Solid State Logic has announced Revival 4000, an all-analogue channel strip rooted in the foundations of the 4000 Series mixing console, promising to revive the early-1980s signature SSL tone in a single rack unit.
True to SSL’s heritage, the Revival 4000 includes a dedicated balanced insert point for integrating outboard gear, an external sidechain input for dynamics control, and intuitive process re-ordering options to shape the signal path. For stereo operation, two units can be linked via the sidechain link feature.
The Revival 4000 provides a complete set of tools to track and mix with the character of the SSL 4000 Series. At the input stage lies a Jensen transformer-balanced mic preamp, delivering richness and pristine clarity to recordings. This circuit incorporates the same Jensen component found in the original E Series consoles. Following this is the B Series De-Esser, derived from the original 4000 B compressor/limiter topology, featuring a 10:1 ratio and 7kHz sidechain filter for musical control of sibilance.
The Compressor/Gate section found on the Revival 4000 is an authentic recreation of the E Series design, using a discrete class-A VCA that gave 1980s hit records their punch. Now enhanced with added flexibility from various 4000 dynamics revisions – soft-knee defeat, fast attack mode, and selectable logarithmic or linear release curves – it delivers the SSL channel strip dynamics sound with options tailored for modern production workflows.
The Revival 4000 features two of SSL’s most celebrated EQ designs, giving users the flexibility to shape their sound with precision and character – the classic Brown Knob (02) circuit famed for its grit and the Black Knob (242) circuit, originally developed in collaboration with Sir George Martin for AIR Studios. Additionally, there are re-routable high-pass and low-pass filters that, alongside the EQ, can be placed in the Dynamics sidechain for additional creative control.
‘With Revival 4000, we’re delivering the true SSL 4000 sound with complete authenticity,’ says Solid State Logic Senior Studio Product Manager, Andy Jackson. At its heart are the key components that defined an era – the Jensen transformer-coupled mic preamp, discrete class-A VCA dynamics, and the choice of both Brown and Black Knob EQs.
‘We’ve included the B-Series De-Esser in a creative new context, added flexible routing options for diverse processing flows, and introduced a balanced insert point for integration of outboard gear. The result is a unit that captures the unmistakable 1980s SSL character, while equipping today’s producers with the versatility demanded by modern productions.’
Available now, Revival 4000 is priced at £1,249.00 (ex VAT)/US$1,999 (plus tax).