SSL Native Channel Strip 2 channel strip plugin interface by Solid State Logic

SSL Native Channel Strip 2: Console Channel Strip Plugin by Solid State Logic

Rated 4.8/5 on Plugin Boutique (566 ratings)

SSL Native Channel Strip 2 is a channel strip effects plugin from Solid State Logic that combines EQ, dynamics and filters based on SSL's console designs. It runs as VST3, VST2, AU and AAX on Windows and macOS.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

SSL Native Channel Strip 2 is a software version of the channel strip found on SSL 9000K consoles. It bundles a four-band parametric EQ, a compressor, a gate/expander and high and low pass filters into one insert. The developer says the plugin keeps the tone and workflow of the console original and adds an external side chain input and SSL's proprietary Anti-Cramping technology. It is aimed at producers who want familiar console-style processing on vocals, drums, bass and mix buses inside their DAW.

Best for

Vocal channel processing
Drum bus control
Bass shaping
Mix bus smoothing
Adding presence to sources

Developer: Solid State Logic
Category: Channel Strips
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Based on SSL 9000K console channel strip designs
Four-band parametric EQ with E- and G-Series characteristics
Variable high pass and low pass filters
Customizable signal flow routing for processor order
Soft ratio compression that keeps dynamic character
Sidechain processing for frequency-dependent compression
Gate/expander with smooth release response
Integrates with SSL 360 and UC1 and UF8 hardware

03In depth

Console-style EQ and dynamics

The EQ section is a classic four-band design with parametric low-mid and high-mid bands and shelving low and high bands. The low and high bands can be switched to bell mode. The whole EQ can be switched between E-Series and G-Series tonal characteristics, and it can also be applied to the dynamics side chain.

The dynamics section offers a separate compressor and gate/expander. The compressor can be switched between soft and hard knee. Both the compressor and the gate/expander have fast and slow attack switches and independent side chains. The developer describes the plugin as well suited to smoothing, controlling and adding presence to a wide range of source material.

Filters, routing and hardware control

Variable high pass and low pass filters are included, and they can also be applied to the side chain for frequency-dependent compression. Customizable signal flow routing lets you choose the order of the processors in the chain.

The plugin integrates with SSL 360 and can be controlled from SSL UC1 and UF8 hardware surfaces, which suits producers who already work with SSL control hardware.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Solid State Logic
Type	Plugin
Category	Channel Strip
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does SSL Native Channel Strip 2 support?

The plugin is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS.

What are the system requirements?

On macOS it needs macOS 11 Big Sur through macOS 13 Ventura, 64-bit only, with an Intel dual-core Mac at 2.4GHz or higher and at least 4 GB of RAM, 8 GB recommended. On Windows it needs Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit only), an Intel Core 2 or comparable CPU at 2.4GHz or higher, and at least 4 GB of RAM, 8 GB recommended.