Solid State Logic SSL 2

Compact and competitively priced, the Solid State Logic SSL 2 desktop 2×2 USB audio interface puts legendary SSL analog character, pristine conversion, and intuitive console-style workflow within reach for producers, home recordists, musicians, and songwriters on a tight budget.

Its two SSL-designed mic preamps—accessible via XLR-1/4″ combo inputs—feature class-leading gain, headroom, and noise specs for tracking mics, electric instruments, or line-level signals with ultraclean definition. When you do want some character and pizzazz for an input, simply press that channel’s “Legacy 4K” button to add a high-frequency boost and smooth harmonic distortion, both inspired by the classic and heralded 4000-Series consoles used on countless hit records.

Both input channels, which are arranged vertically like a large-format mixing board, also provide 5-segment LED metering and selectable 48V phantom power per channel. The SSL 2 is equipped with a pair of monitor outputs and a high-current headphone out with high dynamic range, independent level control via Alps pots, and a selectable mono/stereo monitor mix.

The layout of the interface harkens back to SSL’s classic large-format analog consoles, featuring a prominent monitor level knob and smaller controls for your headphone out and monitor mix. The monitor mix knob can be used to counter any latency while recording at high buffer rates in your DAW by sourcing the monitor signal directly from the input path. Or rotate the knob to the right to introduce more of the USB return from your computer for easy overdubs.

Bundled with the SSL 2 is the SSL Production Pack, an inspiring collection of software, sounds, and plug-ins that’ll not only help you get started, but also keep your work fresh track after track. Included are 1.5GB of loops and samples from Loopcloud, over 2000 sounds from Native Instruments, two DAWs (Pro Tools | First and Ableton Live Lite), and SSL’s own Vocalstrip 2 and Drumstrip plug-ins.