SSL 2+ VS SSL 12 Review & Comparison | Find Out Which Is Best For You

[@theawesomeslimes]

This is the best comparison I have come across. It’s like all of the articles, videos, and forums in one shot. Thank you for this.

[@woodyardmusic]

Awesome! So glad it was helpful, thanks!

[@benjaminwlang]

You answered my question right away about how the instrument inputs work. Thanks!

[@woodyardmusic]

Glad to help!

[@matiasveraaravena7261]

This is the comparison and review I needed. No bias, just the facts. Looking for a simple interface to bring for a liveset, and the SSL2+ sounds like it's the way to go. Thank you for this!

[@woodyardmusic]

You’re welcome! Can’t go wrong with either honestly

[@Charles-qc2wq]

Great video! really like the vibe of the video and the flow. Very helpful and good taking points!

[@woodyardmusic]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it!

[@coin777]

You didn't mention most important differences. SSL12 has different converters, and different preamps. They do sound different. The 12 has digital volume control 2+ has analog one. You can bypass the preamps in the 12 one the 2+ don't have that option.

[@woodyardmusic]

Nice, thanks for adding that.

[@joshuadillon4396]

Which one is better for that ? Preamp signal noise etc ?

[@woodyardmusic]

@@joshuadillon4396 i think I'd say SSL 12, mostly because its newer and has the ability to accept Line Input. I haven't done the deep dive on the specs though.

[@plusone.network]

Agree here, the 12 is 32 bit while the 2+ is 24 bit

[@athomeontwo]

Not sure if it’s been noted but the SSL 12 I believe has 32 bit conversion versus the SSL2 has 24 bit conversion

[@woodyardmusic]

Good call, I wasn’t aware of that. Thanks!

[@thegeenius]

if "thorough breakdown" was a person-,, can't thank you enough for the solid points on each-,, strong points based on what you're using it for etc,-- Really helpful..

[@woodyardmusic]

Awesome! Glad this helped!

[@johne1599]

While the SSL 12 does have 32-bit ADAC conversion, the bigger, more expensive SSL SiX and BiG SiX Mixers only use 24-bit ADACs and they cost $1300 and $2700. So, how important is the 32-bit ADAC vs 24-bit ADAC? It’s nice to have, but not reason enough to jump from either SSL 2 up to the 12. You need more reasons than just the ADAC to spend 2.5 to 3.3 times more money, IMO.

[@woodyardmusic]

Yeah, I bought it for the preamps & ADAT. I have enough stuff in my studio that I’m pushing like 10 inputs so it’s nice to have everything plugged in. (Using a focusrite for ADAT inputs)

[@Sagerydian]

Can you bypass the preamps? Would be very helpful, if you want to use outboard gear.

[@woodyardmusic]

I don’t think you can aside from turning off the 4K mode. Granted if you’re coming in at line level from outside gear, the preamp will have very little effect/coloration on your signal. It’s also pretty clean to begin with so I wouldn’t worry too much about that.

[@coin777]

on the 12 you can on 2+ no

[@JohnsonLeePiano]

Hey… thanks for your video. Is it possible to use the ssl 12 with an iPad?

[@woodyardmusic]

Im not sure, but you’ve got me really curious now, I’ll try it out and let you know!

[@uddimuzic]

very well explained with detailing ...helpful.

[@woodyardmusic]

Thank you!

[@freeasabird6799]

so are you stuck with monitoring signal through the daw with the ssl 12? is there lots of latency?

[@woodyardmusic]

No, the SSL 12 has its own software mixer that you can set monitoring in. I haven’t had any issues with latency

[@AdamSliger]

I’ve been sleeping on these for sure

[@woodyardmusic]

They’re so good

[@MarianRenta]

I have tried everything under the sun, and I cannot fix the distortion I get from the SSL 2+. It’s crackling in the output (monitors, headphones), and it’s only when audio is playing. It occurs whether I’m in my DAW or simply playing iTunes or KZbin. I’m on a high end PC with windows 11. Been dealing with this for a week now. I contacted SSL and they didn’t help much. I’m moving on to the Audient ID44, but I’m stuck with the SSL 2+ since I can’t return it (threw away the packaging). Sucks that SSL2+ doesn’t have Adat.

[@woodyardmusic]

Oh wow that sounds awful. Have you tried it on a different computer just to rule that out? If it works you could at least sell it on reverb and get some money back

[@MarianRenta]

@@woodyardmusicYea, it doesn’t give the distortion on my older computer which is so odd since it’s an older computer with windows 10 and much slower CPU. I wanted to cry.. I’ve tried every single sample/buffer combo there is, reinstalling drivers, disabling all other audio devices, and nothing! If I can’t solve this, I’ll see if guitar center is willing to buy from me. I didn’t buy it from them but I hear they buy used or vintage gear.

[@woodyardmusic]

@@MarianRenta Guitar Center buys used gear but they will only give you about 60% of the used value. Could be worth it though because it’s easy

[@MarianRenta]

@@woodyardmusic Yes, I agree. Thank you so much for listening 😊

[@johne1599]

I bet a lot of people buy the 2+, when all they need is the SSL 2 for $50 less than the 2+. Most of us are using USB MIDI these days and don’t need the 5-pin MIDI jacks. ONLY if you have external MIDI gear which only connects via the 5-pin MIDI cables, do you need the 2+. If you need 4-inputs or more, then the SSL 12 is for you, with its ADAT expandability to add more and more preamps and inputs.

[@woodyardmusic]

Great points, I know I got the 2+ because of the 2nd headphone jack. I love the 12+ though. Still using it almost 1.5 years later!

[@monkmusic5994]

Does the 12 sound better due to new converters???

[@woodyardmusic]

I can’t hear a difference, if there is a difference, it’s very small. Both of them sound amazing so the bar is already pretty high. Having the high pass filter makes a bigger difference than the converters.

[@monkmusic5994]

Thank you mate!!!

[@wongtak354]

Sir, what do you think about the headphone output between ssl12 & ssl2+?

[@monkmusic5994]

I bought the Apogee Boom and do not own an Ssl device. Since I know their brilliant plugins, I guess the headphone amp is good on both devices. The Boom though is surely better in the ADC department, very defined bass, with 0 ohm resistence. I got it for 179 euros new!

[@woodyardmusic]

Just checked out the Apogee Boom, the price point is pretty great, wish it had more I/O though, I need at least 4in, 4 out for my room.

[@drdracula]

Can the ssl12 run on standalone, without software or connected to the computer? Can the Adat still be used in standalone?

[@woodyardmusic]

No, it’s needs to be connected to a computer and have the SSL software running

[@wooedpursued]

Yes, Ipad with USBC C. Class Compliant

[@chamindasamaranayaka2716]

Great video

[@woodyardmusic]

Thanks

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

Are both units 32 bit?

[@woodyardmusic]

Good question, had to look it up. Only the SSL12 is 32bit

[@300687p]

Is it just me, or there's someone else who's their SSL12 wont handle the buffer size on his bigger sessions? 🤔 My 2+ was doing just fine. Is it my laptop ??

[@woodyardmusic]

That’s odd for sure. Maybe it’s because 1. the SSL 360 software is running in the background (2+ doesn’t use it) -or- 2. The 12 draws most power (less likely but it’s an idea)

[@teashea1]

The 12 has better converters.

[@woodyardmusic]

Nice. That’s the one I ended up keeping anyways.