Solid State Logic Shines at the 40th Annual TEC Awards with Triple Honors
Anaheim, CA, January 24, 2025 — Solid State Logic (SSL) celebrated a triumphant evening at the 40th Annual TEC Awards, held on January 23rd at the anaheim Convention Centre. The company took home two TEC Awards for Outstanding Technical Achievement and a prestigious TECnology Hall of Fame Award, cementing its legacy as a leader in the pro audio industry.
The PURE DRIVE OCTO won in the Microphone Preamplifier category, while the B-Series dynamics Module claimed victory in the Signal Processing (500 Series Modules) category. Additionally, the iconic SL9000J console, released in 1995, was inducted into the TECnology Hall of Fame, a testament to its enduring impact on the audio world.
Rick Naqvi, North American Senior Vice President of SSL, expressed his pride in the company’s achievements: “We are proud to have been recognized once again by NAMM with Outstanding Technical Achievement awards, and the TECnology Hall of Fame. These awards reflect SSL’s standard of excellence among the entire institution, and the innovative applications of our customer base around the world.”
the PURE DRIVE OCTO is a standout innovation, harnessing SSL’s renowned SuperAnalogue PureDrive™ microphone preamp technology, originally featured in the ORIGIN console. With two DRIVE modes and thorough connectivity, it continues to set new standards in audio engineering.
Now in its 40th year,the TEC Awards are widely regarded as the highest honor in the pro audio and sound recording industry. They celebrate the individuals, companies, and technical innovations that shape the sound of recordings, live performances, films, television, video games, and multimedia.
| Award | Category | product |
|——————————-|—————————————|—————————|
| Outstanding Technical Achievement | Microphone preamplifier | PURE DRIVE OCTO |
| Outstanding Technical Achievement | Signal Processing (500 Series modules)| B-Series Dynamics Module |
| tecnology Hall of Fame | Inductee | SL9000J Console |
The evening was a celebration of innovation and excellence, with SSL’s achievements underscoring its commitment to pushing the boundaries of audio technology. As the pro audio community continues to evolve, SSL remains at the forefront, delivering cutting-edge solutions that inspire creators worldwide.
For more details on the 2025 NAMM Show and the TEC Awards, visit the official NAMM Show website and the TEC Awards page.Solid State Logic (SSL) has long been a cornerstone in the world of audio engineering, and their latest innovations continue to push the boundaries of sound technology. From their groundbreaking consoles to their compact, versatile preamps, SSL remains at the forefront of audio innovation. Let’s dive into some of their most iconic creations and how they’ve shaped the music industry.
The Evolution of SSL’s Iconic Consoles
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SSL’s journey began in 1976 with the release of the SL 4000 B console, their first-ever console. This legendary piece of equipment was used in some of the most iconic studios of the time,including Virgin’s Townhouse Studio in London,Le Studio in montreal,and record plant in LA. It played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of timeless tracks like phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight and Peter Gabriel’s Intruder. The 4000 B’s dynamics processor, known for its heavily colored, grabby, and saturated compression, has now been reimagined in the 4000 B Dynamics (B-DYN) 500 series module, bringing that vintage character to modern setups.
Fast forward to 1995, and SSL introduced the SL9000J console, a game-changer in the audio world. This console debuted SSL’s revolutionary SuperAnalogue™ technology, which delivered an extended frequency response, ultra-low phase shift, and minimal noise. These features made the 9000 series a staple in studios worldwide, influencing countless pop, hip-hop, and R&B hits in the late 90s and early 2000s.The SL9000J’s legacy is so profound that it, along with the SSL 4000 and AWS 900 consoles, has been inducted into the NAMM TECnology hall of Fame.
The TECnology Hall of Fame: A Legacy of Innovation
The NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame, founded by renowned audio journalist George Petersen, celebrates innovations that have significantly advanced audio and music technology. SSL’s contributions to this legacy are undeniable. As Petersen notes, “Each of these innovations made a major contribution to how sound is created and reproduced – even years after their debut. And decades later, each of these still remains in use.”
compact Power: SSL’s Modern Innovations
SSL’s commitment to innovation isn’t limited to large-format consoles. Their latest preamp, housed in a compact 8-channel 2U rackmount format, combines state-of-the-art digital conversion with the clarity and punch of their classic designs. What sets this preamp apart is its ability to switch between a clean, precise tone and a warm, harmonically rich sound that varies with gain. This adaptability makes it a versatile tool for modern producers and engineers.
SSL’s Impact in a Nutshell
To summarize SSL’s contributions, here’s a table highlighting their key innovations and their impact:
| Product | Year Released | Key Features | Impact |
|————————-|——————-|———————————————————————————-|—————————————————————————-|
| SL 4000 B Console | 1976 | First SSL console; used in iconic studios; featured grabby, saturated compression | Shaped the sound of legendary tracks like In the Air Tonight |
| SL9000J Console | 1995 | Introduced SuperAnalogue™ technology; extended frequency response, low noise | Influenced major pop, hip-hop, and R&B hits in the late 90s and early 2000s |
| 4000 B Dynamics Module | modern | Brings vintage 4000 B dynamics to 500 Series format | Allows modern producers to access classic SSL compression |
| 8-Channel Preamp | Modern | Compact design with switchable tonal character | Offers flexibility for modern audio production |
Why SSL Continues to Lead
SSL’s ability to blend vintage character with modern technology ensures their products remain relevant across generations. Whether it’s the B-DYN module bringing the warmth of the 4000 B to today’s studios or their latest preamp offering unparalleled flexibility, SSL continues to set the standard in audio engineering.
For more data about SSL’s award-winning products, visit their official website at www.solidstatelogic.com. their legacy of innovation is a testament to their commitment to advancing the art and science of sound.
Interview with SSL: A Legacy of Audio Innovation
Editor: SSL has been a cornerstone in the audio engineering world for decades. Can you tell us about the journey of SSL’s iconic consoles and how they’ve shaped the music industry?
SSL: Absolutely. Our journey began in 1976 with the release of the SL 4000 B console, which was our first-ever console. This legendary piece of equipment was used in some of the most iconic studios of the time, including Virgin’s Townhouse Studio in London, Le Studio in Montreal, and Record Plant in LA. It played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of timeless tracks like Phil Collins’ In the air Tonight and Peter Gabriel’s Intruder. The 4000 B’s dynamics processor, known for its heavily colored, grabby, and saturated compression, has now been reimagined in the 4000 B Dynamics (B-DYN) 500 series module, bringing that vintage character to modern setups.
Editor: That’s fascinating! How did the introduction of the SL9000J console in 1995 change the game for SSL and the audio industry?
SSL: The SL9000J console was a game-changer for us. It debuted our revolutionary SuperAnalogue™ technology, which delivered an extended frequency response, ultra-low phase shift, and minimal noise. These features made the 9000 series a staple in studios worldwide, influencing countless pop, hip-hop, and R&B hits in the late 90s and early 2000s. The SL9000J’s legacy is so profound that it, along with the SSL 4000 and AWS 900 consoles, has been inducted into the NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame.
Editor: Speaking of the NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame, can you elaborate on SSL’s contributions to this legacy?
SSL: The NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame, founded by renowned audio journalist George Petersen, celebrates innovations that have substantially advanced audio and music technology.Our contributions to this legacy are undeniable. As Petersen notes, “Each of these innovations made a major contribution to how sound is created and reproduced – even years after their debut. And decades later, each of these still remains in use.”
Editor: SSL’s innovations aren’t just limited to large-format consoles. Can you tell us about some of your more compact, modern innovations?
SSL: Certainly. Our latest preamp, housed in a compact 8-channel 2U rackmount format, combines state-of-the-art digital conversion with the clarity and punch of our classic designs. What sets this preamp apart is its ability to switch between a clean, precise tone and a warm, harmonically rich sound that varies with gain. This adaptability makes it a versatile tool for modern producers and engineers.
Editor: That’s impressive! How does SSL manage to blend vintage character with modern technology so seamlessly?
SSL: It’s all about understanding the needs of today’s audio professionals while respecting the legacy of our past innovations. Whether it’s the B-DYN module bringing the warmth of the 4000 B to today’s studios or our latest preamp offering unparalleled versatility, we strive to set the standard in audio engineering. Our ability to blend vintage character with modern technology ensures our products remain relevant across generations.
Editor: Thank you for sharing these insights. For those who want to learn more about SSL’s award-winning products,where can they go?
SSL: For more information about our products,visit our official website at www.solidstatelogic.com. Our legacy of innovation is a testament to our commitment to advancing the art and science of sound.
Conclusion
SSL’s journey from the iconic SL 4000 B console to the revolutionary SL9000J console and beyond showcases their unwavering commitment to innovation in audio technology. By blending vintage character with modern advancements, SSL continues to led the way in shaping the sound of music across generations. for more details on their groundbreaking products, visit www.solidstatelogic.com.
