Solid State Logic SSL 4K E User Manual

Solid State Logic SSL 4K E User Manual

Channel strip plug-in

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SSL 4K E Channel Strip Plug-in - User Guide
Introduction & Key Features
The SSL 4K E channel strip plug-in brings the iconic SL 4000 E console to your
digital audio workstation, carrying the legacy of a console that defined a generation
of music production. The 4K E plug-in faithfully replicates the hallmark features of
the original console, including its renowned high- and low-pass filters, versatile
four-band equaliser, dynamic compressor/limiter, and precise gate/expander. It
also embodies the characteristic warmth and depth of the original console, thanks
to its meticulously emulated mic pre and VCA fader, offering a rich, analog feel to
your digital mixes. With the 4K E plug-in, the celebrated sound and functionality
of the SL 4000 E are seamlessly integrated into the modern digital audio
environment, providing producers and engineers with a timeless tool for artistic
expression.
This plug-in is a 360-enabled plug-in and integrates with the SSL 360° Plug-in
Mixer software, including first-class integration and hands-on control via the SSL
UC1, SSL UF8 and SSL UF1 hardware controllers.

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Summary of Contents for Solid State Logic SSL 4K E

  • Page 1 SSL 4K E Channel Strip Plug-in - User Guide Introduction & Key Features The SSL 4K E channel strip plug-in brings the iconic SL 4000 E console to your digital audio workstation, carrying the legacy of a console that defined a generation of music production.
  • Page 2 Key Features Authentic SL 4000E-series console emulation – capturing the iconic sound and character of the original! Immortalises SL 4000 E console sound in your DAW. Historically used in famous studios throughout the ‘80s & ’90s, shaping the sound of iconic albums and tracks. Celebrated by top mixing engineers like Andy Wallace, Chris Lorde-Alge, Tom Lorde-Alge, Alan Moulder, and Spike Stent.
  • Page 3: Release Notes

    Enhanced output section with virtual fader and stereo image control, including Fader Level, Pan, and Width parameters. Compressor mix control. Enhanced UC1/UF8/SSL 360° Plug-in Mixer integration for comprehensive DAW control and synchronisation. HQ mode for optimal audio quality, utilising advanced processing such as oversampling.
  • Page 4 The versions listed below are the latest on which we have officially tested the the product. It is possible for our products to work on platforms outside of this list. However, if your host, host version or operating system is not listed here, we recommend you demo the product before purchase to confirm that it works correctly.
  • Page 5 Simply run the installer and you should be good to go. You can find more information about how to authorise your plug-ins below. Licensing Visit iLok, Licensing and Activation for guidance in activating your SSL plug-in. Overview 1) Track Name The name of the track is automatically provided from your DAW, if supported (VST3/AAX/AU only).
  • Page 6 Input trim control with +/-20 dB gain, polarity (ϕ) phase invert & mic pre-amp 'drive' circuit with automatically gain-compensated gain stage for adding saturation without effecting the level of the signal. 5) EQ 4-band EQ with LF, LMF, HMF & HF bands - including bell options on LF & HF bands and additional high- and low-pass filters.
  • Page 7 16) Undo/Redo The Undo/Redo stack can be accessed via the undo/redo buttons. 15) A/B The A/B buttons allow you to temporarily store two plug-in states, and quickly compare between them 360° Plug-in Mixer + UC1/UF8/UF1 This plug-in is a 360-enabled plug-in, and integrates with the SSL 360° Plug-in Mixer.
  • Page 8 SSL UC1 SSL hardware for your SSL software For in-depth information about how to use the SSL UC1 hardware plug-in controller with your 360-enabled plug-ins, please visit the SSL UC1 user guide. To find out more about the UC1, visit the product page on our website: UC1 | Solid State Logic...
  • Page 9 SSL UF8 Accelerated creativity, intelligent production For in-depth information about how to use the SSL UF8 studio and DAW controller with your 360-enabled plug-ins, please visit the SSL UF8 user guide. To find out more about the UF8, visit the product page on our website: UF8 | Solid State Logic SSL UF1...
  • Page 10: Input Section

    State Logic To find out more about the SSL 360° Plug-in Mixer and integrated hardware, please visit the product page on our website: SSL 360 | Solid State Logic. Input Section The Input Section provides two signal paths; a clean one, and an analogue one.
  • Page 11: Dynamics Section

    EQ Type The 4000 E had several design iteration, and included different EQ and filters over its lifetime. the SSL 4K E offers all three. 1. Black Button In = '242 Black' EQ and filters. 2. Orange Button In = '132 Orange' EQ and filters.
  • Page 12 pinnacle design reference, with a soft-knee, FAST/SLOW attack options and logarithmic release curve.
  • Page 13 Compressor Mix Determines the parallel mix amount of wet signal added to the Dry pre-compressed signal. 100% means the signal is entirely the signal passed through the compressor section, and 0% is an entirely dry signal path following the previous channel strip processing sections. 50% would be equal amounts wet to dry signal.
  • Page 14: Output Section

    Output Section The Output Section adds additional harmonic saturation with the modelled dbx 202 ‘gold can’ VCA fader from the 4000 E console - the FADER LEVEL parameter. This fader controls the output signal of the plug-in and can be driven up to +12 dB to add another colour of harmonic distortion, with an additional 'clean' output trim to compensate for additional gain added at this stage.
  • Page 15 Width* Using mid-side processing, the WIDTH control can fully mono the signal (0) when turning fully anti-clockwise, or increases stereo width by increasing the 'sides' volume when turning clockwise (up to 2). Default state (1) means is standard stereo operation, and no mid/side processing is applied to the signal.
  • Page 16 Please note: EQ > DYNAMICS > FILTER is not possible. In SSL's analogue consoles, the filter will always occur directly before the EQ unless 'Filter to Input' is activated. Filters to Sidechain Use the 'FILTERS' radio button to move the filters from the input signal path to the sidechain path.
  • Page 17: Advanced Settings

    Sidechaining The 'EXT' (External) toggle in the Routing Menu feeds the Dynamics module fed from an external sidechain, routed from your DAW. Check your DAWs documentation on how to route a signal to a plug-ins sidechain input. e.g. you could route a kick drum signal to the sidechain input of a plug-in instance on your bass guitar track, and toggle 'EXT' in.
  • Page 18 Redo (right arrow) re-does the next action in the history stack. Presets All of our plug-ins ship with carefully designed presets to aid your workflow. Factory presets are included in the plug-in installation, installed in the following locations: macOS: /Library/Application Support/Solid State Logic/PlugIns/Presets/[Plug-in Name] Windows: C:\ProgramData\Solid State Logic\PlugIns\Presets\[Plug-in Name]...
  • Page 19: Version Number

    Switching between presets can be achieved by clicking the left/right arrows in the preset management section of the plug-in GUI, and by clicking on the preset name which will open the preset management display. The Preset Management menu reflects the folder structure of the preset folder. Revert Changes and Delete Revert Changes discards any changes to the current preset.
  • Page 20 Note that if resizing would cause the plug-in to go offscreen, then this option will be disabled. This is designed to prevent DAW resizing bugs that exist in some DAWs. You can also right-click anywhere on the background of the plug-in to change the scale.
  • Page 21: Built-In Help

    Built-in Help This plug-in features built-in contextual help. To turn this feature on, click the '?' in the bottom right-hand corner. Mouse over elements of the GUI to see some information about the feature. Click the tooltip to cycle through the pages. HQ mode Click the HQ button introduces processing such as oversampling under-the-hood - allowing you to sacrifice CPU for higher quality audio, especially when introducing...

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