Solid State Logic SSL Super 9000 – SuperAnalogue Channel Strip
$3,199.00
Delivering the legendary SuperAnalogue™ sound that defined the 9000 Series consoles – renowned for their ultra-low distortion, massive punch, and crystal-clear definition – the Solid State Logic SSL Super 9000 Channel Strip combines SSL’s most advanced analog mic preamps, VHD™ harmonic drive, iconic Pink (292) and Black (242) EQ circuits, and precision dynamics control, the Super 9000 brings flagship console performance into a compact 1U rack format. Designed for engineers who demand pristine audio quality and flexible routing, it’s the perfect blend of heritage SSL tone and modern workflow innovation – the ultimate channel strip for today’s high-end studios.
Solid State Logic SSL Super 9000 – SuperAnalogue Channel Strip
OVERVIEW
Superior Punch and Clarity – Unparalleled SuperAnalogue™ Performance.
Super 9000 is Solid State Logic’s all-in-one analogue channel strip, combining the best of SuperAnalogue™ technology to deliver the modern SSL sound. First introduced in the legendary SL 9000 J and perfected in the Duality, the Super 9000 Channel Strip offers the ultra-low distortion, exceptional punch, and breathtaking clarity of our SuperAnalogue™ studio consoles in 1U.
The 9000 Series Legacy
The 9000 Series became the benchmark for modern music production, trusted by the world’s most influential artists and engineers. Seminal hip-hop and R&B artists such as Dr Dre, Jay-Z, NAS, DMX, Mary J Blige, and Nicki Minaj relied on its precision and depth. Rock giants like Metallica, as well as the Fugees’ Wyclef Jean, installed 9000 Series consoles in their private studios. Its sonic signature – clean, wide, and open with extended highs, ultra-deep lows, and punch which could knock you down in the control room – paved the way for the modern SSL sound.
Prestigious studios, including Abbey Road and Metropolis Studios (London), Real World (Bath), Record Plant (LA), and Avatar/Power Station (NY), quickly made the 9000 Series their standard. Top engineers such as Manny Marroquin (Alicia Keys, Rihanna), Michael Brauer (Coldplay, John Mayer), Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin), and Tony Maserati (Jay-Z, Beyoncé) used SuperAnalogue™ sound to craft genre-defining hits.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
SuperAnalogue™ Technology
SuperAnalogue™ technology creates a signal path so transparent and wide bandwidth that nothing is lost, putting the engineer right there in the room with the artist. It’s key design elements include a super-wide audio bandwidth, a ruler-flat frequency response, ultra-low transient intermodulation distortion, the absence of electrolytic capacitors in the audio path, extremely low noise and harmonic distortion, and exceptionally low phase shift across the audible spectrum.
The result is unmatched punch, definition, and a larger-than-life sound stage – qualities that define the modern “SSL sound” and are why SuperAnalogue™ consoles remain the professional’s choice for music production.
Dual Mic Amp – SuperAnalogue™ or VHD™
Choose between two world-class preamps, just like on our flagship Duality console. Opt for the pristine, high-headroom SuperAnalogue™ preamp for unmatched clarity, or switch to the Variable Harmonic Drive (VHD) circuit to add character and saturation. Shape your tone by dialling in 2nd order harmonics for rich, valve-like warmth, or add 3rd order harmonics for a harder, transistor-style edge. The INPUT FLIP button allows you to run the line-input through the VHD preamp, making it easy to add harmonic colour to DAW stems or line-level instruments and sources.
Full Dynamics Processing
The Super 9000 features our quintessential modern dynamics section, delivering ultimate control and punch. Built around the high-performance THAT 2181A VCA, the compressor includes a switchable Fast Attack mode and the Peak Detect option—first introduced on the SL 9000 console and carried through to the Duality series. It also incorporates SSL’s classic Expander/Gate section with variable hysteresis built into the Threshold, plus a HOLD control for precise gate and downward expansion management. Additionally, Super 9000 allows the dynamics section to be moved Pre and Post EQ.
Pink (292) and Black (242) EQ Circuits & HP/LP Filters
Choose your SSL EQ: the 292 G-Series ‘Pink Knob’ EQ circuit or the 242 E-Series ‘Black Knob’ EQ circuit. The 292’s variable-Q design delivers smooth, wide boosts and cuts that tighten as you push harder, while its shelves feature a steeper slope and the signature ‘undershoot/overshoot’ for that renowned SSL musicality. The 242’s constant-Q design, developed in collaboration with Sir George Martin, gives more surgical control when compared to the 292. The Super 9000 EQ section also features two buttons labelled ‘E Bell/G÷3’ and ‘Gx3/E Bell.’
When in 292 mode, these buttons allow the Low-Mid Frequency to be divided by 3 and the High-Mid Frequency to be multiplied by 3, so that the mid-bands can be used to target frequencies far outside of their standard range, providing incredible flexibility. In 242 mode, these buttons switch the Low Frequency and High Frequency bands between Bell and Shelving modes. As expected from SSL, the EQ can be placed in the dynamics sidechain, and the High-Pass (18dB/oct) and Low-Pass (12dB/oct) filters can be fully bypassed or routed to input or dynamics sidechain for ultimate control.
Flexible Processing & Routing
Super 9000 includes a balanced insert point for integrating additional outboard gear into the signal path. The insert can be repositioned from its default location (immediately after the input stage) to the output stage, just before the Output Trim. Super 9000 also features a dedicated external dynamics sidechain (key) input, flexible processing re-ordering, and dynamics sidechain linking – ideal when using two Super 9000 units as a stereo pair.
The Input Flip button routes the LINE input to the Mic Pre, whilst the rear MIC connection becomes routed through the LINE path – an easy way to process line-level DAW returns with saturation/distortion processing at the mix stage, without having to manually re-patch.
FEATURES & TECHNICAL SPECS
Dual Mic Pre – Choose between SuperAnalogue™ (9000) & VHD™ (Duality) w/ +48V, Polarity invert, and Pad
2 Impedance options for the mic pre: 1.3 kΩ and 11 kΩ
Dedicated LINE Input with “Input Flip” to run through the Mic Pre
Quintessential 9000/Duality Dynamics section:
- High-Performance THAT 2181A VCA compressor section.
- Peak/Hard Knee or Soft Knee modes.
- Program-Dependent or Fast Attack on/off.
- Logarithmic or Linear Release Modes.
Classic Gate/Expander section:
- Fast Attack on/off.
- Hold control.
4-band SSL EQ with switchable modes.:
- Fully parametric mid-bands.
- Switchable between G-Series ‘Pink Knob’ 292 and E-Series ‘Black Knob’ 242 circuits.
High and Low Pass filters:
- 18 dB per octave HPF & 12 dB per octave LPF.
Balanced Insert point for connecting external devices into the signal path
Extensive ‘to sidechain’ functionality:
- Filters to Dynamics sidechain.
- EQ to Dynamics sidechain.
Flexible process-order routing:
- Filters to input, Dynamics and Insert to output.
Line Output Trim
Switchable input/output metering
External sidechain (key) input
Dynamics sidechain link – allows 2 x Super 9000’s compressors to work as a stereo pair (loudest signal wins). Linking via a TS/TRS jack cable (not included).
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