Featuring cutting-edge 32-bit next-generation converters, eight high-performance SSL-designed mic preamps, two Hi-Z instrument inputs, the versatile SSL 360° advanced digital mixer, Legacy 4K analog enhancement, comprehensive ADAT and S/PDIF I/O, and MIDI I/O, the SSL 18 streamlines your workflow while expanding the capabilities of your studio setup.
- Next-generation 32-bit/192 kHz converters provide the platform for SSL 18’s analog design to shine, with unrivaled dynamic range performance of 120 dB across all microphone, line-level, and instrument inputs.
- Experience 125 dB dynamic range on the monitor and line outputs to hear your music with uncompromised fidelity.
- The dual-headphone outputs offer 120 dB of dynamic range for accurate monitoring in any environment.
- SSL 18 features eight high-performance SSL-designed mic preamps with switchable Mic/Line configuration. The preamps deliver ultralow-noise recordings and a huge dynamic range, making sure you capture every detail of the performance with stunning accuracy.
- The 2-stage circuitry ensures ultralow distortion while maintaining the natural character of the source—or flip them into Legacy 4K mode to add real analog saturation and the iconic 4000 Series sound to vocals, drums, and more.
- Located on the front panel, inputs 1 and 2 also offer instrument/Hi-Z inputs to capture DI’d guitars and vintage synths/drum machines.
- SSL 18 comes equipped with ten balanced line-level outputs located on the rear panel. To ensure optimal signal integrity and maximize headroom, line outputs 1&2 and 3&4 can be configured between +9 and +24 dBu. This ensures seamless compatibility with a wide range of studio monitors and vintage equipment operating at lower levels.
- Outputs 3 to 10 operate at +24 dBu, perfect for integrating professional outboard equipment.
- For producers, all outputs are DC-coupled and capable of sending control voltage to synthesizers and modular rigs.
- Custom headphone mixes with two independent headphone outputs, configurable for different types with Standard, High Sensitivity, and High Impedance settings.
- SSL 18's headphone outputs can also be repurposed as line-level outputs for added flexibility.
- The SSL 4000 series consoles (often referred to as "4K") are renowned for imparting a unique "mojo" to sounds and instruments that pass through them. This mojo comes from multiple stages of harmonic distortion from compressor VCAs, VCA faders, and other crucial components such as the transistor mix amps.
- Using modern components, SSL has developed a circuit that distills the two essential characteristics of the 4K sound into a single design. Legacy 4K Analog Enhancement injects a controlled amount of finely tuned, sweet-sounding harmonic distortion and a "forward" yet musical high-frequency EQ boost into the signal path, giving your sound the 4K mojo and presence that artists and engineers have loved for decades.
- A host of digital audio connections means that SSL 18 is ready to expand your I/O count whenever you are, with an additional 16 channels via ADAT and a further two via S/PDIF.
- SSL 18’s dedicated Word clock output provides rock-solid clocking for integrating external digital devices into your system.
- MIDI I/O are available on 3.5mm TRS jacks.
- SSL 18 features a full monitor controller section with built-in talkback input.
- Line outputs 1&2 and 3&4 offer alternative speaker switching with Alt, Talk, and Cut accessible via the monitor controls located on the front panel.
- Alternatively, customize the monitor controls via SSL 360° and tailor them to your workflow.
- Switch the talkback input into Line Mode and reprocess audio through the classic Listen Mic Compressor, perfect for crushing drums, parallel vocals, and more.
- The SSL 18 digital mixer offers comprehensive management of all inputs and outputs, as well as detailed, scalable input metering in the 360° Software.
- Create and manage the control room monitor mix.
- Configure a further four monitor mixes for performers.
- In addition, a flexible Mirror Routing system allows you to route any input or aux master directly to an output—perfect for feeding personal monitoring systems, external metering, and outboard FX.
- Create different templates for tracking, mixing, and more, then save them as a profile in the SSL 18 mixer.
- For podcasts, Stereo Loopback with selectable loopback source enables audiences to hear virtual guests or system audio with ease.
Software included:
- 6-months free Complete Access subscription
- 3-months free access to Auto-Tune Unlimited subscription
- 3-months free access to Arcade by Output subscription
- Perpetual licenses for SSL Vocalstrip 2 and Drumstrip plug-ins
- IK Multimedia Amplitube 5 SE
- Celemony Melodyne Essential
- Native Instruments Hybrid Keys & Komplete Start
- Ableton Live 11 Lite
- AAS Session Bundle plug-ins
- 1.5 GB Samples from Loopcloud
- 26-in/28-out USB-C audio interface for Mac and Windows
- 8 microphone-/line-level inputs
- 4K analog enhancement, Polarity Invert, High-Pass Filters, and 48V Phantom Power per channel
- Configurable analog insert points for inputs 1 and 2, great for tracking with analog gear
- Inputs 1 and 2 are switchable to instrument level
- Line inputs bypass preamp, perfect for integrating external preamps
- 10 balanced line outputs
- Alternative speaker switching is available for pairs 1&2 and 3&4
- +9/+24 dBu output level configuration options for pairs 1&2 and 3&4 to best match your monitors
- DC-coupled outputs are perfect for sending control voltages to synthesizers and modular rigs
- 2 independent, powerful headphone outputs with dedicated level controls
- 3 mode options to suit different headphone impedances – Standard, High Sensitivity, High Impedance
- Create custom headphone mixes
- +24 dBu operating level for inputs and outputs – perfect for integrating professional outboard gear as hardware inserts
- 16 channels of ADAT I/O at 44.1/48 kHz, 8 channels at 96 kHz
- Next-generation 32-bit/192 kHz converters
- Best-in-class, low-noise microphone preamps with outstanding –130.5 dBu EIN and 67 dB gain range for working with any microphone
- Best-in-class 120 dB dynamic range across all inputs & headphone outputs
- Best-in-class 125 dB dynamic range on monitor and line outputs
- Comprehensive management of all inputs and outputs onto the SSL 18 low-latency mixer
- Create the control room mix, plus an additional 4 custom monitor mixes with ease – HP A (stereo), HP B (stereo), LINE 3-4 (stereo or dual mono)
- Flexible Mirror Routing system to route any input or aux master directly to an output – perfect for feeding personal monitoring systems, external metering and outboard FX
- Customize the monitoring section front panel buttons to suit your workflow
- Flexible clocking options – internal (clock signal available on Word Clock output), or clock from incoming ADAT or S/PDIF
- Dedicated Talkback input with analogue Listen Mic Compressor (LMC)
- Talkback input can also be used in LINE mode for the creative processing of stems through the LMC when producing and mixing
- 2 channels of S/PDIF (coaxial or optical)
- MIDI I/O on 3.5 mm TRS jacks
The Focal Alpha 50 Evo Monitor is all about one thing: giving any engineer access to a stellar sound at a relatively wallet-friendly price point. With its bass-reflex rounded cabinet, versatile filtering, clean class-D amplification, and its bevy of connection points, this monitor can suit a wide variety of mixing rooms, giving mixing and post-production engineers a sound they can rely upon.
Between its frequency range of 45 Hz to 22 kHz, the monitor is neutral and accurate. You can drive it with unbalanced or balanced audio and adjust the sensitivity to match. Mount it against the wall or on the wall itself for multichannel immersive audio formats. An IEC power cable is included, as is a protective grille for the woofer.
The 5' Balanced 1/4" TRS Male to 3-Pin XLR Male Audio Cable from Hosa Technology is a professional audio cable that's perfect for touring and live sound applications where a device with a balanced 1/4" phone output needs to be connected to a device with an XLR input. The cable has top-quality REAN connectors for excellent durability and superior signal transfer.
The conductors are made from 24 AWG oxygen-free copper to maintain a clear signal path. The cable also has 90% OFC spiral shielding for terrific flexibility and effective EMI and RFI rejection. The cable is 5' long and has a 1/4" TRS phone connector at one end and a 3-pin XLR male connector at the other.
The small IP-S Isolation Pad from Auray is a monitor speaker isolation pad made from high-density acoustic foam. It is designed to decouple your monitor speakers from its resting surface by absorbing the monitor's vibrations. This stops reverberation through the desk or speaker stands, therefore preventing unwanted resonance. Removing these unwelcome vibrations results in greater depth of field, tighter low end and transient response, and a higher level of detail across the frequency spectrum.
