Since now, when I wanted to record one instrument e.g., my electric guitar, I used either a small piece of hardware connected to my Macbook into which I plugged my instrument or thru my BOSS GT1000-Core multi-effects processor. Recently I decided to buy a microphone but didn’t have anything to connect it to my DAW. I will talk about this microphone in another article soon. To being able to use this microphone, I need to add an external box called “audio interface”. I started to look on Internet as well as Youtube to find the device that will allow me to plug this microphone and use it on my DAW.
My choice fell on a device from the Solid State Logic (SSL), a brand known worldwide for the quality of its professional mixing consoles. Of course, many other devices would have fit with my needs and here, I was clearly influenced by the reputation of the company that built this device but not only!
On Mac, the connection of the SSL2+ does not need any special driver/software. It’s full plug and play while on Windows, you’ll need to install a small driver provided by SSL on their web site. The device is self-alimented via the USB port. SSL provide two USB cable. One USB-C on both side and the second USB-A / USB-C for those who do not have any USB-C port on their computer.
Inputs
- The device proposes two separate input channels that are Combo XLR / 1/4″ Jack Input Sockets.
- One MIDI in
Outputs
- One MIDI out
- Balanced Line Outputs 1 & 2 (1/4″ TRS Jack Output Sockets) will allow you to connect your monitors or to a power amp if you are not using powered monitors
- Unbalanced Line Output 1 & 2 (RCA Output Sockets) duplicate the same signal of the ¼” TRS Jack but are unbalanced. You can, for e.g., connect a DJ mixer to the SSL2+ here.
- Phone A & Phone B. This allows to connect two headphones to the device. By default, both phones receive the same mix, but SSL added the possibility to change the output to 3-4 in place of 1-2. This will allow you to make a separate mix of your song from your DAW to accommodate the second user. This presents the advantage to not have to modify the mix you maybe already spent hour to setup.
- USB C port to connect the device to your computer
- One Kensington Security Slot to secure your device depending on where you use it
Front panel
- On the left part you have the two input channels. On the top of each channel, you have three small switches
- 48V (to add power condenser microphones)
- Line
- H-Z
When using the input for a keyboard the line switch must be selected. For a guitar or bass do not forget to engage the H-Z switch. For both, do not engage the 48V switch!
Bellow you have a meter that show you the amount of signal entering the channel and the button to control the gain.
Finally at the bottom you have a switch named 4K*. As described in the owner manual, engaging this switch allows you to add some extra analogue ‘magic’ to your input when you need it. It injects a combination of high-frequency EQ-boost, together with some finely tuned harmonic distortion to help enhance sounds.
*‘4K’ is the abbreviation given to any SSL 4000-series console. 4000-series consoles were manufactured between 1978 and 2003 and are widely regarded as one of the most iconic large-format mixing consoles in history, due to their sound, flexibility and comprehensive automation features. - On the right part, you have first the Monitoring Section which is composed by
- A large control button that allows you to set the level of sound you send to your monitors
- On top right, you have a monitor-mix controller. This allows you to have +/- of the source of what you are currently recording (e.g., your voice, keyboard, or guitar) vs the mix coming from your DAW. This is an extremely powerful feature that will help to compensate the latency problem you may encounter during the recording process. Also notice that a switch named “stereo” is selectable in the case you are recording a stereo source (e.g., synthesizer).
- The two last controls potentiometers are to adjust the volume of what you send to the headphones.
I use this device for two weeks and is extremely happy. The price is extremely correct (little less that CHF 250). The device makes the job and as per today I didn’t discover any defects (extraneous noises, breath etc.)
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