The SSL Revival 4000: A Legend Reborn in Your Rack

The SSL Revival 4000: A Legend Reborn in Your Rack Buy Now

Overview

The Solid State Logic Revival 4000 is a high-performance, all-analog 1U channel strip that aims to bottle the lightning of the iconic SL 4000 series consoles from the early 1980s. This isn't just a tribute; it's a "greatest hits" compilation of circuits from the revered 4000 B and E series consoles, which were the sound behind titans like Peter Gabriel, U2, and Metallica ("Revival 4000"). SSL has essentially resurrected the soul of their most famous desk and put it within reach of the modern studio, combining the legendary Jensen transformer-based preamp, classic dynamics, and two flavors of its world-famous EQ. For those chasing that definitive, punchy, and clear-as-a-bell '80s console sound without buying a vintage desk, the Revival 4000, which you can snag from our friends at zzounds.com, is SSL's powerful answer.

Key Features

Professional Reviews Summary

The consensus among professional reviewers is overwhelmingly positive, hailing the Revival 4000 as a faithful and robust recreation of the classic SSL sound. Sam Inglis of Sound on Sound praises its "rock solid" build quality and versatility, noting that while it can be driven for warmth, it serves as "a very good front end for any source in any style of music" (Inglis). He highlights that the EQ "just feels indefinably 'right'" and is capable of both radical changes and subtle, authoritative adjustments. Stefan Wyeth at gearnews.com agrees, calling the unit an "extensive processor suitable for any studio" and noting the impressive authenticity of the E Series dynamics section, which uses the same VCA chip from the 1980s console (Wyeth). Warren Huart of Produce Like A Pro emphasizes that this isn't just nostalgia; it’s about workflow, immediacy, and making confident decisions quickly with a proven toolset (Huart). The one minor critique from Inglis was that he might have preferred the old "Listen Mic Compressor" over the de-esser, suggesting that de-essing can often be handled by plugins, but he concedes the de-esser circuit works perfectly well (Inglis).

User Sentiment Summary

As the Revival 4000 is a relatively new product, widespread user reviews are still trickling in. However, initial sentiment is exceptionally high. The product has been met with significant enthusiasm in online forums and in videos from retailers like Zzounds, where product specialists and early adopters praise its authentic sound and build quality ("Solid State Logic SSL Revival 4000 with Fadi Hayek"). The few user comments available are glowing; one user on Sweetwater described it as "bold, refined, and powerfully clear," capturing the essence of what SSL aimed for. The general feeling is that SSL has successfully delivered a genuine 4000 series experience in a modern, reliable format.

Pros

  • Authentic recreation of the classic 4000 E and B series circuits, from the Jensen transformer preamp to the VCA dynamics. (Wyeth)
  • Extremely versatile EQ with two distinct and highly musical "Brown" and "Black" modes. (Inglis)
  • Flexible routing options, including a balanced insert point, allow for complex signal chains and integration with other outboard gear. (Huart)
  • Robust, professional build quality with an integrated power supply and clear, precise controls. (Inglis)
  • Competitively priced compared to vintage racked channels, offering modern reliability and a warranty. (Huart)

Cons

  • The de-esser, while functional, might be seen as less essential in a modern hardware unit where such tasks are often left to software plugins. (Inglis)
  • The mic preamp, while versatile and clean, might not have the same "cachet" or overt coloration as other famous vintage designs. (Inglis)

Ideal For

The SSL Revival 4000 is ideal for professional and serious project studio owners who want to capture the iconic, punchy, and clean sound of a classic SSL console for tracking and mixing. It's perfect for engineers who work on rock, pop, hip-hop, and R&B and need a versatile workhorse channel strip that excels on vocals, drums, bass, and acoustic guitars.

Competing Products

Neve 8801: Often described as "rounder" and "smoother," the Neve sound is typically contrasted with SSL's "punchy" and "in your face" character. The 8801 offers a different flavor of classic British console sound, often preferred for its warmth and musical coloration, especially during tracking ("NEVE VS SSL?").

API The Channel Strip (TCS-II): Known for its aggressive, forward midrange and "punchy" character, the API sound is another legendary American console flavor. It offers a different type of classic analog tone, with some users preferring its preamp for tracking drums and guitars over SSL, while often favoring the SSL's more flexible EQ during the mixing stage ("API vs SSL For Drum Processing").

Works Cited