SSL 18 USB Audio Interface Overview
The SSL 18 is the first-ever rackmount USB audio interface from Solid State Logic. Developed from their unmatched expertise in analogue and digital design, SSL 18 offers exceptional audio performance with a studio-session-ready feature set, delivered with the signature SSL sound and premium quality that professionals trust.
26-in / 28-out, high-performance USB audio interface
SSL 18 raises expectations for a 19” USB audio interface in its class. Superior 32-bit next-gen converters, high-performance SSL-designed mic pre’s, advanced digital mixer, Legacy 4K analogue enhancement, and a complete set of digital I/O. Whether you are recording, producing or mixing, SSL 18 enhances production workflow while elevating the performance of your creative space – it’s the ultimate centrepiece for your studio.
Best-In-Class Audio Performance
Next-generation 32-bit/192 kHz converters provide the platform for SSL 18’s analogue design to shine, with unrivalled dynamic range performance of 120 dB across all microphone, line-level and instrument inputs – capture your sources like never before. Experience 125 dB dynamic range on the monitor and line outputs to hear your music with uncompromised fidelity. Need to work on headphones? No problem, with the unbeatable 120 dB dynamic range on offer from the dual-headphone outputs.
- SSL 18 features eight high-performance SSL-designed mic pre’s, with switchable Mic/Line configuration. Leveraging our renowned engineering expertise, they deliver ultra-low noise recordings and a huge dynamic range, making sure you capture every detail of the performance with stunning accuracy. Their advanced 2-stage circuitry ensures ultra-low distortion while maintaining the natural character of the source – or flip them into Legacy 4K Mode to add real analogue saturation and the iconic 4000 series sound to vocals, drums, and more. Located on the front of the unit, inputs 1 & 2 also offer instrument/Hi-Z inputs to capture DI’d guitars and vintage synths/drum machines.
- 120 dB Dynamic Range / -130.5 dBu EIN / Legacy 4K Analogue Enhancement
- SSL 18 comes equipped with ten balanced line-level outputs located on the rear of the unit. To ensure optimal signal integrity and maximise 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.
- 125 dB Dynamic Range / +24 dBu operating levels / Main & Alt Speaker Switching / DC-Coupled Outputs
- 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.
- 120dB Dynamic Range / Dual independent outputs / Configurable headphone modes
- 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 distils the two essential characteristics of the 4K sound into a single design. Legacy 4K Analogue 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.
- Real Analogue Saturation / Musical High-Frequency Boost / Immortal 4K sound
- 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
- 16 Channels of ADAT I/O + 2 Channels S/PDIF I/O / Word clock output
- 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, customise the monitor controls via SSL 360 and tailor them to your workflow. Switch the talkback input into LINE mode and re-process audio through the classic Listen Mic Compressor, perfect for crushing drums, parallel vocals, and more.
- Configurable monitoring section / Alt monitor switching / Talkback input with Mic or Line mode + Legendary LMC analogue compressor
- The SSL 18 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.
- SSL has been helping world-class artists, producers and engineers make great music and audio for decades. They know it’s crucial to have the right tools for the job, so SSL has partnered with some of the industry's key brands to offer you the SSL Production Pack, bundled free with registered SSL 18 audio interfaces. Featuring a selection of must-have virtual instruments, plug-ins, samples and DAW, fuel your creativity and bring your productions to life with the SSL Production Pack (worth over $1400).
- CA Complete Access 6 Month Trial Included with SSL 18
- As an eligible SSL interface owner, claim 6 months FREE Complete Access subscription. Featuring every plug-in from Solid State Logic, Slate Digital and Harrison Audio, Complete Access gives you all of the software tools you need to make your next hit.
- • 26-in/28-out USB-C audio interface for Mac and Windows.
- • 8 microphone/line-level inputs.
- o 4K analogue enhancement, Polarity Invert, High-Pass Filters and 48V Phantom Power per channel.
- o Configurable analogue insert points for inputs 1 and 2, great for tracking with analogue gear
- o Inputs 1 and 2 are switchable to instrument-level.
- o Line inputs bypass preamp – perfect for integrating external preamps.
- • 10 balanced line outputs.
- o Alternative speaker switching.
- o +9 dBu /+24 dBu output level configuration options for pairs 1&2 and 3&4 to best match your monitors.
- o DC-coupled outputs are capable of sending control voltages to synthesisers and modular rigs.
- • 2 independent, powerful headphone outputs with dedicated level controls.
- o 3 mode options to suit different headphone impedances – Standard, High Sensitivity, High Impedance.
- o Create custom headphone mixes.
- o Re-purpose as line outputs.
- • Dedicated Talkback input with Listen Mic Compressor (LMC).
- o Talkback input can also be used in LINE mode for the creative processing of stems through the LMC when producing and mixing.
- • +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.
- • 2 channels of S/PDIF (coaxial or optical).
- • MIDI I/O on 3.5 mm TRS jacks.
- • Flexible clocking options – internal (clock signal available on Word clock output), or clock from incoming ADAT or S/PDIF.
- • Next-generation 32-bit/192 kHz converters. Class-leading audio performance in every area:
- o Best-in-class low-noise microphone preamps with outstanding –130.5 dBu EIN and 67 dB gain range for working with any microphone.
- o Best-in-class 120 dB dynamic range across all inputs & headphone outputs.
- o Best-in-class 125 dB dynamic range on monitor and line outputs.
- • SSL 18 Low-Latency Mixer powered by SSL 360.
- o Comprehensive management of all inputs and outputs onto the SSL 18 low-latency mixer.
- o 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).
- o 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.
- o Customise the monitoring section front panel buttons to suit your workflow.
- • Save/Load SSL 18 Mixer profiles for various workflows – e.g. create tracking templates, mixing templates etc.
- • Stereo Loopback with selectable loopback source.
- • SSL Production Pack Software included – worth over $1400.
