SSL 4K B Channel Strip plug-in and history of the SL 4000 B console with Chris Jenkins

We met with SSL design guru and ex-Townhouse Studio engineer Chris Jenkins to find out more about what it was like to install and use one of the first ever SL 4000 B consoles; a truly revolutionary and iconic mixing desk. The SL 4000 B was released in 1976 and famously used in the ‘Stone Room’ at London’s Townhouse Studios. The console was responsible for countless iconic records, including Phil Collins’ ‘In the Air Tonight’, The Buggles’ ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ and Peter Gabriel’s ‘Intruder’. The 4K B plug-in is an authentic emulation of the SL 4000 B channel strip – full of tone, punch and rich non-linear analogue character. The 4K B plug-in is available exclusively in the SSL Complete subscription, or with UC1 hardware. Alternatively, access A 14-day trial of the 4K B is available by downloading the plug-in via the SSL eStore and clicking the ‘Try’ button when prompted. Take it back to where it all began with the SSL 4K B channel strip plug-in. Find out more on 4K B Channel Strip plug-in: https://bit.ly/SSL4KBplug-in 00:00 Intro 01:23 Installing the 4000 B console at The Townhouse 03:16 Sessions at the Townhouse 05:34 That famous listen mic compressor drum sound 07:45 The 4K B channel compressor design 08:48 4K B De-Esser Mode 09:12 Modelling the 4000 B 10:17 4K B & the modern workflow 10:36 4K B + UC1 Chris Jenkins (or 'CJ', as he is more affectionately known) was responsible for the installation of the SL 4000 B at the legendary Townhouse Studios in London in the late 70s, later joining SSL as a service/commissioning engineer in 1981. After moving to a product development role, he became the man behind a myriad of modern analogue SSL analogue console designs such as the AWS, Matrix and Duality. With a keen insight into the audio industry and a deep understanding of musicians, products and engineers work in the studio, Chris Jenkins became the winner of the Music Producers Guild ‘Unsung Hero Award’ in 2010 - having quietly yet dramatically shaped the music industry at large by building products that allowed artists and their producers to turn their musical dreams into reality.