Solid State Logic’s New SSL 12 is a Feature-Packed Desktop Interface with Room to Grow

The new SSL 12 interface ($500) from Solid State Logic expands on the popular SSL 2 and 2+, bringing more inputs, outputs, expandability and features to fill a niche between streamlined desktop interfaces and professional rackmount units. 

With four versatile preamps, dual instrument inputs and headphone outputs, four line outputs, MIDI I/O and ADAT optical input, this compact interface can handle anything from an acoustic duo to a full band. And with $1,000 worth of free software and plugins included, the SSL 12 is the perfect starting point for a home studio or mobile recording setup.

SSL 12 USB Audio Interface

This interface has a lot to offer, but let’s face it—the preamps are the main draw for many people. The SSL 12’s four preamps pull double duty, offering clean gain with the option to engage the Legacy 4K mode on each channel for analog enhancement inspired by the beloved SSL 4000 Series consoles. Legacy 4K mode provides a slight high-frequency presence boost and finely-tuned analogue distortion that adds additional harmonics to bring out the edge in any instrument or vocal. All four preamp channels are fully equipped with individual controls for phantom power, a high-pass filter and mic/line level switching, as well as a five-segment LED meter and a classic SSL gain knob.

In addition to bringing classic SSL sound to your desktop, the SSL 12’s variety of I/O makes it adaptable enough to suit anyone from a synth-based solo artist to an acoustic duo or even a small band. Four dedicated line-level outputs and two switchable headphone/line outputs provide up to four separate monitor mixes with talkback and near-zero latency thanks to the SSL 360 cue mixer software. The ADAT optical port provides up to eight extra inputs, so you can easily expand your setup with an extra bank of preamps for a total of 12. MIDI I/O and DC-coupled outputs capable of sending control voltages allow synth enthusiasts to control a variety of digital and analog devices.

To add even more value, the included SSL Production Pack software bundle gives you access to a plethora of virtual instruments, plugins and DAWs worth more than $1,000. For starters, you get a free three-month subscription to SSL Complete, giving you access to all SSL plugins. The Production Pack also features premium music-making tools from Native Instruments, Ableton (Live Lite), Celemony (Melodyne), Antares (Auto-Tune),  IK Multimedia, Output and AAS. This massive collection contains everything you need to start making music or expand your sonic toolkit with new possibilities.

We recently stopped by Plymouth Rock Recording in Plymouth, Michigan to test out the new SSL 12. Watch below to learn more about the interface and hear our session with Jade Nicole (vocals), Todd Watts Jr. (drums), Barry Chambliss (keyboard) and Haruki Hakoyama (producer/engineer).

If you have any questions about the SSL 12, or would like to purchase one for your studio, please contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160.