The SSL 4000E console was one of the most recognisable presences in studios around the world. We check out how the latest plugin emulation sounds next to a real one. Judge for yourself...

For anyone unfamiliar with it, the SSL SL4000E console was the all conquering studio behemoth that filled control rooms the world over from an era when the studio computer was the thing next door you used to print off the invoice… Although a far rarer sight now, it invented an entire studio paradigm on its own that arguably continues to shape the tools that we use today. With mix automation and both record and play paths in the same channel, the modern DAW certainly has more than just a passing resemblance to the 4000E.

The console’s influence is perhaps best demonstrated in the roll call of licenced plugin versions of its revered channel strip, with broad-brush dynamics and the workmanlike-yet-musical EQ available in one tool. Combining the winning convenience of a plugin with an authentic 4000E sound goes some of the way to explain why it’s not unusual to see engineers using them even with the real thing next to them!

Waves SSL EV2 Channel

This is not a simple revision of the old Waves SSL E channel. This completely new plugin is re-modelled from the ground up using new analogue modelling technology. As well as the under-the-hood revisions, the plugin has new headline functions to enhance the E channel experience.

• New ‘Brown Knob’ EQ The original Brown Knob EQ design (aka “02 EQ”) gives SSL’s classic symmetric Q design ensuring that the ±3dB up/down points remain constant from the centre frequency regardless of frequency and amplitude settings. The two shelving filters are traditional 6dB/octave designs with the BELL button switching in the symmetric Q peaking response.

• With Brown Knob EQ switched out, you get the ‘Black Knob’ EQ (aka “242 EQ”). This has 18dB of cut or boost available (instead of 15dB) with a revised control law in the low band giving tighter control. This is the modern incarnation of the “E Series” EQ as found on SSL’s current hardware.

• New Mic Preamp section This gives you the front-end control of the hardware strip with separate Mic and Line pots allowing you to drive the signal with variable saturation, plus the -20dB pad and polarity invert buttons from the original.

On top of these new features, Waves SSL EV2 Channel brings hundreds of presets by Grammy-winning producers & engineers- Jacquire King, Joe Barresi, Stuart White, Dave Pensado, Jack Joseph Puig, Tony Maserati, Tom Lord-Alge, Lu Diaz, Rich Costey, and many more.

How Does It Sound?

We ran some stems through the Waves SSL EV2 Channel and also through a real SSL 4000E console to see how they sound next to each other. All the control settings in the plugin were matched on the console like-for-like for each stem.

The same channel on the desk was used for all tracks. This was to provide a high level of consistency from track to track and also to ensure the stereo tracks didn't suffer from any channel to channel discrepancies.

Each stereo track was split into mono L/R and one side at a time run through the desk using the appropriate settings using the plugin images below.

The whole mix examples are for context and were summed and bounced in Pro Tools- we are comparing the stems here as opposed to comparing summing busses. The true identity of the A and B options is different for each stem.

Let us know in the comments which version you prefer, or which you think is which. To check out Waves SSL EV2 Channel for yourself, head over to Waves’ website.

The Results Are Out

Check out our results article and see if you are correct…