SSL 12 USB Audio Interface

When SSL doubled up their SiX analogue mixer last year, they chose not to call it the 12. It turns out that number was reserved for a different product, which builds instead on the 2 and 2+ introduced a couple of years earlier. Like those devices, the new 12 is a bus‑powered USB audio interface, but as its double‑digit designation would suggest, it’s a lot bigger and more capable.

ssl 12 interface

This number is made up to 12 by the provision of a single optical input, which, depending on sample rate, accepts up to eight channels of digital audio using the ADAT Lightpipe protocol. And it doesn’t stop there, because despite the name, the SSL 12 actually presents 16 inputs to your DAW. The additional sources are a stereo loopback input that can capture audio from other applications, and the built‑in mono talkback mic, which shows up as a stereo input.

SSL 12 REAR

Low‑latency monitoring on the 2 and 2+ is controlled using a knob that allows the user to adjust the monitor balance between playback and input signals, and a button to determine whether the inputs are heard panned left/right or centrally. That’s fine for a stereo interface, but the 12’s greater complexity demands a more flexible system. More flexible, in fact, than could be easily implemented in hardware alone, and so the 12 has its own software control panel.

ssl 12 interface 1
SSL 12 CHANNEL

Features:

  • 4 x SSL-designed microphone preamps with unrivalled EIN performance and huge gain range for a USB-powered device
  • Per-Channel Legacy 4K switches – analogue colour enhancement for any input source, inspired by the 4000-series console
  • 2 Hi-Z instrument inputs for Guitars, Bass or Keyboards
  • 2 professional-grade headphone outputs, with plenty of power & switchable options for high impedance or high sensitivity headphones.
  • 32-bit / 192 kHz AD/DA Converters – capture and hear all the detail of your creations
  • ADAT IN – expand the input channel count with up to 8 channels of digital audio.
  • Easy-to-use Headphone routing via SSL360° for critical low-latency monitoring tasks
  • Built In Talkback Mic that can be routed to Headphone A, B and Line 3-4 outputs
  • 4 x balanced outputs and precision Monitor Level, with stunning dynamic range
  • Use Outputs 3-4 to connect an alternative monitor set to or as general additional line-level outputs.
  • Headphone Outputs are switchable to Balanced Line Outputs for additional outputs.
  • DC-coupled outputs for controlling CV input instruments & FX
  • 3 user-assignable front panel switches – assign to various monitoring functions and talkback open/close
  • MIDI I/O
  • SSL Production Pack Software Bundle: Includes the SSL Production Pack Software Bundle – an exclusive collection of DAWs, Virtual Instruments and Plug-ins
  • USB bus-powered audio interface for Mac/Windows – power is provided by USB 3.0, audio via the USB 2.0 protocol
  • K-Lock Slot for securing your SSL 12

ssl 12 interface

Pros

  • Good sound quality and specifications.
  • Superb cue mixer utility integrated within SSL’s 360 software.
  • Excellent attention to detail in the design, with lots of ‘pro’ features especially on the monitor control side.
  • Headphone amps cater for all types of headphone and can even be repurposed as line outs.
  • Very good value for money.

Cons

  • Very hot preamp alignment may be an issue for recording drums and other loud sources.

Purchase at https://www.theproaudio.com/product/solid-state-logic-ssl-12-usb-audio-interface/

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