Solid State Logic has released an emulation plug-in of one of the rarest recording consoles in the world, the SL 4000 B-Series. While only six physical SL 4000 B consoles were built, they were installed in some of the most iconic studios in the world including The Stone Room at Virgin’s Townhouse Studio and Record Plant in LA.
SSL believes the 4K B plug-in to be its most authentic channel strip model to date, reaching down to component level and following the original hardware schematics. The 4K B also presents a contrasting ‘sonic flavour’ to the Channel Strip 2 SSL 9000 series plug-in.
‘The 4K B represents a new milestone in what is possible using plug-in technology, done the way that only SSL can do’ says Chief Technology Officer, Enrique Perez. ‘We’ve not only used original hardware schematics to meticulously model the 4000 B console, but created analogue simulations and detailed hardware prototypes, making the 4K B plug-in ultra-realistic; we’re particularly pleased with the Mic Drive and Dynamics section, they’re full of early SSL character.’
Released in 1976 and famously used in London’s Townhouse Studios, the SL 4000 B can be heard on The Buggles’ ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’, Phil Collins’ ‘In the Air Tonight’ and Peter Gabriel’s ‘Intruder’ among others.
The SL 4000B console was unique specifically in its EQ, dynamics and transformer-based mic preamp design. The B-Series EQ was a precursor to the Brown Knob EQ found on the 4000 E, while the 4K B dynamics section is based on the SSL Bus Compressor. The Mic Drive section is characterised by nonlinear analogue character thanks to its Jensen JE-115K-E transformer. Additional authentic analogue character is added via the dbx 202 ‘black can’ VCA fader.
In parallel with the new 4K B plug-in announcement, SSL has made enhancements to its 360° software ecosystem (V1.4). This includes an update to the 360° Plug-in Mixer ecosystem, which allows seamless integration of the new 4K B plug-in – making it fully interactive with SSL’s UC1 and UF8 control surfaces. Additionally, Channel Strip 2 and Bus Comp 2 have been updated to be fully Apple Silicon M1/ARM native. The updated Channel Strip 2 plug-in also includes new features such as Pan, Width and Compressor Mix controls.
The 4K B plug-in is designed to work seamlessly within SSL’s own 360° software ecosystem and with its UC1 and UF8 control surfaces. Customers can access it through the SSL Complete subscription, or as part of the software bundle included with SSL’s UC1 control surface. Additionally, UC1 and UF8 control surface owners will be able to access the entire range of SSL plug-ins via an extended six-month SSL Complete trial. Meantime, anyone can access a 14-day trial of 4K B by downloading the plug-in and clicking the ‘try’ button when prompted. Alternatively, users can trial SSL Complete for 30 days, which includes 4K B and every other SSL plug-in.
The SSL 360° V1.4 update (now also M1/ARM native) features adds Luna and Pyramix DAW profiles for the UF8, and deeper Plug-in Mixer DAW integration for Ableton Live, Studio One and Reaper on the UC1 – including Follow Selected DAW Track, Solo and Mute.
More: www.solidstatelogic.com
