Audio interfaces continue to be a booming segment of the pro audio market, as companies from PreSonus to Focusrite to Universal Audio offer myriad ways for home recordists and mobile engineers to record tracks with ease.
Today, Solid State Logic (SSL)—a legacy company best known for its large-format mixing consoles of the '70s and '80s—enters the scene, shrinking down some of its accrued tech and know-how into a pair of desktop two-input interfaces.
The SSL 2 and SSL 2+ are both USB-powered and offer 24-bit/192kHz conversion as well as a function the company calls Legacy 4K mode. "Inspired by the studio-favorite, hit-making SSL 4000 series consoles," the company writes, the Legacy 4K mode "gives you the ability to add extra analogue character and sparkle to your input sources."
The differences between the SSL 2 and SSL 2+ are minimal, with the Plus model offering expanded input and output options: an "additional headphone output with independent monitor mix, MIDI I/O, and additional un-balanced outputs for DJ Mixers."
According to SSL, the shared features of the interfaces include:
- Alps Pots throughout
- Neutrik XLR and Jack Connectors
- AKM AD/DA Converters – as used in our acclaimed Alpha-Link I/O products
- Mic Preamp EIN: -130.5 dB; Gain Range: 62 dB
- Max Instrument Input Level: +15 dBu; Max Line Input Level: +24 dBu
- Monitor Output Dynamic Range: 112 dB; Max Output Level: + 12.5 dBu
- Headphone Output(s) Dynamic Range: 111 dB; Max Output: +10 dBu
And in a move that follows PreSonus, Universal Audio, and other manufacturers, the new SSL interfaces will include a free software bundle, the SSL Production Pack, that includes light versions of Pro Tools and Ableton Live, along with a collection of Loopcloud samples and "SSL's own studio-grade Native plugins, giv[ing] you an incredible arsenal of tools for refining your recordings."
Be on the lookout for availability on Reverb soon. The SSL 2 will retail for $229.99 USD, while the SSL 2+ will cost $279.99. Explore all vintage, used, and new SSL gear on Reverb, and click here for all the latest product announcements and news around the NAMM 2020 convention.