A New Era Has Begun
Introducing SSL 18 - a new era in rackmount production technology from Solid State Logic. Developed from our 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. Whether you are recording, producing or mixing, SSL 18 enhances production workflows while elevating the performance of your creative space, it’s the ultimate centrepiece for your studio. Welcome to a new era in rack mount interface performance.
8 x SSL-Designed Analogue Preamps
Best-in-class, low noise mic preamps
Legacy 4K Analogue Enhancement
Real analogue colour inspired by the 4000-series console
Next-Gen Converters
Accurate, transparent recording and sound reproduction
High-Performance
Class-leading audio performance in every area
10 x Balanced Outs
+24 dBu professional-grade outputs
Flexible Studio Monitoring
Main/Alt outputs, surround monitoring, customisable controls
2 x High-Current Headphone Outs
Independent mixes, configurable modes for different headphones
Producer & Creator Tools
MIDI I/O, DC-coupled outs for CV, and stereo loopback
Comprehensive Digital I/O
16 channels ADAT I/O, 2 channels S/PDIF I/O
Listen Mic Compressor
Talkback input with the famous LMC (Smash Everything)
SSL Production Pack
A unique collection of inspiring software
Compatible with Mac and Windows
Plug and play on Mac, ASIO/WDM driver for Windows
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.
32-Bit / 192 kHz / Unrivalled Analogue and Digital Performance
8 x SSL-designed Mic/Line inputs
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. What's more, in Line mode the mic preamp stage is completely bypassed - perfect for connecting external outboard gear. 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
10 x Line-outputs
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, providing 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
Dual High-Performance Headphone 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
Monitor Controller + Talkback w/Listen Mic Compressor
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 and Cut accessible via the monitor controls located on the front panel. Configure all 10 outputs to be under the control of the front panel monitor control using the Monitor Control Assignment feature in SSL 360° - perfect for surround/immersive monitoring. The three front panel buttons (Cut, Alt, Talk) can be customised with various options to suit your workflow. SSL 18 also features a dedicated talkback input channel that can operate in MIC or LINE mode. LINE mode is great for re-processing audio through the classic Listen Mic Compressor - crush drums, parallel vocals, and more.
Configurable monitoring section / Alt monitor switching / Surround/Immersive monitoring / Talkback input + Legendary Listen Mic Compressor
Custom Monitor Control Assignment
Custom Monitor Control Assignment allows you to choose which of the 10 analogue outputs are affected by the monitor control – perfect for surround/immersive monitoring. It also allows the monitor control to affect the S/PDIF output. This feature is configured in the SSL 18 Mixer Settings menu, in SSL 360°.
Multiple SSL 18s
Add additional SSL 18s to expand the number of mic preamps up to 24 total. The SSL 18 Mixer (hosted inside SSL 360°) allows you to configure additional SSL 18s as ADAT mic preamp expanders.
Key Features
- 26-in/28-out USB-C audio interface for Mac and Windows.
- 8 microphone/line-level inputs.
4K analogue enhancement, Polarity Invert, High-Pass Filters and 48V Phantom Power per channel.
Configurable analogue insert points for inputs 1 and 2, great for tracking with analogue gear
Inputs 1 and 2 are switchable to instrument-level.
Line inputs bypass preamp – perfect for integrating external preamps.
- 10 balanced line outputs.
Alternative speaker switching is available for pairs 1&2 and 3&4.
+9 dBu/+24 dBu output level configuration options for pairs 1&2 and 3&4 to best match your monitors.
DC-coupled outputs are perfect for sending control voltages to synthesisers and modular rigs.
- 2 independent, powerful headphone outputs with dedicated level controls.
3 mode options to suit different headphone impedances – Standard, High Sensitivity, High Impedance.
Create custom headphone mixes.
Re-purpose as line outputs.
- +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.
- Next-generation 32-bit/192 kHz converters.
- Class-leading audio performance in every area:
Best-in-class low-noise microphone preamps with outstanding –130.5 dBu EIN and 67 dB gain range for working with any microphone.
Best-in class 120 dB dynamic range across all inputs & headphone outputs.
Best-in class 125 dB dynamic range on monitor and line outputs.
- Comprehensive management of all inputs and outputs onto the SSL 18 low-latency mixer.
- 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).
- 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.
- Customise the monitoring section front panel buttons to suit your workflow.
- Flexible clocking options – internal (clock signal available on Wordclock output), or clock from incoming ADAT or S/PDIF
- Dedicated Talkback input with analogue Listen Mic Compressor (LMC).
Talkback input can also be used in LINE mode for the creative processing of stems through the LMC when producing and mixing.
- 2 channels of S/PDIF (coaxial or optical).
- MIDI I/O on 3.5 mm TRS jacks.
- Custom Monitor Control Assignment - choose which analogue outputs are affected by the front panel monitor control. Perfect for surround/immersive monitoring. Can also be set to affect the S/PDIF output.
- Configure multiple 18s as ADAT Mic Preamp Expanders for up to 24 analogue mic preamp inputs.
Software Included
The SSL Production Pack includes:
- 6-months free Complete Access subscription.
- 3-months free access to Auto-Tune Unlimited subscription.
- 3-months free access to Arcade by Output subscription.
- Perpetual licenses for SSL Vocalstrip 2 and Drumstrip plug-ins.
- IK Multimedia Amplitube 5 SE.
- Celemony Melodyne Essential.
- Native Instruments Hybrid Keys & Komplete Start.
- Ableton Live 11 Lite.
- AAS Session Bundle plug-ins.
- 1.5 GB Samples from Loopcloud.
Learn more about the incredible SSL production pack here.
