Solid State Logic 500-Series E EQ Module Solid State Logic

500 Format Modules Classic SSL analogue processing for the API 500 format rack

Classic SSL analogue processing for the API 500 format rack

The SSL big console sound has been available in 12 different modules for our own modular X-Rack system for many years. The system enjoys a large and enthusiastic customer base with more than 15,000 modules sold. X-Rack users reap the benefits of the very high-quality power supply and on board TotalRecallTM offered by the X-Rack system. The release of modules for the widely-used 500 format modular rack platform makes a small slice of the SSL sound available to a wider group of users.

SSL’s range of modules for the 500 series rack format currently consists of five different modules; the classic Stereo Bus Compressor which has featured on every model of SSL large format analogue console, E-Series EQ and E-Series Dynamics modules which deliver the legendary sound of the channel strip processing from SSL’s 1980’s E-Series console, and the incredibly versatile VHD Pre input module which can deliver ultra-clean recordings or a range of more saturated tonal characteristics and the LMC+ module, a new twist on the legendary SSL Listen Mic Compressor.

E-Series EQ Module for API 500 format racks

The E-Series EQ Module for 500 Series racks reproduces the legendary sonic signature of an early 80’s classic, the Solid State Logic SL 4000 E console channel strip, which has featured on countless classic recordings from the 1980’s to the present. The E-Series EQ Module features two different EQ’s found on editions of the console produced between 1981 and 1989. Each EQ has unique response curves and tonal character. Historically the type of EQ fitted in an individual console was distinguished by the colors used on the LF knob caps so the two flavors have become known as the ‘Brown’ and ‘Black’ EQ’s. On the E Series EQ Module you can switch between these two different flavors of EQ that have been loved by generations of professional producers.

Key Features:

✓ Immortal SSL 4000 E Series circuitry
✓ “Black-242” and “Brown-02” twin EQ design
✓ Versatile 4 band channel EQ
✓ Bell curve option on HF and LF
✓ Fully parametric LMF and HMF with Q
✓ Based on classic 611E console channel strip

The ‘Brown’ EQ, featured on the discontinued SSL E-Signature Channel Strip, is now uniquely available on the E-Series EQ Module.

A little SSL EQ history

Prior to 1987 SSL used the colour of the Low Frequency EQ knob caps to indicate which type of EQ was fitted. All consoles were custom built and could feature different combinations of EQ module. The following colour codes apply:

E-Series BROWN: The original SSL EQ fitted to all consoles prior to the summer of 1985. Despite the rumours these equalisers only came in one version. The EQ card was called the ’02’.

E Series ORANGE: The infamous EQP equaliser. This was a variation on the Brown EQ with controls simulating the curves of a valve type EQ. Very few were sold. This card was named the ‘132’.

E-Series BLACK: The last version of the standard E series EQ. It evolved in the early 1980’s from discussions with many top engineers and proved very popular. The EQ card was called the ‘242’.

G-Series: With the arrival of the G Series console in 1987 the colour coding was abandoned and the classic SSL end cap colour scheme used today was adopted. First introduced in 1987 the original G Series EQ introduced Q characteristics which were proportional to gain settings and had a degree of over shoot when boosting and under shoot when cutting.

The current generation of SuperAnalogue console EQ (featured on Duality, AWS 900 + SE & the X-Rack EQ module) are switchable between EQ characteristics that offer either the E-Series ‘Black’ EQ or the G Series EQ.