SSL Native Channel Strip 2 is an indistinguishable recreation of the famed SSL 9000K Console in plug-in format for your DAW. Delivering the signature tone and response of the famed hardware console with modern workflow enhancements and features for contemporary producers and musicians, the SSL Channel Strip 2 is a must-have.
Featuring SSL’s proprietary Anti-Cramping EQ technology with a switchable response between E and G-series consoles, Channel Strip 2 boasts a huge range of functionality to suit any EQ scenario. A comprehensive dynamics section offers a dedicated compressor and gate/expander with a switchable soft/hard knee for the compressor. With independent sidechains and fast attack/release controls, Channel Strip 2 lets you dive into aggressive compression characteristics, making it perfect for individual instruments or entire mix busses. The plug-in also features High and Low Pass Filters, which can also be applied to the side chain. Perfect for smoothing, controlling, and adding presence to any source material.
Please Note: This product comes in the form of a digital download code that will be sent to your email for activation.
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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 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 modeled 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 EQing 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 customizing 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 has 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 sample rate 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!
Features:
– Signature SSL console channel strip features and sound with enhanced workflow
– Compatible 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
– Customizable 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
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: 1331-1003
