SSL 4000 E Channel Strip

SSL® 4000 E Channel Strip

Turn Your DAW into a Classic SSL Console

Unlock the iconic sound of the SSL 4000 console with the SSL 4000 E Channel Strip, now available as a UAD Native plug-in. This authentic British channel strip brings the warmth, punch, and unmistakable analog character that has shaped countless hit records from Nirvana’s “Nevermind” to Bruno Mars’ - "24K Magic".*

With precise EQ, dynamic control, and the classic VCA compressor, the SSL 4000 Channel Strip provides unparalleled versatility and sonic excellence. Whether you're mixing vocals, instruments, or entire sessions, the SSL 4000 E Channel Strip delivers the unmistakable SSL sound.

Turn Your DAW into a Classic SSL Console

In crafting the new SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection, UA’s team of engineers dug deep into the SSL 4000 E hardware, faithfully modeling the original preamp’s Jensen input transformers and dbx "gold-can" VCA output section. By capturing the preamp’s signature nonlinear amp behaviors you get all of the SSL hallmarks — expansive, punchy, deep, assertive character for all of your sources.

Get Famed British EQ in Spades

The SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection plug-in features both the Type E 242 “black knob” and 001 “brown knob” four-band EQ and filters. The “brown” EQ is easy to dial in and musical, while the “black” is more surgical and clean. Both offer iconic SSL band interactions and amp modeling, adding punch to drums, presence to vocals, and heft to bass.

Expansion, Compression & More

From subtle dynamics control to in-your-face smack, the E Series’ compressor gives guitars presence, makes vocals “pop,” and can add clarity, punch, and depth to your drum bus. PRE-DYN controls let you place the EQ or filters before the dynamics section for tons of different timbres, while the DYN-SC buttons provide frequency-dependent compression using the EQ filters, cut filters, or both.

Add Depth and Openness with any UAD hardware

Of course, the SSL 4000 E Channel Strip Collection isn’t just for Apollo owners. UAD-2 owners can use the SSL E Channel Strip on any source, without going outside the box. With the SSL E Channel Strip's complete console channel emulation, plus the included DSP-lite SSL E Channel Strip Legacy plug-in, you can craft your projects with Platinum‑selling sound.

Unison Technology for Apollo

Harnessing UA’s groundbreaking Unison technology, the new SSL 4000 E Channel Strip plug-in gives you the hardware’s mic/line preamp impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and exact circuit behaviors. Just insert the plug-in into the Apollo’s Unison preamp slot to track in real time through a perfect SSL modeled preamp.

Features

• NEW! UAD Native plug-in with external side-chaining capabilities — no Apollo required
• Track and mix through a stunningly accurate emulation  of SSL’s vintage analog channel
• Get the full character of SSL’s Jensen transformer-based preamps with Unison technology, when paired with an Apollo audio interface
• Sculpt your sources with both Type E “black” and “brown” knob EQ and filters
• Harness the famous SSL VCA Compressor and Gate for incredible dynamics control
• Explore creative sounds by swapping Dynamics routing, and placing EQ/Filters in the Dynamics sidechain
• Mix with artist presets from Just Blaze (Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar), Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Avett Brothers), Ian Boxill (Prince, Tupac), and more

System Requirements

• macOS 10.15 Catalina, 11 Big Sur, 12 Monterey, 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma
• Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit only Editions)
• Intel, AMD, or Apple silicon processor
• Internet connection to download software and authorize UADx plug-ins
• Free iLok account with iLok Cloud or iLok USB (2nd generation or higher)
• A physical iLok dongle is NOT required to activate this product

You can activate this software on an online system (using iLok Cloud) or an offline system (using an iLok USB):

1. Online: an active internet connection and a FREE iLok account are required to authorise UAD Plug-ins using iLok Cloud

2. Offline: you will need a physical iLok USB (2nd generation or higher) to authorise this software

Important note: UAD plugins do not work in Apple's Garageband DAW