SSL 2 - THE BEST AUDIO INTERFACE FOR GUITAR?

[@OlaEnglund]

Alright here you go, an EXTREMELY nerdy video of the SSL interface! See Description for a link to the DI files I made for this video,

[@AndyDion]

Love the nerdfest video. I still get shit for recording DI but it’s way more versatile when recording in my opinion.

[@IStabz]

I only "disliked" because the "likes" were @ 333..haha \,,,/

[@MetaITurtle]

Hey Ola, do you use Superior Drummer for your drums?

[@murwgebeukt]

Thanks! altho slightly disappointed by that buzz when pushed, still ordering this!

[@Zzyyxx22]

I watch some “audiophile” videos. They talk about noise from the power block of sources. You can buy blocks with shielded cables. Might help.

[@rumar4u]

Dude, you've been the ONLY reviewer that actually mentioned the worthy facts that makes the difference between a Great Interface vs Starting Interface. Noise levels, decibels, Round Trip Latency with low buffers and Pre-Amps. +1 and great job

[@DavidDiMuzio]

This was a great review. My personal favorite that you've done.

[@niklasschmid9123]

Ola: the difference becomes more clear when you add distortion Me: hearing even less difference

[@massttrshrdrharmonicminor2002]

Like videos like this, lace us up Ola, the more nerdy more better,

[@PC85X]

Yeah, a whole side series oh home recording is needed! Love this stuff even if more clarity means exposing my amateur playing...

[@AVportau]

i own an SSL 2+. the straight mic preamps are great. 4K adds an attempt to sound like an 80's slightly overpushed analog channel, but sounds more tape burn, and on some sources rather bright and biting. handy but not a 'go to' button. self noise is pretty good for me with a noise floor of around -110db no input and -100db with the valve mics in wavelab. bang for buck it can't be beat and the reliable sound from SSL is legendary. we will hear a lot more from users in the future and the success they achieved for low budgets. hopefully new high end budget stuff from the likes of SSL and opposition interfaces will raise the bar even further... but hey, if you have this level of interface, good mics/instruments, a bit of talent etc.... all you need is the right song... this unit is capable of commercial grade releases and that's exactly what we dream of.

[@levondarratt787]

can you run a bass amp or guitar amp luxury plugin (BX , Softube etc) and get no noticeable lag? UAD Apollo X4 is my go to - and their amps are like playing the real thing - and I own the real thing, lol.

[@Fiveash-Art]

Mine buzzes and crackles in the first instrument channel and the 2nd channel just outright failed. It wasn't like that after I first bought it ... The SSL 2s don't last ... Only had it for about a year. I don't know why these things are getting such solid reviews.

[@Podcastage]

All about the nerdy tests Ola. Keep em coming.

[@MarcoPolux]

exakt! ... Ola knows his stuff 👍

[@jesseaviman]

I just tracked my bands entire album with the SSL 2+ for the vocals and they came out insanely good. Great piece of equipment here 🤘🏻

[@StarWarsRumors]

Is the album online? Would love to hear it.

[@jesseaviman]

@@StarWarsRumors yep, search: Wild Chariot - reaching for the sky

[@StarWarsRumors]

@@jesseaviman wow, sounds amazing. We’re the guitars sims or real amps?

[@dawoud8013]

it's not my kind of music, but really good work on the sound, the voices, the mix, and nice playing !!!!!

[@jesseaviman]

@@StarWarsRumors thanks. Yes all real amps and drums too with samples blended.

[@BeachCat]

A thorough and concise review. Thanks for mentioning latency, as most interface reviews don't, for some reason.

[@rgdec74]

Ola! San Antonio, Texas here! What a great job comparing the SSL 2 Audio interface with the Arrow and Ensemble units. Very impressive. Nerdy but necessary.

[@hamtheman222]

I bought mine last week entirely based on your excitement for it and it's SO good. Thank you for being excited about it haha

[@Thexpertoneverything]

I just bought mine for the exact same reason.

[@BillyBongwaters]

Out of everyone who reviewed the new SSL interface...Yours is simply the best.. You actually Tested it...no one else tested shit lol .... the others all read what the specs say and just repeat it....after taking an hour to unbox it... THANK YOU Ola

[@Hugmir]

Are you unaware of the existence of Podcastage? or Julian Krause's channel? People did test this thing on other channels.

[@BillyBongwaters]

@@Hugmir Oh I saw those before this ....and I could give a shit about podcasting and how a Shure SM7B either works with this or not...A microphone I will never own...thanks

[@briansau8729]

Dude, that soundboard at the beginning gets me everytime.

[@drdrew7475]

I played that part over and over. Laughed every single time. I'm okay with it

[@berniepaulson2270]

Hi Ola ! I bought the SSL2 after seeing this, and it's f$#**#* great !

[@mtbmwe6684]

2:44 Some seconds of Christopher Walken impression - Ola, you nailed it!

[@ScttSt_vocals]

Round-trip latency. Finally a comparison of it. THANK YOU OLA, THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[@alexcarey6569]

I have used and tested both interfaces. The RTL for the SSL 2 (usb) is twice that of the Arrow (thunderbolt). You have to go into the settings of the arrow and set the lag to zero, then you get sub 4ms RTL at 96 kHz w/128 samples. But the Arrow is meant to be used with the onboard DSP, for which the RTL is 1-2ms, even without changing the settings.

[@levondarratt787]

@@alexcarey6569 year...so no way to play the SSL2+ as a tight bass player in real time?

[@alexcarey6569]

@@levondarratt787 SSL 2 has true direct monitoring, so you can hear your DI (no effects) in real time. That works great for bass, not so much for vocals or electric guitar.

[@darkentity7255]

Goddamn I love the gear nerd videos, it kicks ass just talking about gear in depth!

[@koonsickgreen6272]

Sounding serious and professional while discussing recording. How long it has been.

[@SantyShatterer]

These videos are pure gold

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Right lol it kinda threw me off I was like oh shit... It's business Ola today guess I better clean up my posture.

[@vigneshkarthikeyan8174]

Remember his how to record metal guitar videso 😂

[@M.e.molina]

I just got the SSL2+ and it sounds so beautiful on guitars and drums! 🔥 So happy with it

[@jklappenbach]

I couldn't tell you how many creators / influencers that I've watched on the topic of audio interfaces. But you're the only one so far that have addressed the true questions and priorities of a working engineer / musician. Thank you!

[@AhmedKhaled-hy2vo]

You have no idea for how long I've been looking for a video like this, awesome dude! Very informative and to the point

[@cowork2010]

This video couldn't come at a better time for me. I have just purchased an audio interface and this answered some of my question.

[@kcampbell4098]

NOT a nerdy vid at all! Great honest a/b comparison, I do not have $10000 falling from my pockets. Great vid! my hats off....Kevin

[@Skeimag]

Super interesting video. Considering upgrading my focusrite these days without not knowing what to look for. This is gold

[@SuperMetalLicious]

So wierd I was just thinking about what interface options were out there. Thx Ola

[@natmetal7328]

Is it me , or last sunday you said that making a man Bun with your hair is bad ,😏 mmmmmmhhhhh . Ola , explain this pls edit : thanks To everyone for liking this comment , and thank you Ola for liking it as Well, even tho i edited the comment and your like disapearded, you made my day Ola and everyone else too , and then people think metalheads are angry and agressive all the time , they have never watched Ola's videos , metalheads actually take care of each other and respect other metalheads, the metal community is the best community that i've been part of

[@AirWereWolf]

I thought the very same thing.

[@monsterk7603]

Man bun. Lol.

[@shyank_life2899]

I kno. I went around all day thinkin I was a douche! Lol I immediately put my hair down. Thanks Ola!

[@GaijinMo]

Wasn't Ola's point that keeping your hair tied up for long periods of time damages the hair and scalp? He wasn't saying to never do it unless I am thinking of the wrong video.

[@luminousbrilliance1711]

Man Bun's apparently only for very serious professional hardware reviews. *pokes Ola* This makes me laugh and Peace to Ola and all people of Sweden. Lols :-)

[@SlendyPython]

How do you not have more subscribers? Seriously, youre fucking hilarious and seem as down to earth as a fresh grave. You deserve more.

[@bingbong7431]

most thorough and proper test of an interface I've seen, more technical stuff please

[@poetametal]

Tks Ola, I was awaiting for a metal Guy to test the ssl!

[@YousefAHMusic]

I really liked this video! It was awesome for you to show the input latency which a lot of people in other videos gloss over. Thank you, Ola. I've been looking for a new interface because I'm sick of the driver annoyances with my Focusrite 2i2 2nd gen. I'm trying to decide between this unit and the Axe I/O.

[@mdfkrz79]

I got the axe i/o a few months ago, isn't too bad, plus amplitube 4 comes with it.

[@underfeed]

I bout the Axe I/O recently and am super happy with it so far. No noise at all and low latency

[@anderssundqvist]

Bra och tydlig genomgång av produkterna, kul att du dessutom körde gitarren direkt i ljudkorten.

[@JesseDKangas]

Been waiting for this video. I’m in the market and needed Ola’s stamp of approval! Thank you!

[@alphacat6881]

Thank you! I've been looking forward to your review of the SSL! Sounds like a good replacement for my old Line6 UX1. BTW, you are awesome! Thanks for all the great work you do!

[@Kaozgoat]

Did you buy the ssl? How is it vs the ux1?

[@eric1982R]

Glad you did a video on this interface for all us nerds. thanks ola.

[@kevinfox8920]

Also, this interface seems it will be super useful for me. Thank you for your hard work you put into your demos 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@nicolasayastuy]

These are the kind of videos we're looking for when we look for differences between audio interfaces. Thanks good man for a proper well made video.

[@xplanet2112]

About time you got nerdy again Englund, great demonstration thanks.

[@4carhur1more]

Great demo of this interface! I've just recently started to use my SSL 2+ and I'm really happy with it. I try to make a slightly wide range of recordings and it really works well for most every use case. Great punchy clean tones and shows off the sound of my stratocaster in funk and works great with my plug ins when I do a more distorted metal sound!

[@AmauryCastillo]

How's it going after 7 months?

[@Mark-OutWest]

Thanks Ola! Very helpful video as I just got an M1 Mac and wanted an interface. You saved me from making a mistake going with something like Focusbrite.

[@thomascoolberth2648]

what did you wind up getting? I'm about to pull the trigger on Mac Mini M1 as my old Mac Pro just died. Basically I'm going from 2008 to 2022.

[@massivebeatzz]

"is this the longest cable in the world right now?" that was really funny!

[@kaka_papi]

You should totally do a short home recording series! I know there are plenty of videos out there but people want to see YOU specifically. I imagine it would go over well!

[@AdrianBellue]

Excellent video, you did a great job with this dude. Hope you and your family are well!

[@Schin_Thiago]

Just bought an SSL2+ and did those tests and my noise level its completely low, looking just like the Apogee Ensemble one, but mine starts in the 2k area. The Latency is 6,8 roundtrip (2,8 Output) Overall I'm loving it, specially for the price, since here in Brazil we're in a terrible situation and the Apogee one's are just too expensive. Anyway thanks Ola, amazing video!

[@andesneko]

This is too noisy, must be a USB ground loop or something

[@joecrowsantibanez1733]

Thanks for the upload, I just bought this unit because of youre video .

[@CharlesTsaiE]

the main reason the ensemble noise floor is higher than the UAD arrow is the preamp gain is 10db more than the arrow,in the high gain situation, 10db is a big step

[@CyberTechOfficial-h7n]

That was very beneficial video to me. I was thinking to buy SSL, and after seeing this I will change my mind to another interface less noisier. Thank you Ola. I would buy something more expensive. But, better sound quality and last longer. It's like an investment.

[@broncoxy]

Got this one, very happy with it! Its nice and small, does its job well and doesnt put myself as a beginner with the whole interface stuff in front of too many questions... Thanks for the recommandation!

[@Afrofeet]

I bought SSL2 because of this video 😀 My guitar sounds so much better then trough my old interface. Presets in my amp-sim now sounds great.

[@alanterry9993]

Hi! Happy to read that :) I was wondering, what was your previous interface? At the moment I have a Focusrite Scarlett, and I don't know what's the best upgrade. God bless ya

[@Afrofeet]

@@alanterry9993 I dont think that SSL2 is much of an upgrade to Scarlett. But I had old Fender Mustang 1 amplifier with usb connection.

[@Airtrooper719]

@@alanterry9993 definately an upgrade, i owned the solo, 2i2 and 4i4. Since owning the SSL2+ have never had a desire to upgrade to anything else.

[@TheGeekosDen]

@@Afrofeet The SSL2 pre-amps mop the floor with the Scarlett.

[@DalleyMusic]

I also read that a very good price-point competitor would be the Audient iD14.

[@FelipeGruberTV]

Excellent, Ola! Nerdy stuff is ok, I think most of us are nerdy as hell, like you maybe, so please do more like this, I'm sure lot of people enjoyed this one as much as I did, It remainds me some of your old videos. Awesome one, cheers from Venezuela.

[@jimmintz4348]

Word of the day "yourself" Nice video and very informative Ola!

[@Airtrooper719]

Worth mentioning, they recently updated the drivers with software loopback. So its as easy as selecting loopback as your audio input for live streaming or playing over zoom etc. Thats a feature that isn't mentioned on the box.

[@Skyler-Blucifer]

Ola, great video! this is very helpful for me, as i have been in the market for a new interface for awhile, and you're doing a great job educating me, teaching me exactly what i want when looking for a new interface.

[@jonmoser484]

This was a great, sound, analysis. You continue to be the man!! Thanks, and stay safe and sane...ish.

[@brunowilliam7529]

Great video! I love the very organized and structured review format!

[@LunaticTheCat]

This video came at the perfect time for me. Thanks for the advice, Ola.

[@cheatereater3495]

I actually think this is exactly how one SHOULD REVIEW THESE!!!!!! THANKS!!!!

[@gn0sis603]

Dang that noise floor... i bought an SSL2+ unit that sweetwater had used in some demonstrations so i got it cheaper, and a couple weeks before most ppl got theirs. Im really happy with the 4k sound, it helps me get killer guitar tones

[@mwrecordingstudio4238]

Awesome video!! Very usefull, thank you Ola!

[@dpshtPH]

just bought SSL2+ and saw the lowest buffer size available is 16 samples. 2.5 latency which surprised me for real. good buy overall.

[@algleymi24]

start watching video thinking about the SSL 2, leave video needing the Apogee Ensemble

[@davidroikit8121]

I had an Ensemble, worst piece of gear I ever brought. It even completely died just after the warranty ended.

[@lordmanshaft1112]

The audience ID14 is pretty killer for this type of application. good customer support too

[@23Guitardood]

@@lordmanshaft1112 Audient*

[@lordmanshaft1112]

@@23Guitardood Thanks; Autocorrect strikes again.

[@eliaskapravelos7171]

Save your money and buy an Audient id44, better DAC, or just go all out and get a metric halo

[@5urg3x]

Epic tip with how to test the noise...lol sorry for the multiple comments but I love this video. Lots of cool stuff and info here! I just tested my interface with the multimeter plugin (make sure to turn any noise gates off!) and it's in line with your Arrow.

[@FilipFichoBoshevski]

A very nice, helpfull, informative and in depth video, wow...not a single burp even. I'm getting worried...

[@LiftedNoise]

If i wanted to use this as a preamp only, not an audio interface, could I power it with a phone charger brick?

[@brianb4877]

Believe it or not, I’ve been really stoked for this video lol, TY

[@Soldano999]

Important information for people who have old M-Audio interfaces: Windows 10 recognizes the devices and runs the latest version of the M-Audio app. That means altough they're not supported anymore you can use them without drivers. I was about to buy a new interface but decided to give it a shit a sure enough my Mobile Pre USB and my Jam lab both work just fine in Windows and reaper.

[@ProgMax1992]

Hi Ola, it would be really cool if you could compare more consumer level audio interfaces like the audient id14 or focusrite scarlett 2i2 with your other gear. Thanks for this really informative comparison!

[@davidcastonguay2927]

Really great content man! Those kind of reviews are putting numbers into play when it comes to compare one product to another. It's not nerdy, it's professional. One suggestion I may give for a futur video would to analyze different kinds of distorted guitar signal chains in terms of their frequency content. There must be quite a lot to say about a good chugging guitar sound spectrum and a bad one...

[@frederic_viennot]

Awesome comparison; thank you for sharing !!!!!

[@jorrickthole6505]

Great video. Very detailed. Thank you 🤘💀🤘

[@dgmwitz]

ola I was literally looking for one of these thanks sm

[@TripleXbeatz]

Nice review. I watched it about a month or so back prior to buying the SSL as a backup interface. But after some meticulous testing Ive come to the conclusion that you must have some kind of USB noise or interference going on there. The only way I could even come close to what you demonstrated was using an unbalanced cable with both LINE and HI-Z in the ON position and the input volume maxed out, and even then it wasn't close to the amount of noise you were getting. Its also worth mentioning that the difference between the input gain being at 9 versus 10, the audible noise was significantly lower. I then tested some guitar recordings and found that even just recording directly from the guitar to the SSL, there was no usage scenario where I really needed to have the input volume past 50%-70% up. And certainly not 90%-100%. SO I think in every day use this noise will not be a problem, and for stereo signals with balances cables, its non-existent. Unless users have some kind of USB interference going on, or record only mono inputs using unbalanced cables with the input gain beyond 70%, its not likely to be problematic. For those that fit that criteria, maybe skip this LOL. Overall, I think its a decent little interface (dare I call it "little") for the price, especially the lesser expensive 2x2 version. I also have an Apollo, so this is just a backup unit for me. Thanks again for the review!

[@DamageInc86]

I noticed breaking up and noise in mine, amd I'm curious if there are any noise reducing usb cables that can filter any of that out on the way to the computer.

[@c0ldcity]

Hi Ola, just a note when testing the noisefloors of the preamps with gain maxed. Some interfaces ground the preamp input if no jack is plugged in, while some don't; so to ensure a fair comparism it's worthwhile to put a jack plug (with no cable) in the input.

[@c0ldcity]

Just to add -- even better than a metal jack is a piece of 6mm wooden dowel, just to open the jack socket switch contacts.

[@MartianTech]

@@c0ldcity No, I think you want to short the input on all interfaces. The noise level of a floating high impedance input is not really representative of anything.

[@benachurch]

Great video Ola!! That’s was awesome! 🤘🏻🇦🇺🤘🏻

[@maxupp]

Honestly impressed with the review, wish there were more interface reviews like this. One point of constructive criticism: The difference in levels on the DI recording made judging the samples really difficult. To our ears louder sounds better, and thus my initial impression was that the SSL sounds way worse than the other too, which I'm not sure is correct. You may want to normalize these clips so they have the same energy level.

[@CarcPazu]

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter. Those are minor differences that look huge when you zoom on the. But we're walking details here and there that could be matched with slight EQ moves.

[@AcysLounge]

It sounds very different without distortion, just listened to it with headphones, to me it is a big difference!

[@guitarpilipinasproduction414]

Awesome content Ola! Thanks!

[@sorgutentarer]

You can use Boss GT100, fix your amp via Send/Return, and record both WET and DRY (DI) signal. WET has the sound you want, and dialled in. DI is for re-amping later. Engineer can check the wet track to hear what you wanted to sound like.

[@ontogeny6474]

Nerdvana at it's finest. Most appreciated!

[@breeminator]

What did you have connected to the input when you looked at the noise at max gain? If you have the input open, then it will have high noise, but it's not a meaningful test. Julian Krause found the SSL 2 to have exceptionally low noise with a dummy load connected to the input.

[@massivebeatzz]

i was thinking that that noise measurement could not be right.

[@mprater86]

I love the nerd deep dive videos with Ola :D

[@Earth-Worm-Tim]

This is EXACTLY why I’m a member. I have been trying to figure out how to select a good audio interface between the cheaper (100-600 USD) and then the jump to (1-3K) audio interfaces. I’m too much of a recording newbie to go buy a badass Apogee interface, but the I’ve been eyeballing a couple UADs and the fact the UAD is so comparable to the Apogee just solidified my decision I do believe. Thanks again Ola 🤘🏼

[@sirspikey]

More of these comparing interfaces, really informative!

[@georgevl2658]

very usefull video,good job Ola!

I'm planning to buy SSL 2+ and this comparison review is the best ever about this product. You should make more videos about recording gear Ola, Thanks!

[@destroyyya9325]

i took a vodka shot every time you said "for instance", now im waiting for the emergency

[@LitesLAB]

Great demo Ola! I think you were both fair and through in your assessment. 🤘🏻

[@justenaallen1020]

YOU GIVING ME STONE COLD STEVE

[@TheEmperorOfIceCream]

Loved how thorough you are with this testing. I wish other content creators did such a thorough job. I'm in the market for an audio interface and am thinking of going with the Tascam Model 12 because it covers so much. I just wish there was a thorough video documenting tests like this one for it.

[@ryand4533]

OMG I had no idea SSL finally made an interface for home studios?!?!?!!!!!! Thank you for covering this!!!!🙏🏻

[@davidjenkins3101]

Great video Ola the explainer

[@mechtechguy8192]

Really liked this video. Do more of these please!

[@morphine0000]

Ola, you probably already know this, but it's worth checking: see if the power adapter for the unit is too close to another one that makes noise, and/or if any of your signal cables are passing close to it. I've come across this when dealing with my interface -- my phone charger emits high-frequency noise which both the interface power adapter and headphone cable would pick up. Moving the power adapter for the interface 1 or 2 plugs away and making sure all the signal cables weren't near the noisy bit helped a ton.

[@morphine0000]

@@user-dv1jz5od6k Not sure I understand how your question relates to my comment :) I was explaining how the noise that Ola got in the video might not be from the interface.

[@user-dv1jz5od6k]

@@morphine0000 sorry

[@redsix49]

Cool vid...learned a lot from Ola today

[@mohitsakhare2938]

Hey Ola! Can you review Axe I/O guitar interface?

[@metalmorningthoughts6607]

Outstanding vid loved it as always \m/

[@BenjaminFranceMusic]

Thanks for the informative, in-depth review Ola! I was curious about this, but I think I'll stick with my UAD Apollo Twin after watching this and after listening.

[@keebitsimplehu3954]

Jopp, my next Interface .. thanks Ola !

[@Oilid]

I like Mr Ola Nerdy Manbun!

[@dreadveil]

Just for fun, I tested my U-phoria UMC22 by the same standards you presented here. The noise level was unbelievably low (on par or even LESS than the UAD Arrow) and the latency was pretty close to the SSL2 (7,2 round trip and 3,2 output). The last interface I used was a TC Electronic Impact Twin and the clarity is on par with that. Apparently the MIDAS preamp they put in these things is pretty legit. I use it with an SM7b and EMG 81/85s and it sounds crazy good. When I bought mine, they were literally $40. They've since gone up in price to $68, but still. An absolute steal as a backup or even a main (since I'm using mine now all the time). Check it out sometime!

[@moheuropeanassult]

People dismiss Behringer stuff as cheap and trash, but honestly it's some pretty good stuff. I haven't had any issues with my 404HD and I've had it for 2 years. I had one issue trying to use it as my main sound card in Windows but I finally realized all this time I had the WRONG one installed. Apparently they had one specifically for Windows 10... Sure as the world my issue was gone. I felt really dumb after that.