SSL 500-Series 611 EQ
1-channel EQ
- 500 series
- SSL 4000 E Series circuit
- "Black-242" and "Brown-02" twin EQ design
- Versatile four-band channel EQ
- Bell curve option for HF and LF
- Fully parametric LMF and HMF with Q
- Based on the classic 611E Console Channel Strip
- Construction: API Series 500 format
- Requires a 500 slot
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Available since January 2013
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Item number 304670
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Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
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Pre-Amp No
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48 V Phantom power No
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compressor No
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limiter No
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equalizer Yes
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De-Esser No
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other processors No
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Rack/Frame No
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supplies No
Classic EQ in 500-series format
For decades, the classic SSL sound has shaped countless hit productions across all genres, and now its distinctive character is accessible in modern studios in an API-500 module.The EQ sections of the legendary SSL 4000E channel strip play a crucial role in its typically clear and assertive, sometimes even slightly edgy, character. Carefully updated with consistent use of SMD technology and housed in a 500-series module, the E-Series EQ delivers the legendary and still highly sought-after sound of the great classic, which harmonises superbly with virtually any source material.
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Simple and efficient
The SSL 611 EQ is a classic four-band recording EQ that combines vintage design with modern usability. Its high- and low-pass filters feature switchable modes, whilst the mid-bands are fully parametric – features that have become standard today but were remarkable when the original was launched in the late 1970s. In addition to faithfully replicating the original circuitry, the module features a switch that allows users to toggle between the 'Brown Knob' and the later 'Black Knob' models. They are quite distinctive, sonically speaking, and are equally popular with SSL fans – as such, the integration of both models into a single module is a welcome addition to any SSL enthusiast's collection. Visually, the module retains the classic SSL look, i.e. it is densely packed with coloured plastic controls, yet remains effortless to operate.
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One for (almost) everything
The SSL 611 EQ is a true classic among recording equipment, and as part of the SSL 4000 console, which was ubiquitous in its day, it has helped shape the sound of countless legendary bands and classic albums. Despite its own defined sonic characteristics, this EQ has always been a versatile tool, with a relatively neutral and transparent character that blends well with a wide variety of sources. The ability to switch between the warmer, smoother Brown version and the cleaner, more forward‑sounding Black version makes the 500 Series module even more flexible than the original. So, for those who appreciate a sound that is as classic as it is timeless and who do not have access to multiple specialist units, the SSL 611 EQ module is a good choice as a high-quality all-rounder.
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About SSL
Solid State Logic (SSL), is a renowned British manufacturer of high-end mixing consoles and hardware. It was founded in 1969 by Colin Sanders and is based in Begbroke, Oxfordshire. Initially the company developed transistors to control church organs, hence the name Solid State Logic. At the end of the 1970s they made huge advances in the domain of large mixing consoles with the 4000 series which pioneered the oncoming era of the ‘super’ consoles. Later, the 6000 and 9000 series also proved to be a great success and are still being used in countless recording studios all over the world. In 2005, Peter Gabriel and David Engelke took a majority stake in the company and then sold it to the Audiotonix Group in 2017.
The standard for tracking and mixing
The SSL 611 EQ has long been a classic recording EQ, delivering excellent results both during tracking and in the mix. Despite its forty-year history, though, the device has little of what is typically considered to be vintage colouration; instead, it offers a clean, precise, and effective sound, particularly in Black Knob mode. Combining this EQ with other SSL components yields a replica of the legendary SSL 4000E channel strip: For those who find this combination not versatile enough sonically, the SSL EQ can, of course, be combined with any other high-quality preamp and/or dynamics tool to create a customised channel strip or mix bus. The 500-series format offers a wide range of options to suit various setups and budgets.
In the spotlight
The different SSL 4000 EQ models
SSL has revised its 4000E console several times over the years, and the different EQ versions used in the console are particularly distinct sonically. Externally, the two versions can be distinguished by the colour of the knob caps, which led to them being referred to as the Brown Knob and later Black Knob versions. Developed in collaboration with George Martin, the Black version offers a wider gain range of ±18dB, compared to ±15dB on the Brown version, as well as a significantly steeper frequency response curve. A recurring topic of discussion among fans and experts is the question of which version sounds 'better', or at least 'more musical' – the Black version offers a more powerful and precise punch than the rather good-natured Brown EQ, but is also said to tend towards a slightly harsh sound. None of these difference or supposed downsides stopped the consoles becoming a massive success. The SSL 611 EQ module contains both variants, allowing the sound to be shaped with either a Brown or Black character, depending on the setting and the producer's personal preference.
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