of all time, and today almost every professional mixing engineer has used an SSL signal processor in one form or another.
In this roundup, we’re going to break down the best of the best SSL 4000 Channel Strip emulations to help you determine which plugin is right for you. But first, let’s talk about the difference between the 4000 E Series and 4000 G Series consoles.
First Came the SL 4000
There are countless plugin iterations of the classic SSL channel strip. Which is best for your toolkit?
Solid State Logic was founded in 1969 by the late great Colin Sanders, but it wasn’t until 1975 that they would introduce their first console—the SL 4000 A Series.
The following year, SSL introduced the SL 4000 B Series console, which garnered the attention of studios all around the world. They continued to release revised editions of the SL 4000 console until 1979 when they released the classic “E” Series console.
The SL 4000 E Series was unlike any other console to date—it was the first to feature a dedicated compressor/gate on every channel, as well as a master bus compressor.
Many engineers cite the 4000 E with starting the trend of heavy, aggressive dynamics processing we know and love today. The original E Series’ 4-band semi-parametric EQ included options to toggle between shelf and bell shapes on the top and bottom bands, as well as dedicated high-pass and low-pass filters.
Early E-Series consoles used a “Brown Knob” EQ circuit, which always left the filters engaged, rolling off the very lowest and highest frequencies. In 1983, it was replaced with the “Black Knob” 242 EQ, developed with the help of the legendary George Martin, which corrected the filtering quirk and made a few minor changes to gain range, frequency selection and filter slope, offering a slightly different sound.
In 1987, SSL introduced the 4000 G Series console, which also featured a number of changes. While the dynamics modules on the E and G series consoles were nearly identical, the G Series is said to have a softer, more gentle EQ than the E Series thanks to the new 292 or 383 “G-EQ” circuitry.
The G Series EQ used steeper filter slopes and incorporated a variable proportional-Q design, which increases the Q value the more you boost or cut the signal—much like a Pultec.
The G Series consoles also replaced the shelf/bell shape buttons for the low and and high bands with “LMF/3” and “HMFx3” switches for the mid-bands, which would divide the Low Mid frequency or multiply the High Mid frequency by a factor of three— allowing for a single knob to cover even more of the frequency spectrum while still being usable.
OK, now that you know the basic differences between the E Series and G Series EQs, let’s take a look at what each of the top plugins that emulates them has to offer.
Brainworx bx_console 4000 E & bx_console 4000 G ($299 each)
Winner: Best Overall SSL Channel Strip Plugin
The bx_console channel strip plugins—newly revamped with help from SSL’s own engineer—are arguably even more powerful than the original SSL hardware channel strips.
Utilizing Brainworx’s proprietary Tolerance Modeling Technology (or “TMT”), they’re able to accurately replicate the natural variations in individual components from channel to channel—just like on a real console.
Brainworx offers two SSL channel strip emulations modeled after the E and G consoles respectively: The bx_console 4000 E and bx_console 4000 G. Both channel strips offer 72 unique channels through the use of TMT, allowing you to more effectively recreate the sound of an actual physical SSL console in your DAW.
bx_console E utilizes the iconic black and brown knob EQ combination and “shelf” switch on the low and high bands, while bx_console G features the updated orange and pink knobs with “x by 3” and “/ by 3” buttons to access a slightly wider frequency range.
While both these bx_consoles offer their own unique EQ sections, they share a very similar dynamics section. Both modules employ the standard VCA channel compressor/limiters and expander/gates. However, with the press of a button, the compressor can be toggled from the E Series channel compressor to the G Series bus compressor on either plug-in.
bx_console also adds modern features like wet/dry mix controls for parallel compression, a dedicated THD control for dialing in the perfect amount of distortion, and optional secondary release-time and HPF controls for the compressor.
Not only does bx_console totally nail the iconic SSL sound, it’s one of the only channel strips to recreate the channel-to-channel variations you would find on an actual console. All that, coupled with some new, modern features that are only practical in software means that bx_console is more versatile than any hardware channel strip can be. If it included a proper preamp emulation, it would be the perfect SSL plug-in.
Universal Audio SSL 4000 E Channel Strip ($299.00)
Runner Up: Best Overall SSL Channel Strip Plugin
Universal Audio’s take on the E series channel strip includes preamp modeling not found in some of the other emulations here.
Universal Audio is one of the leading hardware emulators in the audio industry, and they didn’t hold back with their SL 4000 E Channel Strip plug-in.
On the surface, UAD’s SSL emulation seems like most of the other plugins on this list: It features 4 bands of classic SSL-style EQ, which can be toggled between Type E “black knob” and “brown knob” EQ curves, as well as standard filter and a dynamics sections.
However, this is one of the only channel strip plugins to include an emulation of the SSL preamps, which feature real “sweet spots” for even more harmonics and character.
While it lacks the TMT technology found in the Brainworx offering, the inclusion of the preamp emulation is a welcome offering, and makes this a great option for those who are tracking, particularly through a Universal Audio interface, that can apply that preamp’s character on the way in.
The one drawback is that, you’ll need some form of Universal Audio hardware in order to use this plug-in, and a UA interface to take full advantage of the unison preamp technology.
Solid State Logic Native Channel Strip ($329.00)
Winner: Most Accurate Emulation
Originally released as the “Duende” series, which required outboard DSP processors, the now-native “SSL Native Channel Strip” is an impressive emulation of the SSL sound from SSL itself.
Channel Strip is modeled after the emulations in the SL 300 digital consoles, which in turn are rumored to be based on the later and even more flexible SL 9000 Series consoles.
If you’re looking for the authentic SSL sound, this is as close as you’re going to get without dropping a few grand for shipping, handling and installation.
In addition to the traditional SSL features, the EQ section of Channel Strip can be toggled from E to G series EQ characteristics with a single button. In addition to the standard Fast Attack controls in the dynamic section, Channel Strip also features options for soft RMS or peak style compression. Finally, Channel Strip also features a surprisingly intuitive “variable process order control”, which allows you to reorder sections with more flexibility than the hardware using a simple drag-and-drop window.
SSL Channel Strip offers a stunning recreation of the SSL look, feel and sound. This is a serious contender for best overall plug-in, but it’s also the most expensive and only features a few of the modern updates found in some other models, which kept me from crowning this one the overall winner.
Acustica Audio Sand FAB4 ($173.53 [£149])
Winner: Most Unique
Acustica’s SAND is a novel take on the SSL-style channel strip that offers several emulations in one package.
SAND is possibly the most unique SSL channel strip emulation available.
Technically, it’s not even an SSL channel strip, as it is a whole suite of SSL-style plugins.
Rather than emulating a single version of the SSL, Acustica Audio used a unique dynamic convolution technique to “sample” the sonic characteristics of a variety of different SSL consoles for SAND and put together a massive plugin suite featuring four main components: EQs & filters, bus compression, preamp emulation and routing control.
The one drawback is that the Sand plugin suite requires quite a bit of processing power, which means that on most systems you’ll rarely get to use the robust routing controls. Instead, you’ll probably wind up like me using the three individual processors: SAND EQ, SAND BUS and SAND PRE.
SAND EQ features two EQ & Filter variants—type A and type B. The type A curves are sampled from the SL 4000 G+ console and feature two fully-parametric center bands and two semi-parametric shelves. Type B curves are sampled from an SL 5000 series console and are noticeably more subtle. They feature four fully-parametric center bands with options to select bell or shelf shapes for the high and low bands. Both types offer slightly different approaches to dialing in the specific frequency you’re looking for.
SAND BUS features two bus compressor variants—type A and type C. Type A is modeled after the original SL 4000 G bus compressor, while Type C is modeled after “some other familiar software compressors.” SAND BUS also features a special button, emblazoned with the Acustica Audio logo, that engages “Insane Mode” likely modeled after the “Crush” mode on the Alan Smart C2, long considered one of the most popular hardware SSL bus compressor derivatives. SAND BUS also features an intuitive ShMod (Shape Modulation) control, which allows you to fine-tune the attack curve of the compressor.
SAND PRE is pretty straightforward and features an input gain knob along with five options for specific console emulations. The MIX preamps were sampled directly from the line input of an SSL console channel-strip. MIX A offers accurate reproduction of the SL 4000 preamps you know and love, while MIX B “is a masterpiece sampled directly from a rare console.” The BUS channels are designed to emulate the sound of the mix bus of those same consoles with a third option modeled after the Quad Bus Compressor preamp.
SAND offers an incredibly versatile emulation of SSL hardware. Unfortunately, the robust feature set creates so much latency it almost renders the plugin unusable on all but the most powerful systems. On my system, it could take SAND almost a full second to respond to user input, which makes it incredibly difficult to hear what you’re doing. However, SAND definitely gets bonus points for their user manual, which is equal parts travel guide and Xerox’d technical manual from 1987.
Other Contenders
IK Multimedia T-RackS 5 British Channel + White Channel ($124.99 each)
IK Multimedia’s White Channel.
IK Multimedia offers two different SSL channel strip variations in their T-RackS suite for half the price of the winners on our list.
They have an emulation of a vintage SL 4000 console called the “British Channel”, and an emulation of a modern SL 9000 console called the “White Channel”.
The British Channel includes all of the features of the original channel strip as well as a few new ones, like the option to toggle the EQ from original E series “brown knob” circuits to the updated “black knob” design. Switching from black to brown also alters the frequency centers and gain ranges to accurately reflect the respective hardware models.
The White Channel offers a more subtle, transparent approach to signal processing. Known for its “pristine” sound, the White Channel features a near-identical interface to the British Channel, and even includes an EQ switch to toggle between E and G series EQ Curves. The dynamic section also adds a “hold” knob to the expander/gate for more precise control.
While the T-RackS plug-ins are excellent recreations of the SSL sound at an affordable price point, they don’t offer much in the way of additional features, which makes it tough for them to stand out in a sea of top-tier SSL emulations.
Waves SSL E-Channel Strip, G-Channel Strip ($249.00 each)
Waves’ SSL Emulations were some of the earliest available.
It would be a crime to talk about SSL channel strip emulations and not mention the Waves E-Channel Strip and G-Channel Strip plug-ins. As one of the first SSL channel strip emulations on the market, many engineers have used the Waves SSL emulations in a mix at some point in their careers.
While these plug-ins may not boast the same robust feature set as some of the other, even newer options on this list, they’re definitely worth considering for your collection.
The Waves SSL E-Channel Strip is modeled after the SL 4000 E series console and features “black knob” EQ curves. Unfortunately, there’s no option to switch to the “brown knob” EQ design. The Waves SSL G-Channel is modeled after the SL 4000 G Series console and features the dynamics section of the SL 4000 channel strip with the G Series EQ.
Honorable Mentions
Finally, there are a few other companies that deserve special mention for their SSL emulations. The first two aren’t technically channel strips—they’re individual modules for EQ and dynamics processing.
Native Instruments offers excellent emulations of the SSL 4000 console channel EQ and channel dynamics modules with their SOLID EQ and SOLID Dynamics plug-ins for $99.00 each.
Similarly, Slate Digital offers the FG-S and FG-401 EQ and compressor plug-ins modeled after the SL 4000 E Series console, which offer surpassingly accurate, although feature-limited emulations.
Finally, Softube’s Console 1 is a new take on the DAW controller that includes a spot-on emulation of the SL 4000 E channel strip (among many other iconic processors). While the plug-in offers all of the classic features you would expect, the true charm of this unit is the controller itself—there’s something about the tactile response of twisting knobs that makes you feel more connected to the music.
At the end of the day, any plugin on this list will likely get you where you want to go. They all deliver the classic SSL sound and familiar controls to help you craft mixes that jump out of the speakers. Now that you’ve got the proper tools, the rest is up to you!
Did we miss any plug-ins? What’s your favorite SSL channel strip emulation?
Brad Pack is an award-winning audio engineer and writer based in Chicago, IL. He currently owns and operates Punchy Kick, a professional mixing and mastering studio that specializes in pop punk, emo, punk, grunge, and alternative music.
He has been helping artists connect with fans through emotionally resonant mixes, cohesive masters, and insightful guidance for over 10 years. Check out his website PunchyKick.com or say hi on Instagram @PunchyKick.
Please note: When you buy products through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission.