Solid State Logic SSL 18, 26-In / 28-Out, High-Performance USB Audio Interface Reviews

Solid State Logic SSL 18 Rack-mountable Audio Interface Introducing 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. 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. 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. The SSL 4000 series consoles (often referred to as ‘4K’) are renowned for imparting a unique ‘mojo’ to sounds and instruments that pass through them. This mojo comes from multiple stages of harmonic distortion from compressor VCAs, VCA faders, and other crucial components such as the transistor mix amps. Using modern components, SSL has developed a circuit that distils the two essential characteristics of the 4K sound into a single design. Legacy 4K Analogue Enhancement injects a controlled amount of finely-tuned, sweet-sounding harmonic distortion and a ‘forward’ yet musical high-frequency EQ boost into the signal path, giving your sound the 4K mojo and presence that artists and engineers have loved for decades.