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Channel Strip 2
What's new in Channel Strip 2?
Previous iterations of Channel Strip did not have an output fader, only an Output Trim control. This changes with Channel Strip 2 due to the introduction of the Fader Level parameter. Developed with the SSL fader scale, you can mix and match with the 4K Channel Strip plug-in inside of the 360 Plug-in Mixer for virtual console-style workflow.
When adjusting the Fader Level settings, your existing Output Trim parameters are maintained, meaning both can be used together. The Fader Level introduces gentle, digitally-modelled saturation whereas the Output Trim control delivers clean, pristine gain levels. A careful balance can be made to create the perfect blend between analog tone and digital control.
Extensive filtering and EQ possibilities
A channel strip wouldn't be much without an EQ. With the Channel Strip 2, you get a huge range of flexibility with EQ. Channel Strip 2 includes a four-band EQ with a traditional SSL EQ layout, digitally modelled on the curves of the XL 9000K EQ circuit and features a 12dB/oct low-pass filter and 18dB/oct high-pass filter. The midrange has been split into two parts, lower midrange and higher midrange, allowing greater control over instruments such as vocals or guitar.
The SSL Channel Strip 2 does have a trick up its sleeve. It features an "E" button which lets you switch the curve of your EQ between G-Series and E-Series consoles. The G-Series mode features shelving curves with a degree of overshoot and undershooting depending on the filter frequencies. The E-mode removes this and provides slightly more gentle slopes to your curves.
Not limited to the filtering, in G-series mode, at any Q-setting the bandwidth of the high-mid and low-mid frequencies varies with the level of gain. Perfect in moderation, this lends itself to be used on combined sources for subtle corrective EQ. Conversely, in E-mode, the bandwidth remains constant at all gain levels, rendering the Q-factor more narrow. This is perfect when mixing drums due to the high Q-factor even at lower gain settings for more precise control but may not be suitable for general EQ'ing applications.
Flexible module routing
Going above and beyond what was capable on the hardware original, Channel Strip 2 Native lets you configure the processing order of the Filters, EQ and Dynamics processing blocks. Ideal for customising the response of your compression to the EQ or vice versa, you have much more flexibility over your signal flow than with analog consoles.
Anti cramping technology
There is an inherent problem with the mathematics of digital filters. They will bring the level down to unity when they reach the Nyquist frequency of 20kHz. For example, if you're boosting at 10kHz with a wide bandwidth, you may think you are affecting frequencies above 20kHz as read by the graph on your EQ plug-in, but this will likely not be the case. Because of this, you may lose the 'airiness' and high-frequency lift you get when using analog equipment.
SSL have developed a proprietary system to correct this problem, ensuring that you get a symmetrical bell shape when boosting frequencies, even those that extend the Nyquist frequency. Whereas with other EQs you may need to adjust the samplerate of your project or oversample the plug-in internally, with SSL Native Channel Strip 2 you don't! This is ideal as these other methods can introduce their own problems of latency or increased CPU usage. Instead, integrated into the plug-in, any filter shape you make won't be affected by this 'cramping', allowing you to get a much more linear response to find the exact sound you're looking for!
Seamless integration with SSL hardware
Designed as a 360-enabled plug-in, Channel Strip 2 integrates with the SSL 360 Plug-in Mixer seamlessly. Because it's controllable from the 360 Plug-in Mixer, Channel Strip 2 integrates with the UC1 and UF8 hardware control surfaces. Perfect for a hands-on experience in your studio, you can make adjustments without ever needing to click a mouse or keyboard!
Bus Compressor 2
Add some "glue" to your tracks!
Revered by virtually anyone who has ever used it, the SSL G-Series bus compressor section has a trick up its sleeve unlike anything else. Taking instruments in a bus and adding some "glue" the Bus Compressor 2 captures the exact response and sound of the original console compressor, adding punch and life to your busses. Known for making things "sound like a record", its musical response caters to any kind of genre, tempo or any instruments you might have in your mix bus. Perfectly capable of getting dirty when it needs to, the Bus Compressor still maintains the dynamic integrity of your tracks, even at high ratios.
Same analog sound, modern digital enhancements
We all want the classic analog sound, but for modern producers working in the digital domain, flexibility is key. That's why the SSL Native Bus Compressor 2 has been built from the hardware original to offer more functionality for your mixes. New parameters have been added for Attack, Release and Ratio, allowing you to fine-tune the response to the tempo of your track, the instrument or group and genre of your music. The best thing? The signature sound of the Bus Compressor 2 won't fall victim to pumping or destroying the dynamic character of your sound!
Bringing the patch-bay to the plug-in realm, the Bus Compressor 2 now features a side-chain input, with a side-chain input high-pass filter. Perfect for adding the punch and glue to the low end of your track in a clean way which doesn't become overpowering or too boomy, causing muddy mixes.
Features
Channel Strip 2
- Signature SSL console channel strip features and sound with enhanced workflow
- Comaptible with SSL hardware for integrated setups
- Four-band EQ with two midrange frequencies and two shelving options
- Switch between the G-Series and E-Series EQ circuits for enhanced control
- Variable low-pass and high-pass filter
- EQ section featuring SSL's 'Anti-Cramping' technology
- “Over-Easy” soft ratio compression characteristic for smooth transitions
- Customsiable module signal flow order
- External side-chain input
- Wet/Dry dynamic balance control offers parallel compression abilities
- HQ mode delivers higher quality with oversampling at the expense of increased CPU usage
- Cross-platform preset management system
- Undo/redo buttons
- A/B switching lets you audition two settings simultaneously
- Apple Silicon M1/ARM native support
Bus Compressor
- Apple Silicon M1/ARM Native support
- Compatible with UC1 controller
- The fabled punchy compressor to deliver the classic 'glueing' effect in your mixes
- Perfect for use on drum groups or entire mix busses
- Newly designed Attack, Release and Ratio controls
- Quintessential 'Auto' release mode
- A/B switching lets you audition two sounds simultaneously
- Oversampling up to 4X
- External side-chain with HPF filtering for clean, low-end compression
- Maintains the dynamic character of a mix even at higher ratios
Specifications
- Operating system:
- Mac: macOS Monterey 12, Big Sur 11, Catalina 10.15
- Windows: Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11 (64-bit)
- Processor:
- Mac: Intel Dual Core Mac running at 2.4GHz or higher
- Windows: Intel Core 2 (or comparable) CPU running at 2.4GHz or higher
- RAM: 8GB recommended
- Format:
- Mac: AU, VST2, VST3, AAX Native
- Windows: VST 2 (64-bit), VST3 (64-bit), AAX Native (64-bit)
- Product code: 1331-1001