Solid State Logic SSL 18 USB Audio Interface

Solid State Logic SSL 18 USB Audio Interface

26-in/28-out USB-C Audio Interface with 8 Mic/Line Inputs, 10 Balanced Line Outs, 16-ch. ADAT I/O, Stereo S/PDIF I/O, and Low-latency Software Mixer

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The SSL of Audio Interfaces

The SSL 18 represents the flagship of Solid State Logic’s acclaimed range of USB audio interfaces. As you would expect from the industry leader, it’s driven by cutting-edge technology to deliver world-class sound and packed with features to supercharge your workflow. Compatible with macOS and Windows, SSL 18 integrates seamlessly with your DAW and other professional equipment, making it the ultimate hub for recording, mixing, and mastering in your project studio. This high-performance, 26 x 28 USB-C audio interface boasts SSL’s pristine microphone preamps with a healthy 67dB of gain on tap to accommodate every microphone in your locker — even low-output passive ribbon mics. SSL 18’s smart feature set includes eight microphone/line-level inputs, next-gen 32-bit converters, an advanced digital mixer, Legacy 4K analog enhancement, and a robust set of digital I/O. For artists, engineers, and producers seeking class-leading performance and value in a rackmount USB audio interface, the quest is over. The Solid State Logic SSL 18 clearly leads the pack.

Unrivaled analog and digital performance

The first 19-inch rackmount interface from Solid State Logic, the SSL 18 benefits from the company’s half-century of analog and digital engineering expertise. Delivering signature SSL sound and a session-ready feature set, along with rock-solid performance and reliability that audio professionals have come to trust, SSL 18 raises the bar for USB audio interfaces in its class. Equipped with SSL’s next-generation 32-bit/192kHz AD/DA converters, SSL 18 delivers an unparalleled dynamic range of 120dB across all microphone, line-level, and instrument inputs to capture and render your sources like never before. With 125dB of dynamic range on its monitor and line outputs, SSL 18 allows you to hear your music in stunning high fidelity. And SSL18’s dual headphone outputs boast 120dB of dynamic range, so working with headphones is an equally scintillating experience.

State-of-the-art SSL preamps

SSL 18 is equipped with eight high-performance preamps in a switchable mic/line configuration. Spec’d with ultra-low noise and massive dynamic range, these advanced preamplifiers ensure that you capture every nuance of every performance in stunning detail. Featuring proprietary two-stage circuitry, these exceptional pres deliver signals with ultra-low distortion while preserving the natural character of the source. Looking for classic SSL 4000 series character and punch? Flip the preamps into Legacy 4K mode to add euphonic analog saturation and warmth to vocals, drums, and more. While mic/line combo inputs three through eight are fitted to the rear of the chassis, mic/line/instrument inputs one and two are located in the front panel for convenient capture of electric bass, guitars, keyboards, drum machines, and other DI sources.

4K Legacy analog enhancement

When pushed, Solid State Logic 4000 series consoles (lovingly dubbed “4K” by their legions of aficionados) famously imparted a certain mojo to vocals and instruments that passed through them — an aggressive approach to gain staging often referred to among the SSL cognoscenti as “bending the board.” This unique sonic character stemmed from multiple stages of harmonic distortion, courtesy of compressor VCAs, VCA faders, and other console components like transistor mix amps. The SSL 18’s 4K Legacy analog enhancement distills the two inimitable characteristics of the 4K sound — sweetly musical-sounding harmonic distortion and an assertive high-frequency EQ boost — into a modern circuit that gives your sound the 4K punch and presence that artists, engineers, and producers have sought after for decades.

Supercharge your workflow

Drawing upon decades of industry leadership, Solid State Logic knows what you need when it’s crunch time and you’re juggling multiple projects. That’s why SSL 18’s digital audio connectivity includes 16 channels of ADAT plus stereo S/PDIF to ensure that you can expand your I/O count whenever you need to. You also get a dedicated word clock output that provides rock-solid clocking for integrating external digital devices into your rig. The interface also features a full, customizable monitor controller section with talkback and alternative speaker switching. You can even switch the talkback input into line mode and reprocess audio through SSL’s classic Listen Mic Compressor — ideal for crushing a drum bus, vocal doubles, and more!

SSL 18 mixer, powered by SSL 360

The SSL 18 mixer offers comprehensive management of all I/O, as well as scalable input metering via Solid State Logic 360 software. This well-designed mixer makes it effortless to create and manage your control room monitor mix and configure four additional monitor mixes for artists. In addition, a flexible Mirror Routing system makes it easy to route any input or aux master directly to an output — perfect for feeding personal monitoring systems, external metering, or outboard effects units. You can even create different templates for tracking, mixing, and more, and save them for instant recall as profiles in the SSL 18 mixer.

The Solid State Logic legacy

Since its founding by Colin Sanders in 1969, Solid State Logic has followed a design philosophy that prioritizes the needs of artists, engineers, and producers. The company's products facilitate creativity by removing technical impediments and streamlining workflows. Firmly ensconced in the pantheon of pro audio greats, SSL helped shape the history of pro audio. Impressively, it continues to innovate, bringing its uncompromising quality and signature sonics to a new generation of artists and creators. 

Solid State Logic SSL 18 Features:

• High-performance 26 x 28 USB-C audio interface for macOS and Windows
• Class-leading audio performance
• 8 microphone/line-level inputs
• Pristine microphone preamps with outstanding -130.5dBu EIN and 67dB of gain range for working with any mic
• 4K analog enhancement, polarity invert, highpass filters, and 48V phantom power per channel
• Configurable analog insert points for inputs 1 and 2, ideal for tracking with analog gear
• Inputs 1 and 2 switchable to instrument-level
• Line inputs bypass preamp stage
• 10 DC-coupled, balanced line-outputs
• Alternative speaker switching available for pairs 1-2 and 3-4
• +9dBu/+24dBu output level configuration options for pairs 1-2 and 3-4 to match your monitors
• DC-coupled outputs are perfect for sending CV to synthesizers and modular rigs
• 2 powerful independent headphone outputs with dedicated level controls
• 3 headphone mode options to suit different impedances: Standard, High Sensitivity, High Impedance
• Supports custom headphone mixes
• Dedicated Talkback input with Listen Mic Compressor (LMC)
• Talkback input can also be used in Line mode for processing of stems through the LMC
• 16 channels of ADAT I/O at 44.1/48kHz, 8 channels at 96kHz
• 2 channels of S/PDIF (coaxial or optical)
• MIDI I/O on 3.5mm TRS jacks
• Flexible clocking: internal (clock signal available on word clock output), or clock from incoming ADAT or S/PDIF
• Next-generation 32-bit/192kHz converters
• Best-in class 120dB dynamic range across all inputs and headphone outputs
• Best-in class 125dB output dynamic range on monitor and line outputs
• SSL 18 low-latency Mixer powered by SSL 360
• Comprehensive management of all inputs and outputs with the SSL 18 low-latency Mixer
• Create and manage the control room monitor mix
• Create 4 custom monitor mixes with ease: HP A (stereo), HP B (stereo), Line 3-4 (stereo or dual mono)
• Flexible Mirror Routing system routs any input or aux master directly to an output
• Customize the front-panel monitoring section buttons to accommodate your workflow
• Save/load SSL 18 Mixer profiles for various workflows to create tracking and mixing templates and more
• Stereo Loopback with selectable loopback source
• SSL Production Pack (a $1,100+ value) included with registration

STL Pro Audio is an authorised dealer for SSL in New Zealand.