Solid State Logic (SSL) just made some serious waves in the pro audio world with the release of their latest SSL 360° V1.8 update, bringing even more flexibility and control to their popular SSL 360° platform. Known for their legendary consoles and groundbreaking audio tools, SSL’s newest update adds the highly-anticipated SSL 360° Link Bus Compressor Plug-in, a refined Link V1.1 update, and several enhancements to the UC1 controller. And the best part? The update is free to download via the SSL website.
The New Link Bus Compressor Plug-In and Expanded UC1 Control
The star of the SSL 360° V1.8 update is the new SSL 360° Link Bus Compressor Plug-in, which gives users unprecedented control over 3rd party plug-ins through the Bus Compressor section of the UC1 controller. This means you can now map and control popular plug-ins from big names like Slate Digital, Brainworx, Waves, and Universal Audio—all directly from the SSL UC1. For pro audio engineers, this means no more switching between screens or controllers to dial in the perfect sound; now, it’s all in one place.
SSL also enhanced the UC1’s functionality with improved gain reduction metering from compatible 3rd party plug-ins, which can now be viewed on both the UC1 Bus Compressor meter and the Channel Strip gate/comp meters. The update has lifted restrictions on how many Bus Compressor instances can be used with the UC1, allowing for control of up to 192 instances of the Bus Compressor or other 3rd party plug-ins. This gives producers and engineers the freedom to run complex, multi-layered projects without worrying about workflow limitations.
To streamline the user experience even further, SSL has made visibility improvements to the UC1 display. Now, the screen shows the name of the hosted plug-in at the top when scrolling through tracks with the ‘Channel’ encoder, making it easier to keep track of which plug-ins are in use across the project. Additional parameter labels for 3rd party plug-ins are also visible in the ‘Extended’ functions menu, adding even more convenience to an already intuitive workflow.
Upgrades for the SSL 12 USB Audio Interface
Alongside the UC1 enhancements, SSL has introduced new features for their SSL 12 USB audio interface within this update. Now, users have access to a ‘polarity invert’ function on both the analog and ADAT input channels, allowing for quick corrections and adjustments during recording or mixing. SSL has also added a new option for mono summing, with adjustable compensation values between -3.0 and -6.0 dB, giving users greater control over mix balance.
For those working in talkback setups, SSL has improved the SSL 12’s TALK button function—now automatically dimming the monitoring level when engaged, ensuring a cleaner communication line and more effective session flow.
The SSL 360° Vision: A Seamless Hybrid Workflow
This update isn’t just about adding new plug-ins and features; it’s part of SSL’s broader vision to create a seamless ‘hybrid’ hardware/software environment that maximizes creative control. The UC1 controller, paired with the SSL 360° platform, brings SSL’s decades of console design expertise to the DAW, offering tactile, knob-per-function control over iconic SSL plug-ins like the 4K E, 4K B, Channel Strip 2, and Bus Compressor 2. With the latest updates, users now have access to an even broader selection of 3rd party plug-ins within this environment, creating an almost endless range of sonic possibilities.
The SSL 360° V1.8 update, including the Link Bus Compressor and Link V1.1 updates, is available in AAX Native, AU, VST3, and VST formats. To download, head over to the SSL Downloads Manager on the Solid State Logic website. Note: to take full advantage of the expanded 3rd party plug-in support, hosted plug-ins must be in VST3 format.
About Solid State Logic
Solid State Logic, a leader in both analogue and digital audio solutions, has a long legacy of crafting top-tier tools for music, broadcast, live sound, and post-production. Known worldwide for their iconic consoles and award-winning audio technology, SSL continues to drive innovation for today’s audio professionals. For more information on SSL and their latest releases, visit www.solidstatelogic.com.
The post Solid State Logic Unveils SSL 360° V1.8 Update with New Link Bus Compressor Plug-In and Enhanced UC1 Control appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.