Vintage Studio POWER!!! The ALL-NEW SSL-18 High-Performance USB Audio Interface! 🔥 🎛️ 😲

[@QerjijNabil]

The Only review who goes in deep into this new Audio Interface ! Thanks for this

[@longandmcquade]

You're welcome!! We were fortunate to get early access to this interface which allowed us to go more in depth than some others.

[@groovyhippie1165]

Very cool and great playing André!

[@lukehenderson]

I really hope Long and McQuade keeps doing these kinds of deep dives for new products.

[@longandmcquade]

We will! 🥰

[@peaterrepeater4441]

Great choice of an intro track!

[@longandmcquade]

Thanks, and we'll keep on trying til we reach the highest ground.

[@jasonperreira1783]

Ku!!!! Great job brother. Looking and sounding great!

[@longandmcquade]

Thanks Jason!

[@JS_Guitar09]

Loooooooooong and Mcquade, where the music begins!

[@AlexM737F]

Great interface! I’m really tempted to get the SSL 18 for extra ADAT preamps. How SSL18 preamps sounds compared to Audient ASP800? Could it be worth to replace Audient asp800 with SSL18?

[@krokmiten]

An instrument returns is an awesome ideas. I don't think I ever saw this on an audio interface, including the RME lines.

[@longandmcquade]

Super handy feature. The MOTU 828es had a pair of sends, but no returns, you just had to use a couple of the line inputs. It's nice that the SSL-18 has a pair of dedicated returns without losing two line ins.

[@JSK7]

Amazing.!!!

[@zach0827]

Sounds really great ❤

[@longandmcquade]

Thanks!

[@audiomaximo]

thanks for video! what do you think is luna? is doing better now ?

[@longandmcquade]

Luna has certainly come into its own from where it started. We love that it's FREE, Mac AND PC now and can be used with any interface, not just a UA interface.

[@marcfrenette1599]

Great unit. When recording alone like you did, how do you start and stop recording from the tracking room I have 2 seperarate rooms 2 but want to record my own drums

[@m00t1]

11:38 With Cubase for example, you can get an app (either android or for iPhone/iPad) that if on the same network as your daw, connects. Wth that you have basic functionality, return to start of track, start, stop, record, mute etc. App is called cubase ic. Wth this you could be in another room with basic control functionality.

[@marcfrenette1599]

@@m00t1 I has protools but I was tired of paying a crap load, so I recently bought Logic and I love it. I will check to see if they offer something similar. thanks the quick reply.

[@longandmcquade]

We do have the Avid Control app when using Pro Tools, so we have an iPad in the tracking room while the Mac Studio is in the control room. But, in this case, we used Luna, and well... we hit record in one room, walked over to the other room, and started drumming. Not a super fancy solution but walking works! 😂 You can probably set up a Remote Desktop to control your computer from a phone or tablet. Duplicate the display out of your computer with a different HDMI/DP port, or use a splitter to another display in your tracking room, and use a wireless keyboard with a trackpad like a Logitech K400 to start and stop.

[@marcfrenette1599]

@@longandmcquade Thank you for all the detail. I'll definitely try that

[@lucasjuniorproducer]

And if i want to use my Antelope Clock? There is no WC IN just out. How ill do that? Thank you.. And is it possible to record a vocal latency free with a reverb? There is DSP on 360 software?.Great video and not ike other brands its USB and not thundershiiiiittttt for us Windows PC users is awesome. I can Put my Apollo Quad on the bench.

[@lambrostaklis9246]

I would like to know also

[@artysanmobile]

Lack of WC in is not a dealbreaker. Any digital input of any protocol can be used to clock an audio converter to a high degree of accuracy. It can be used this way whether or not it is also in service carrying audio. So, no problem.

[@longandmcquade]

Correct there is no WC in, so you'd have to use the SSL-18 as the master, or clock with ADAT. SSL's PlateVerb is near zero latency, and FlexVerb has a low-latency mode, but you're still at the mercy of your buffer size.

[@artysanmobile]

@@longandmcquade This is not the bad old days of jitter instability. Every digital input on any piece of equipment can create perfect sync due to advanced reclocking done within all the DAC chips in common use. At the very worst, this is done at a cost to latency in the order of 2 or 3 samples, not even enough to mention. Latency, by the way, has not been discussed yet on this new piece, but at the advertised 192kHz SR, A to D latency is less than a third of what we are accustomed to at 48k. I’m hoping to see some real world-class numbers here. SSL is using the very latest converters which all feature ad-friendly 32bit conversion. This doesn’t really increase resolution so much as provide working room for high-rate DSP. I’d count on SSL to understand the ultimate importance of ignorable latency.

[@longandmcquade]

@@artysanmobile Absolutely, we agree, which is why we suggest that using the SSL-18 as the master clock or clocking with an ADAT device. A dedicated clock isn't really a necessity these days.

[@YesItsReallyKeith]

hey Andre can you please let me know what is the rack system you have in the video? thank you !!!

[@longandmcquade]

That's the Jamstands Rolling Rack from Ultimate Support: www.long-mcquade.com/116703

[@YesItsReallyKeith]

@@longandmcquade hey thanks... i found it on the LM site and it got delivered today !!! cheers

[@Spidouz]

I was looking to get something like that, but from UA, I would need an Apollo X8 (for SPDIF) and an Apollo X4… which would mean over $5k. Here, I would get everything I would need (including MIDI) for a thousand bucks with SSL quality (that I like with their such the small interface already). 2 ADATs to add a 8 Neve Preamp (1073 OPX) and a SSL Alpha 8 for outboard gear (or maybe even a Rack 500 chassis with ADAT such the Heritage Audio)… that would be more than I would ever need, and I could build it step by step, starting with this SSL 18…. I really like it

[@longandmcquade]

We love UA, their interfaces and their plugins. We believe that their interfaces are on a different level than this SSL-18. But for the price, it's REALLY hard to beat the SSL-18. You're talking 2.5-3x the price of the SSL for the UA x8p. If you're not looking to get into the UA ecosystem with their software and plugins, the SSL-18 brings your cost of entry way down and allows you to add the other gear you mentioned.

[@frankpaws]

Its great but not being able to clock to a master source is kind of a deal breaker.

[@longandmcquade]

W/C in would have been nice. The new Audient iD48 has it, so that might be a better option for you.

[@carlosj.huaman4635]

Looks good, How much?

[@longandmcquade]

Check the link to the product page in the description for the most up-to-date price. Currently it's $1669CAD which we think is a fantastic value for what you're getting.

[@8thnerv769]

what the rack rash?

[@longandmcquade]

It was a demo unit sent to us from SC Media who distributes SSL across Canada. It's been around the block a bit, we're not sure where along the way it acquired that wear.

[@teashea1]

Somebody didn't care much - careless.

[@dividedbytimestudios]

This or Focusrite Clarett 8pre?

[@longandmcquade]

Similar units, each even have their own enhancement flavour on the input, "Air" vs "4K". The Clarett 8pre is lacking on I/O in comparison though, as it's missing a set of ADAT I/O making it 18-in/20-out, as opposed to 26-in/28-out like the SSL-18. The Clarett 8pre is a few hundred dollars more affordable though, so it depends on your I/O needs and how much external gear you plan on using with it.

[@rjb7569]

Only one recommended DAW?

[@longandmcquade]

No, Luna is just what we ended up using for this demo because it's FREE and cross-compatible with Mac and Windows, so literally anyone can use it! It's also compatible with almost any other DAW out there, including Pro Tools, Logic/Garageband, Cubase/Nuendo, Reaper, Studio One, etc.

[@MultiKulti]

Where do you see the "vintage" in it? haha

[@longandmcquade]

It's certainly vintage-inspired. Just based on the aethetics alone, using the same coloured-cap knobs as on vintage SSL consoles, and the lack of a screen on the faceplate makes it feel like a more timeless design, more reminicent of vintage gear as opposed to a piece of bleeding-edge modern tech (compared to say the new Audient interfaces). Although, the SSL-18 has that too, but utilized in such a way to make the interface look, feel, and sound more like vintage SSL gear. The 4K button adds analog circuitry to your input signal to enhance the sound (high frequency boost, harmonic distortion, etc) which is reminicent of a vintage 4000 series SSL console.

[@MultiKulti]

@@longandmcquade its a modern transformerless cirquitry . Nothing vintage in it (its funny because even 4k was never considered "vintage" sounding) and thats not bad at all!

[@paulsarodh5460]

🎹R💙CKN 🎸💝🎹🎶🎶

[@chatwithmichael]

Now what about this is vintage??

[@longandmcquade]

It's vintage-inspired. Just based on the aethetics alone, using the same coloured-cap knobs as on vintage SSL consoles, and the lack of a screen on the faceplate makes it feel like a more timeless design, more reminicent of vintage gear as opposed to a piece of bleeding-edge modern tech (compared to say the new Audient interfaces). Although, the SSL-18 has that too, but utilized in such a way to make the interface look, feel, and sound more like vintage SSL gear. The 4K button adds analog circuitry to your input signal to enhance the sound (high frequency boost, harmonic distortion, etc) which is reminicent of a vintage 4000 series SSL console.

[@chatwithmichael]

@ your answer shows exactly what‘s the problem with todays homerecording scene. A manufacturer just has to get the looks of something right and people like you will claim its vintage (-inspired). Nevermind that there is not a single component in the circuit of this device that would have been found on a vintage console. The knobs look cool and it can do some sort of saturation …must be vintage.

[@teashea1]

Nice easy style but ..... All you did was read the SSL promo material. Not much of a review.

[@artysanmobile]

You don’t know much about Thunderbolt, obviously. It is so insanely overkill for any interface of 8, 16, even 32 channels of audio, it makes no sense to use a protocol with so many drawbacks when USB3 is a perfect match for a piece’s capability. How would you feel about $200 for a cable instead of $20? Still not convinced. Maybe you don’t find it attractive that dozens of manufacturers have flawless USB interfaces while there are still a few who struggle with their TB drivers. Or, that TB use obligates a builder to pay the not-insignificant license fee Thunderbolts’ creator, Intel, to put that capability into a piece of their manufacture. $200 - 300 will be added to the cost for no good reason at all. Get with the program. Thunderbolt data speeds begin at the equivalent of over 1000 channels of 32b 192kHz audio. Data rates that high do not use copper, but rather optical fiber, yet one more truly giant expense to go past totally unnecessary bit rates. You may have noticed many manufacturers don’t use it. Now, you know why.

[@longandmcquade]

We assume this was in response to the comment from @sinnombre5466?

[@artysanmobile]

@ Yes, and I’m very sorry I didn’t reference that. My KZbin is almost random about tagging the comment I am replying to and I forget to do it manually sometimes.. Please forgive.

[@guitaristfirst9697]

I hope it's not super old and slow USB 2.0 interface ? USB 3.0 no?

[@longandmcquade]

We checked the specs and they don't explicitly state the transfer rate of the unit. We can see why, it's a bit of a misunderstood specification. It uses USB-C connection, but it can still be 2.0 or 3.0 protcol. The reality is, even if it's 2.0, that's still more than enough bandwidth for all channels of audio I/O.

[@Wolfbabypuppylove]

​@@longandmcquadeyeah agreed RME never saw the urgency to hop on to thunderbolt or usb 3. Speaks volumes.

[@teashea1]

2.0 is far more than enough. Do some research.

[@pavelpavlov954]

Yeah SSL4k sound in a click of a button... That gimmick probably sells. I saw also the 2k usd plastic VCA compressor from Neve... Nothing vintage or authentic into this cheap crappy devices made only to gain profit....

[@AirwavesAmateurRadio]

This thing costs $1200. It’s a crazy value for what you’re getting.

[@pavelpavlov954]

@@AirwavesAmateurRadio Crazy value? If you say so...

[@Onenessisblack]

@pavelpavlov954 what would you get on that price range?

[@AirwavesAmateurRadio]

@@pavelpavlov954 I have an SSL BiG SiX and a SSL 2 MKII. Yeah, their latest budget releases have been great value stuff. What would you suggest is likely better than the SSL 18 in build and price?

[@BennSutcliffe]

I think I’ll buy the new Audient……

[@sinnombre5466]

No thunderbolt? …. Boooo!

[@longandmcquade]

That's a huge YAY from us.

[@yeetsquad9380]

@@longandmcquadewhat would you say USB does better than thunderbolt? Just bought one of these to use in conjunction with my Apollo and curious 😂what the difference is

[@teashea1]

thunderbolt has been a terrible failure. It has 1percent of the market.

[@longandmcquade]

@@yeetsquad9380 We'd prefer USB due to the meaning of the U: Universal. Thunderbolt is available on macs and lots of newer laptops. But lots of desktop PC motherboards, even newer ones, don't support Thunderbolt, and PCIe cards for the motherboards that do support it are expensive, as are the cables. Would you rather spend $100 on a Thunderbolt add-in card and $60 for a Thunderbolt cable? Or almost any USB-C cable with any USB-C port on any mac or PC machine? Thunderbolt 3 has theoretical transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps, where as USB-C 3.0 can get up to 10Gbps, so TB3 is 4x faster. But if USB-C 3.0 has all the bandwidth needed (and then some) to transfer all channels of audio to your computer, then why would 4x more be needed with TB3?

[@lkx360]

Is this unit class compliant for plug and play audio? Or is software required?

[@longandmcquade]

It's class compliant, meaning it will work without drivers in macOS 13 or later or Windows 10 or later. However, to get the most out of the unit, there is a software mixer and control panel element like most audio interfaces have these days.