The SSL 4000 Recording Console - Part 1 - The Channel Strip Tutorial

Take a close up tour of the legendary Solid State Logic 4000 series console!
This video looks at the mono channel strip and all of its functions, we also pull out a strip from the console to have a close up look.
Part 2 and 3 will delve into the centre section, power supplies and calibration methods.
If you have any questions or clarifications, leave them in the comments and we'll try to do a followup video soon.
Also forgive my waffling, it's quite difficult to explain the complexities of these consoles in a 15 minute video, but I've edited it down the best I could
Thanks
Chad

[@bonchbonch]

It's so hard to find good videos about real analog consoles rather than their respective channel strip plug-ins.

[@ChadBlondel]

happy to help :)

[@joeking9760]

@@ChadBlondel Thank you!

[@thelightmonkey1970]

As a lover of SSL plugins, this is so interesting to see the Real McCoy. Thanks!

[@adamtulk5896]

Great video! Never get tired of seeing a 4000 described!

[@rahulraj-us9er]

Thank you for the info about SSL console...I was searching for this kind of video for long time and couldn't find except this 👍👍

[@mikej6565]

I love to see that it's been nicely recapped! Even noticed the C9 upgrade on the VCA card. Glad to see desks properly being tech'ed, especially when so many of them get neglected and nearly scrapped!

[@christianoldewolbers7243]

Thank you for your Video Chad! i just bought a 4000G+ previously owned by Stone Temple Pilots. Your video is very very helpful! Cheers from Los Angeles

[@ChadBlondel]

No worries mate, glad to contribute to the SSL hivemind 😀

[@alexmelin2621]

Man that’s incredible… do you know if they recorded anything we might have heard on it?

[@adriatic123]

Great explanation of this console working, thanks

[@ZakRahman]

This is absolutely incredible. Thank you!

[@ReginatorNet]

Really impressive engineering by SSL.

[@thanksmomstudio]

You went in depth - thanks for that

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

awesome video! Very straightforward and easy to follow thanks for the infos!

[@interray11]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@o.g.tommye7580]

Thank you for explaining the SSL desks.

[@jordangunit3078]

Cool video. Nice add for people that don’t know, you pull the red mic knob up to engage 48v phantom power.. could be the other way around. It’s been years but it’s worth knowing for using onboard mic pres. Excellent explanations. The touring matrix is what people need the most help with I find.

[@ChadBlondel]

Great tip!

[@ASAPHBANDOFFICIAL754]

Thank you for your valuable intro😍❤️🙏

[@albackwardz]

This was so cool!!

[@MKD371]

The filter section to dynamics out, with the parallel routing in the SSL, is something all the plugins get wrong, you are able to use the eq normally, and the filters to go to the compressor. In the plugins, the filter and eq section goes through so you cannot use the eq as a normal eq, it becomes a side-chain.

[@razorgarf]

such a masterpiece

[@victorhovmand8728]

I'm probably never going to touch anything like this... But I can always dream and I love these kinda videos. You're amazing! Thanks

[@UltraCodex66]

Never say never mate, we've got a studio here in my country that actually houses a real 4000 and I definetly want to go and at least redo one of our tunes Which would be a great excuse to put my greasy mits all over it

[@lukeehret563]

Love this. Make more. How you integrate you DAw and console Work flow ...

[@ChadBlondel]

Might do a POV mix one of these days 🤔

[@andriealinsangao613]

​@@ChadBlondelYes please! And also routing!

[@leonkrimov6955]

Thank you Chad.

[@Skenderovski]

Great videos! Thanks for this! :)

[@ChadBlondel]

Your'e welcome:)

[@Lyb183]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@ChadBlondel]

youre welcome!

[@KreapOfficial]

This is so good

[@tiekumark]

great vid

[@kingech_B15]

You a god for this.

[@bazooka8004]

Great video. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ChadBlondel]

Cheers, hopefully it was helpful

[@luv-tsa3692]

Thanks 😊 man I want more about analog gear ⚙️

[@digitaldesigner5284]

The real thing. Fantastic console.

[@sinslap_]

What is the difference between a ssl and a neve and api and how they give it a natural saturation ?

[@Lucaboninimusic]

Definitely in the top 5 coolest things in perth

[@luv-tsa3692]

Can you make a video about this SSL 4000 like super beginners stuff. I understand most of it but some of them I couldn't so please make video about this...🙏🙏🙏

[@antoineaubier4172]

Hi ! Great vidéo ! Someone have a user manual of this console plz ? Thanks !

[@jakemurray3307]

Hotswapping channels is fine largely, but you will blow VCA chips. As you say at the end, it's best to turn off the bank that you're swapping into with the relevant dip-switch below the patchbay.

[@ChadBlondel]

Absolutely, hotswapping is not recommended :)

[@ricassoquixote4268]

What kind of screwdriver do you need for this? Is it JIS or Pozi screwdriver? Thank you

[@mathiaskarlsson4696]

How nice. Is spareparts awaileble?

[@dnkreative]

Does it cost like a house and require dedicated power plant?

[@larrytan73]

Big boy shit! Mybe in my next life I will own one.

[@alinbate4580]

Hi...This console can be use only with Pro Tools? And I can mix song without external effects and patch bay? For example VST like Kontakt and the plugins from Pro Tools. And it want to turn the EQ for a bass from Kontakt it works without Patchbay and External EQ? Thanks

[@MultiAli62]

No, you can use any DAW. If I understand you correctly, you don't use the console in it's full potential. Maybe you should stick with your DAW and your plugins.^^

[@karimazeli2653]

Nice tutorial!. How do you like the eq on the stereo channels?

[@ChadBlondel]

I love it!

[@tudorgheorghe4532]

As it is original in 2024 ssl is gardbige! With computer integration on ssd with new computer is pure gold!😅

[@preciseaudioblog]

Hi Chad! That’s the one than needs an extra room with A/C for its computer?

[@ChadBlondel]

Normally it would need its own machine room with AC, but I built a switch mode supply which runs super quiet and doesn't need a cooled room 😀

[@luisfabian5995]

How many microphones does that console takes

[@ChadBlondel]

72 inputs. 56 mic preamps :)

[@sinslap_]

Can somebody please explain why this board is worth so much money and what it does compared to my mixer on Logic Pro

[@lb2696]

It’s a massive amount of components, while the plug-in is just software. If you are asking why it could be worth it vs software, well, only if you are a professional studio or mixing engineer but analog still sounds better than software to some people’s ears. Work with what you have got.

[@Alexeyalexeev.]

Need sinus signal 100hz and 1000khz please!! Sinus +ssl= signal +harmonics)

[@corystevenponzo7007]

Bobs my unclem . Hi bob. 15.25

[@johnp.6692]

I don't get it, why are there so many rows? it's all the same buttons and stuff

[@cultivandovideirasemcasapo3008]

Very good your video about this fantastic ssl 4000! You just needed to explain how the soundboard is connected to the computer. How do you connect it to the pc? Do you use a usb audio interface for this? How would this interface be?

[@WeSuckAsHumans]

Holy crap thats a lot of options