In Summary

Known for their legendary studio hardware, some of SSL’s best known creations might live outside the box, but the announcement of MODULE8 promises to bolster the company’s expanding line of virtual devices with a brand new multi effects audio plugin. We put it to the Experts to get their verdict.

Going Deeper

Modulation Effects - A Brief History

Most mix engineers can get by with a handful of devices from all of the main ‘food groups’ of effects and processors. Along with toolbox items such as dynamic or EQ flavoured devices, there are also time-based effects that trade in aesthetic appeal. As part of these, engineers also have another palette of sounds used purely for artistic spice: modulation effects.

From the exotic sounds of phasing, flanging, chorus, and vibrato that trade in modulated delay, also present are those that use level changes to deliver pulsating panners and turbulent tremelos. Historically these were done using discrete analogue circuits, or even using tape recorders, however The 1970’s saw embryonic digital effects emerge for the studio. It wasn’t until the crossover from the 1980’s into the 1990’s that digital effects really made their way into the spotlight on stage.

Whether in hardware or software, studio tools can be used to inject mixes with artistic lifts that are much larger than life or inspiring compared to sounds in their natural form.

SSL MODULE8 - Overview

Known for their legendary studio hardware, some of SSL’s best known creations are the enormous consoles that have been emerging from their drawing board since the 1970’s. In keeping with industry trends, not only does the company offer a lot of its hardware technology in smaller bite-sized chunks such as in BIG SiX or Fusion, but also in a growing family of virtual studio tools covering processors and more recently, effects.

MODULE8 is the company’s latest multi-effects audio plugin. Consisting of six prominent modulation effects, MODULE8 also boasts Lo-Fi and Space stages for harmonic and reverb flavours as well. These can be re-ordered by dragging the relevant device and dropping it where needed to change the signal flow if needed. Global LFO and Width controls are joined by a useful Stereoise function to give width to mono sources. MODULE8’s comprehensive LFO controls with controls for waveshape and phase betray its creator’s pro audio heritage.

SSL MODULE8 - Key Features

• Modulation FX Rack Includes six re-orderable modulation FX modules: Flanger, Tremolo, Chorus, Panner, Vibrato, and Phaser, alongside creative Lo-Fi and Space effects for additional sound-crafting possibilities.

• LFO-Driven Effects Each effect module uses an LFO to create movement, offering a wide range of modulation possibilities.

• Customisable Signal Chain Users can reorder the modulation FX modules via drag-and-drop to craft their unique signal paths.

• Global Controls Centralised Controls for input gain, stereo width, overall depth (which acts as a multiplier for all depth controls), mix, and output gain for comprehensive manipulation of the effect's overall intensity and mix.

• Advanced LFO Customisation Rate, rhythm, division, and shape controls for the LFOs, including tempo sync options, offer intricate modulation shaping.

• Individual Module Bypass Each FX module can be bypassed independently, allowing users to isolate effects as needed.

SSL MODULE8 - In Use

In the video we run through MODULE8’s features and sounds. On guitar we showcase its six vertical modules as well as its Space reverb. We also show how its Lo-Fi section and global Width manipulation expand its usefulness to busses and mixes as well as on tracks. We then go back to guitar to show how pressing one button can inject width to mono sources in one move.

Expert Panel - Hit or Miss?

In every Expert review we ask three of our team of contributors to give their first impressions of the product. We ask them to give the product a hit or miss, based on factors such as originality, innovation, usefulness, quality and value for money. For each hit the products gets an Expert Award. One hit and it gets our bronze award, two hits gets silver and for a hit from all three of the panel it gets a coveted gold award. Of course if there’s three misses, there’s no award.

Ashea On SSL MODULE8

I’m not one to jump at the idea of adding an all-in-one effects chain plugin to my workflow, mostly because these aren’t tools I feel I really need, however, being an SSL product, I was curious to give this a try.

The truth is, I could have done without it, but now that I've tried it, I realise how powerful these tools can be.

For me, the appeal of Module8 is just how much use you can get out of it, the unique potential it offers in combining the effects, and the immediacy of the inspiration. For beat making and production this gives you a significant head start.

For example, I tend to begin a track by fleshing out rough musical ideas, usually programming basic drums to get a groove going. By simply by throwing Module8 onto my drum track and selecting the ‘Delay-Haus, Intergalactic + Retro’ preset, my rudimentary beat took on a whole new dimension (pun intended) and inspired me to take the track in an unexpected direction.

The main modules can be reordered much like your typical effects chain (only faster) and all effects solo’d, which is helpful. There’s also a handy AB function to audition different settings. It’s worth mentioning that the presets are easily tweak-able thanks to the clear labelling and ease of access to the parameters that the GUI offers.

Module8 is undoubtedly a tool that I will reach for from now on, to get a vibe going during a writing session. Recording through it, whether it be vocals, keys or drums, can inspire a different performance in the moment. It’s these things that can really spark more creativity within us, and it certainly assists in the flow of new ideas. For that, I’d give it a HIT!

Dom Morley On SSL MODULE8

The first word that comes to mind with this plug-in is 'powerful'. The modular format and ability to move modules (and so signal flow) around is simple and makes it easy to get new variations on favourite effects, as well as experiment much deeper. I guess it could now be considered quite old-school in that it shows the six effects that you can play with - and you see the controls and really get to learn what they do. With a lot of plug-in manufacturers taking a more 'mystery box' approach nowadays, where you turn one knob and six different things are happening (but you don't know what), it's good to see the user being trusted to dial in exactly what they want. To me this makes it a more powerful and versatile tool. Don't get me wrong - I like a simple effect plug-in as much as anyone, but it is nice to have something more flexible to hand when you want to get creative.

If I had one complaint it's that clicking on the 'Lo-Fi' button immediately introduces white noise. I know that noise is one possible aspect of something sounding lo-fi, but that blanket of hiss as a starting point is a bit of a bug-bear of mine!

The sound quality is great, but I think that's pretty much a given with SSL to be honest. Although effects are obviously not as much a part of their history as EQ and dynamics, high quality audio is very much what they do. HIT.

Mark M Thompson On SSL MODULE8

On the surface, MODULE8 doesn’t appear to be much of a ground-breaking tool but within minutes of using it I can see it replacing a whole swathe of other, individual plugins. The benchmark for modulation effects is, to my ears at least, anything made by Soundtoys and this single plugin absolutely stands up to them in audio quality, versatility and tweakability.

The eight units inside the plugin are well designed: simple yet with everything needed to control each effect, and the fact that the six main modulation effects are freely and easily movable within the signal path is brilliant.

The only other plugin I have used that does a similar, all-in-one modulation job is Modley from “boutique” plugin makers Klevgrand. Whilst that particular plugin has a larger selection of built in effects, it doesn’t benefit from what is probably my favourite MODULE8 feature: the global LFO. The ability to synchronize all of the time/delay effects to this one LFO is hugely beneficial, as is the option to audition each module’s sound without having to first mute any of the others.

SSL have absolutely nailed this one in a slick (and aesthetically recognisable) package that invites you to dive deep into creative modulation effects without the need for even glancing at a manual. Bravo. HIT.

SSL MODULE8 gets an Experts Gold Award.