Sound Artist | Disability Advocate| Producer
Sound Artist | Disability Advocate| Producer
By Marshall Fairbrother
Monday, 3rd February 2025, will remain a day to remember. I had the absolute honour of visiting the SSL headquarters in Oxfordshire—a place that epitomizes world-class audio engineering. From the moment I stepped into their demo rooms and studio showrooms, I was immersed in an environment steeped in decades of innovation and passion.
SSL has been at the forefront of high-end studio equipment since the 1970s, and as someone who has long dreamed of working on one of their iconic consoles, the experience was nothing short of surreal. I’ve been using the SSL native plugins since 2023, and to finally see where the magic is created was a dream come true.
The visit was one I personally set up, and I was thrilled to share the experience with industry stalwarts like Andy Dawson and Mike Banks, SSL’s Sales Manager. We delved into discussions not only about the impressive legacy of SSL but also about a subject close to my heart—accessibility. The SSL team has been diligently working on making their native plugins more accessible, and I was excited to see how far they’ve come.
As a blind engineer, navigating complex audio tools can be challenging. The new, publicly accessible versions of SSL’s plugins, such as the powerhouse SSL 4KE channel strip, have truly been a game changer. The ability to explore every detail—from the intricacies of the EQ and dynamics sections to the precise positioning on the meters using my voiceover screen reader—felt like stepping into heaven. It was immensely gratifying to provide real-world feedback as both a professional mixer and a long-time user of these plugins.
The day also offered the unique opportunity to mix on two world-class consoles: an SSL Origin and a Harrison console. Each has its own distinct character, but if I had to choose one, the SSL Origin—with its UF8 DAW controller centrally placed—would win my heart. Its versatility and capability to handle a multitude of tasks at a moment’s notice truly make it stand out.
Sharing that space with the incredible SSL team was both inspiring and humbling. For a company with such storied status in the audio industry to be actively considering and integrating accessibility is a testament to the care and meticulous effort behind the scenes. I sincerely hope this is just the beginning of many more collaborative ventures.
Thank you, SSL, for an unforgettable experience and for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in audio engineering. Here’s to future innovations and continued progress in making the world of sound accessible to everyone.
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Marshall Fairbrother
