Strong State Logic SSL 2 MKII and SSL 2+ MKII Audio Interface | Overview

MSRP: (2 MKII) £195 / (2+ MKII) £278

Nick Jennison critiques the SSL 2 MKII and SSL 2+ MKII interfaces. Bringing Strong State Logic’s studio-quality sound to any recording setup, these compact models characteristic SSL’s famend 4K Legacy preamps and a sturdy design. With 24-bit/192 kHz conversion for pristine audio seize, these interfaces are excellent for cell recording or residence studios, providing skilled readability for severe creators.



We guitar gamers have an attention-grabbing relationship with audio interfaces. We place a lot significance on “vibe,” “mojo,” and “sonic integrity” in our guitar gear — the best diodes in our inexperienced overdrive, the best classic capacitors on our tone pots, and the best Celestion Dollars from the best month of the best yr in our speaker cupboards — solely to report this meticulously curated assortment of guitar esoterica via whichever two-input USB interface was most cost-effective on Thomann.

Okay, I am being barely facetious right here. We reside in an period with numerous high-quality, low-cost audio interfaces that sound completely clear and linear, and can get your guitar sign into your DAW precisely with minimal fuss. However is that actually what we need in a guitar recording?

There is a purpose virtually each notable producer and engineer values “vibey” tools like classic consoles, mic pres, outboard EQs, and compressors over the cleanest-of-the-clean trendy interfaces. The “shade” (harmonic content material, refined saturation, and mild EQ curves) these gadgets impart is as a lot part of an awesome recording because the instrument, amplifier, and microphone. One of the crucial revered items of “vibey” studio tools is the venerable SSL 4000 sequence console.

Now, as a lot as I would prefer to say, “simply exit and purchase a 4000E,” the present used worth is round £25,000 — and it requires one thing resembling a life help system to run. Thankfully, SSL gives a line of fairly priced 2-channel interfaces that carry the identical shade and vibe as their iconic consoles, however at actually 1% of the worth: the SSL 2 MKII and SSL 2+ MKII.

Housed in an attractive, rugged steel enclosure, these interfaces help 32-bit recording at pattern charges as excessive as 192 kHz and are as clear and high-fidelity as they arrive — till you hit the “4K” button. This swap is a game-changer, including a high-end push, a little bit richness within the lows, and refined harmonic saturation and grit that is downright addictive. In truth, it is one thing I would depart on 99% of the time. This characteristic alone makes these interfaces definitely worth the small extra expense over comparable choices from different manufacturers. It took our barely sterile-sounding modeller and gave it the aggression, depth, and three-dimensional high quality that outline all our favourite recorded guitar tones, with out requiring any extra processing.

There’s extra to the SSL 2 and a pair of+ than simply gritty, colourful sound, although. When clear audio is required, the class-leading preamps and converters deal with absolutely anything you throw at them superbly. There’s loads of achieve for even the famously low-output SM7B with none considerable noise, and the instrument enter has distinctive headroom for high-output pickups like Fishman Fluences, whereas nonetheless dealing with a quiet passive P-Bass like a champ.

The primary distinction between the 2 fashions lies within the outputs. The SSL 2 contains a single pair of 1/4″ outputs and a pair of headphone outputs that share the identical combine. The two+ gives a second set of outputs, which can be utilized to arrange a further monitoring combine (despatched to the second headphone output), to feed a reamp field, and even to ship management voltages to a {hardware} synth if that is your factor. The two+ additionally contains MIDI out and in by way of conventional 5-pin DIN sockets — essential in my guide!

It is my rivalry that the SSL 2, and significantly the SSL 2+, are among the many finest interfaces for home-recording guitar gamers. They provide crystal-clear, class-leading audio and vibey, vintage-style colouration in a package deal that is untouchable at this worth level. Have been I out there for a easy, bus-powered 2-channel interface, I would get one among these in a heartbeat. Oh, and sure — the quantity knob goes to 11.

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solidstatelogic.com