Before we get started, let’s take a quick look at what you get when you pick up an SSL 12 Audio Interface:
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The look of SSL 12 will be very familiar to those of you that have seen SSL 2 & 2+. It has the same basic shape & layout, with the brushed aluminium surface, angled for optimum viewing on your desk and larger monitor control which of course goes right up to 11 (thank you Spinal Tap). 12 is a slightly bigger beast that the 2 & 2+.
You’ll find SSL 12 is wider, to accommodate 4x SSL designed microphone preamps. Each input has a combi jack for your Mic / Line Level input sources. They also have a full set of preamp controls, segmented LED VU meter and of course the 4K buttons.
That’s 4 analogue inputs covered, but the interface is called ‘12’. So naturally, you might be wondering where the other 8 inputs come in. On the I/O panel round the back, you’ll find an ADAT port which will give you up to 8 additional inputs over a digital connection – which we will explain more later on. All of these input sources are run through SSL’s premium converter technology, working at a bit depth up to 32-bit & sample rate as high as 192kHz.
SSL 12 also functions as a MIDI interface, with MIDI 5-pin DIN In / Out connections also found on the back section. This makes it a great option for incorporating any electronic instruments to your setup without occupying precious USB ports.
SSL12 is bus powered and compatible with most recording devices, and for an interface of this scale that’s pretty impressive. All weighing in at around 1kg as well, it’s easy enough to carry around with you to recording sessions on location.
SSL 12 works perfectly well when plugged straight into your DAW of choice, but it also features some clever routing options and extra features when used in conjunction with SSL 360 – Solid State Logic’s software device hub. It’s got a brand new update to give you enhanced control over SSL 12.
Now that we’ve got a feel for what SSL 12 is all about, let's take a closer look at those features and specs.
As we already mentioned, SSL 12 has 4x microphone preamps engineered by Solid State Logic. The design is same as those found in 2 / 2+, but you just get an extra couple for good measure. They’re built to give very competitive performance – large gain range, with a very low noise floor to give the best possible performance for all kinds of microphones and input sources. Each channel features:
For those of you who aren’t familiar, the 4K button distills some of the sonic characteristics of the SL4000 series desks that are so loved by artists around the world into a single button. For SSL interfaces, this button is designed to add a subtle ‘lift’ your audio inputs with a high frequency boost, and some subtle harmonic distortion. Perfect for vocals, guitars, piano and all kinds of other instruments.
The first 2 channels also have a separate Hi-Z inputs on the front. These easy access ports are meant for guitar and bass, or other Hi-Z input sources. Because they’re separate from the connections on the back, this also means you don’t need to mess around with unplugging other input devices as often – but good to note that they don’t work at the same time.
In addition to the 4x analogue inputs, you’ll also find the 8x digital inputs that use the ADAT port, located on the back near the USB-C connection. This may not be a familiar connector type to some, but you will find it on a fair few audio interfaces often going unused. But with the right kit, you can unlock these extra inputs for a total of 12 individual input channels – more than enough for a big drum kit, or a quick band recording session.
Here’s a little bit of background: ADAT is simply a digital audio protocol, derived for the era of digital tape. It’s now used in audio equipment to digitally incorporate additional audio channels. To make this work, you simply need a mixer, instrument or preamp with an ADAT output. This will look the same as the input port. This connection type is sometimes known as Optical, Lightpipe or Toslink. Connect the output from the digital device to the input on the SSL 12. Providing the settings are correct, you should see audio coming from the additional inputs. This can be monitored in SSL 360.
Sample rate also plays a role in the function of ADAT. Depending on the sample rate you work at, the available bandwidth will dictate how many channels you’ll get. Here’s a breakdown:
The most common way to use this port is to add some additional channels to record a bigger session. Digital preamps with ADAT out ports are the best way to achieve this. The best part being that it’s optional – when you’re working on a mix you may not need all those extra ins, but they’re there if you need them.
Outputs are an equally important part of audio interfaces, and SSL 12 has got some rather useful output options to work with. Firstly, there are 2 pairs of balanced line level jack outputs on the rear side. In most scenarios, outputs 1-2 will feed into a main set of monitors. This can be a mixture of direct inputs and software playback, all controllable via SSL 360. Outputs 3-4 are an additional set that could be used for some extra tasks. They could mirror 1-2 to feed an alternative set of monitors, or you could use them for a separate monitor mix entirely.
On the front side, you’ll also find 2 headphone outputs labelled A and B. These powerful outputs are suited to a wide range of headphones impedances. Through the 360 software, you can set the outputs to standard, high sensitivity or high impedance. The headphone mixes are independent from each other and the main monitor mix. You can set them to mirror the monitor outputs, or you can create a unique mix for A & B using the stereo channel sends in SSL 360. Having these independent headphone outputs is so useful for collaboration and recording, giving everyone the mix they need to feel comfortable.
If you don’t have a need for headphones, outs A & B have another handy trick up their sleeve. You can set the output to balanced line level, which allows you to send the feeds out to external hardware processors or other mixers.
One final mention on the outputs, to those of you interested in modular synthesisers and other equipment that uses control voltage – the outputs are all DC coupled. This means that you can output CV signals generated in software.
This is where things get clever. Much like the SSL 2 & 2+, you can use SSL 12 as a simple in & out junction box for your Digital Audio Workstation. But to get the most out of this interface’s routing capabilities, you might want to check out SSL 360.
You may have come across SSL 360 if you’ve used either UF8 or UC1 USB controllers. It’s a free software that ties together your SSL gear and helps you to keep them configured & updated. SSL 12 has now got its own tab which gives you access to quite a few handy features under the hood.
You can choose which sets of inputs / returns that you want to see in SSL 360. Simply toggle the controls for Analogue In, Digital In, Playback Returns and Aux Masters to see the internal routing of the SSL 12.
SSL 360 gives you the ability to control some visible & hidden parameters on the SSL 12. For starters, there’s the +48V, Line & HPF controls – all remotely controllable from 360.
There are also the 3 user buttons on the right side of the Monitor Level knob. These are labelled Cut, Alt and Talk. By default, that’s what those buttons will do. But perhaps you don’t need the alternative monitor button, or maybe you don’t need access to the talkback when working alone. SSL 360 has a feature where you can change the function of these buttons to any of the following functions:
All these controls are also available separately within the software, if you still need them available even if they’re not a shortcut.
When we talked about the Monitor and Headphone outputs, we spoke about setting up individual mixes for separate outputs. SSL 360 is the place to do this. Each input source, including digital and playback returns, has a set of controls split out into HP A, HP B and LINE 3-4.
Each set of controls sets level and pan out to the labelled destination, whether it’s headphone A, headphone B or Out 3-4 on the back. So, when the vocalist you’re working with wants to hear more of themself above the rest of the mix, you can individually up their own direct volume, whilst still monitoring your overall balanced mix at the same time.
SSL 12 has a built-in Talkback Microphone, useful for communicating with others whilst recording with headphones on. By default, the Talk button switches this on and off, but SSL 360 allows you to set the level and destination of the talkback microphone.
There are 4x Stereo Playback returns available on SSL 12. These are virtual inputs from USB, typically outputs from your DAW, but they can also be fed from other applications as well.
They can be routed to any of the outputs that we’ve mentioned earlier using the software sends. For simplicity, they can also be assigned directly to specific outputs:
The SSL 360 integration has a lot of useful features, but for some users it may be too much. More likely than not, a lot of these routing options could be achieved through your DAW alone. This is where I/O Mode comes in.
I/O simply disables the mixing & routing in SSL 360, and allows you to do everything through your audio workstation. Whilst disabling the SSL 12 view in 360, it displays the I/O assignments for the interface so you can setup your DAW routing accordingly.
There's a lot of possibility that SSL 360 opens up with SSL 12. The extra routing and customisation adds a lot for those looking to create some more adventurous configurations. It also makes collaboration with other artists and engineers a flexible task, where everyone can get the exact mix that they need. One more point to add on this, you can save / load these configurations from SSL 360, so you don't have to start from scratch every time. Useful! And if you ever get in a muddle with a configuration, you can always go back to a blank slate with the default button.
As with SSL 2 and 2+, SSL 12 comes with a generous software package called the SSL Production Pack. This selection of plugins and sample packs make an excellent starting point for those who don't already have any. However, if you do already have a set of software tools, the SSL Production Pack will still have some enticing offerings at no extra cost.
From SSL, you’ll receive a completely free copy of Vocal Strip 2 & Drum Strip. These are 2 plugins that combine carefully selected processors for fine tuning vocals and drums.
You will also receive a 3 month free trial for the entire SSL Native Suite (at the time of writing this). This gives you access to SSL's entire library of legendary processors in software form.
The SSL Production Pack was recently upgraded with more plugins from more well known 3rd party developers. These include:
To find out more, check out this article on the SSL Production Pack
As we've discovered in this guide, the SSL 12 is an incredibly powerful yet relatively simple interface. Its perfect for those looking to expand their inputs without having to invest in a high preamp count interface straight away - which can be hugely costly!
4 fantastic quality preamps, impressive conversion and pro features allow you to capture your audio at it's best - no matter what genre you're into. The monitoring options and routing are comprehensive and allow you the flexibility to collaborate with others comfortably.
That's a whole lot of features in a relatively small footprint - small enough to carry around with you in your bag, running on USB-C bus power alone. It's fair to say we're very impressed with SSL 12, and we think you will be too!
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This new blog is presented by the team at Sound Technology Ltd, a leading distributor of musical instruments and pro audio equipment in the UK and ROI.
