This is a review of the SSL2 audio interface.
You probably know SSL for its plug-ins.
They are best known for their mixer tables, which have been dominating professional studios since the early 80s.
The SSL2, priced at less than $300, is the latest addition to the SSL lineup from one of the recording world’s heavyweights.
What the hell is the finish like? So I got it and reviewed it.
This time, I also recorded a comparison sound.
I hope this will be helpful to you.
Let’s see what’s in the box.
Box.
Checking what’s inside, that’s the most exciting moment!
The only accessories are two manuals and two USB cables.
Both are for USB Type-C. The connection is 2.0.
Here comes the main body!
The top is metal, metal black. The sides are plastic black.
Here is a size comparison with the Sternberg UR22C.
The SSL2 is about 1.25 times longer in width.
The depth and height are almost the same.
The rumored 4K button.
Pressing this button is said to reproduce the tone of the SSL 4000 series…
Meter for input.
The knob for the main monitor output is huge. The design is the SSL!
All the connections are on the back. It’s very simple. Wiring will also be clear.
Try connecting it to my PC.
I connected it to my Mac with a USB cable.
No installer, just plug it in and go! It’s great to be able to use it right out of the box.
I recorded it right away.
I immediately tried recording.
The files recorded with “AIF” that I have tried so far are also lined up together.
The microphone is a Neumann M149, which is the best microphone I have.
Record an acoustic guitar!
I’ll be using Logic X’s supplied loops for the rhythm only.
All the files will be balanced without any plug-ins.
I recorded two acoustic guitars. I panned them left and right.
ZOOM UAC-2 + M149
KOMPLETE AUDIO 2 + M149
Focusrite Scarlett gen3 + M149
Focusrite Scarlett gen3 AIR機能on + M149
Steinberg UR22C + M149
Roland Rubix22 + M149
Yamaha AG03 + M149
SSL2 + M149
SSL2 4Kボタンon+ M149
Impressions of the recording
How was it, huh?
It’s only balanced by the faders, so there will be more differences when I mix it from here.
SSL2 seems to have a clearer outline! Especially when I press the 4K button, it’s something else!
The sound is much more forward.
I’ve also increased the level, so I turn it down when balancing, but It still has a sense of presence!
Good!
Extra Shure SM 58beta+ SSL2 4K
I also tried recording with the Shure SM 58beta.
-58beta took the grill for recording-
I didn’t have much time, so the only SSL2 file I have is the one with the 4K button turned on.
This one is also side by side with the AIF I have tried so far.
ZOOM UAC-2 +SM58beta
KOMPLETE AUDIO2 + SM58beta
Focusrite Scarlett gen3 Air + SM58beta
Roland Rubix22 + SM58beta
SSL2 4K + SM58beta
Yamaha AG03 + SM58beta
If you’re layering acoustic guitars on top of a project that has a lot of tracks, you might want to use the 58, which is chock full of sounds!
Is SSL2 the sound of SSL?
SSL2 was the sound of SSL!
Solid State Logic /SSL2 サウンドハウス
It has a core and a presence!
The sound is clear and distinct.
The sound was recorded exactly as I imagined.
-SSL9000-
It’s not the SSL4000, but it’s close to the sound I get from my 9000 console unit! I’m convinced.
I’ll try to get a chance to compare the SSL2 with my 9000 mic preamp next time!
The SSL2 is an excellent stand-alone mic preamp!
And the SSL2 is not just an audio interface, it’s also a very good standalone mic preamp/line amp!
If you already have one audio interface, you can use it as a separate mic pre (standalone).
The way to use it as a stand-alone is quite simple.
Just supply 5v power via USB cable.
–The charger of the smartphone is 5v-
You can get 5v from the USB port of your PC or the charger of your smartphone, so you don’t need to prepare anything in particular.
For more details on how to use it and the sound quality of the mic pre/line amp, please refer to the separate article, including reference sources, if you like!
To put it simply, the sound quality is very good. Simply put, the sound quality is very good, so good that I think the price is too low.
SSL2 is recommended for the following people
So that’s what I thought when I touched SSL2.
It is a bit expensive for a beginner, but if you buy it at the beginning, it will be very easy later on.
Even if you don’t know much about mixing or plug-ins, the quality of your sound source will be greatly improved just by having a good recording sound.
I would also like to recommend this product to people who want to move up from a beginner’s audio interface.
Solid State Logic /SSL2 サウンドハウス
For example, the UR22C, which I used as a comparison source, is also a very good AIF, but in terms of performance, I think the SSL2 wins hands down.
I think the biggest selling point of the UR22C is that it is “value for money”, but the SSL2 is also very value for money.
After all, it is an SSL.
It even comes with a 4000 series mic pre for less than $300.
And for two channels.
Depending on how you use it, I think it can compete with the top models.
It’s easy to monitor
And as a side note, it was very easy to monitor too!
It is also well equipped with a monitor mix function, but even with that, the sound was simply easy to hear and play.
Excellent headphone amp too!
summary
I haven’t been able to use it properly yet, but this is my first review for now.
I think it would be interesting to turn on the 4K button and record a PC sound source on the line.
I feel that it can be used in a variety of ways depending on your ideas.
If I notice anything, I’ll write about it again.
Thank you for reading!
