Universal Audio UAD POWERED PLUG-INS ver.6.1 - Manual (Page 535)

UAD Powered Plug-Ins Manual - 535 - Chapter 53: SSL E Channel Strip
Power The Power button determines whether the plug-in is active.
Click the Power button to disable the processor. Power is useful
for comparing the processed sound to that of the original sig-
nal.
Usage Notes
The SSL E Series channel has been used to mix more hit records than any
other in history. Its no-nonsense feature and control set make it easy to get the
sound you're looking for.
A useful approach to getting to know the SSL E is to start with a fresh mix,
where little to no EQ or dynamic mixing has been done yet. Even better, start
you mix with the SSL G Bus Comp on the master fader as well, which will give
you the complete SSL sound. For an even more authentic SSL experience, ad-
just your DAW's default pan rule (usually +3) to SSL's custom +4.5 rule.
There are two four-band (LF, LMF, HMF HF) EQ options on the SSL E, known
as “brown” and “black”. It is important to note that while only the LF bass
knobs change color when switching EQ's, ALL bands are affected.
Brown is the original SSL design, with gentler Q, and smaller gain and fre-
quency ranges. It is the easier of the two to easily get a good, musical sound.
LC and HC filtering is a gentle 12 dB. Brown is the recommended starting
place for those unfamiliar with SSL. The black EQ is a later design, with the
option for narrower Q and broader gain and frequency ranges, making it
more useful for fixative EQ as sweetening. The black EQ design changes
were recommended by famed Beatles producer George Martin. Each band is
different from the brown design, plus the The LC is a steeper 18 dB per oc-
tave. The normal arrangement is dynamics first, but the EQ can be put as the
first process with the “PRE DYN” (Pre Dynamics) button.
It is interesting to note that the console labels did not change on the consoles
moving from the -/+ 15 dB gain range to the -/+ 18 dB of the black EQ, nor
did the frequency or Q labels.
The gain section has remained largely the same on SSL consoles from the be-
ginning until now, with dedicated VCA compressor and expand/gate cir-
cuits.