SSL 4K B
by Solid State Logic · Channel Strip · Console channel strip
Not rated yet
A channel strip modeled on the SL 4000 B, SSL's first console, with a transformer mic preamp, the original 4000-series EQ, a bus-style compressor and a VCA fader.
It is more colored than SSL's later strips, and the preamp drive lets you choose how much of the hardware's harmonic character to add.
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitars, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: bus processing, bass, drums, colored, VCA, mixing, transformer, British console, hardware emulation, modern, auto-gain, full mix, mix bus, musical, oversampling, retro, sidechain input, thick, tracking, vintage, vocals.
What it does
The SSL 4K B brings the SL 4000 B console to the DAW. SSL describes it as delivering "musical EQ curves and thick, retro tone for modern producers."
- Preamp: modeled Jensen JE-115K-E transformer mic preamp with gain compensation, so you can add harmonic distortion without changing level.
- EQ: the original 4000-series EQ circuit that preceded the 02 'Brown Knob' design, with constant-bandwidth parametric mids suited to drums and bass.
- Dynamics: a compressor based on the SSL Bus Compressor topology, with peak detection and a sidechain VCA feedback loop, plus a De-ess mode.
- VCA fader: modeled dbx 202 'black can' VCA fader stage that can add harmonic saturation.
- Integration: HQ oversampling mode, SSL 360 Plug-in Mixer support and control from the UC1 and UF8 surfaces; a sonible 'auto' add-on is available.
The current version is 1.9.8. A 14-day trial is available.
Source: Solid State Logic product page
When to use it
Pick the 4K B when you want the rarer, earlier B-series flavor with more obvious second-harmonic color and a bus-compressor-style dynamics section on every channel. Native Channel Strip 2 is SSL's cleaner, more modern strip, and bx_console SSL 4000 E and Waves SSL E-Channel cover the later E-series sound.
- Best for: tracking and mixing individual channels where you want console color, especially drums, bass and multitracked parts.
- Genres: rock, indie, pop and any genre that suits a vintage console sound.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a transparent, surgical strip; Native Channel Strip 2 or Pro-Q 4 plus Pro-C 3 are cleaner.
- Standout: the preamp drive, which lets you dial in anywhere from clean to obviously colored.
What producers say
MusicRadar's review found it a flexible way to add as much vintage console color as you want, with the licensing model as the main gripe.
- MusicRadar / Computer Music (2022) called it "a lovely plugin" and noted it is "clearly more coloured than Channel Strip 2."
- Compressor: the same review said both ratios deliver "the classic SSL feedback compressor vibe."
- Gripe: the review listed no perpetual license option as a con at the time.
Where to buy
- Solid State Logic: $149
- Plugin Boutique: $149
- AudioDeluxe: $149
Tutorials and reviews
- SSL 4K B plug-in: Back to where it all began
- Review: SSL 4K B - The New & Original SSL Flavour!
- SSL Channel Strip Shootout: 4K B vs. 4K E vs. Channel Strip 2
- New Channel Strip VST PLUGIN by Solid State Logic - SSL 4K B - Factory Presets Playthrough
- SSL 4K B Channel Strip - First Impressions
Similar plugins
- 4K E by Solid State Logic · SSL E-series console channel strip · $149
- SSL 4K G by Solid State Logic · Console channel strip · $149
- SSL 4000 E Channel Strip by Universal Audio · Console channel strip · $69
- SSL SL 4000 E-Series by Softube · SSL E-series console strip · $199
- bx_console SSL 4000 E by Brainworx · Console channel strip · $175
- bx_console SSL 4000 G by Brainworx · Console channel strip · $175
- SSL G-Channel by Waves · SSL G-series channel · $32.91
- Native Channel Strip 2 by Solid State Logic · SSL console channel strip · $149
- SSL EV2 Channel by Waves · SSL channel strip · $29.99
- COMP-4K-STRIP by Antelope Audio · 4K console dynamics strip · $19.90
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