“Well designed, feature rich and reasonably priced interface expander or standalone line level USB interface”: SSL Alpha 8 review

What is it?

You’ll have noticed that as audio interfaces grow in I/O count, some of those channels are achieved using ADAT or S/PDIF, and if you want analogue access to these, you’ll need to find a suitably equipped additional converter unit. New from SSL, the Alpha 8 tackles this task but also rather usefully presents as a regular USB interface, albeit one with no mic preamps.

Housed in a full-size 1U rack unit, the styling is very similar to SSL's top of the range SSL 18 audio interface, and the two units would clearly make ideal partners.

Key specs include 32-bit 192kHz converters, eight balanced analogue inputs and outputs, eight channels of ADAT I/O, two channels of S/PDIF I/O, Wordclock I/O, 18 I/O USB interfacing and in/out LED metering.

Digital connectivity is via four ADAT optical connectors (2-in/2-out) and a pair of S/PDIF coaxial connectors. S/PDIF coaxial supports sample rates up to 192kHz, and ADAT optical rates up to 96kHz with twin cable SMUX for eight channels. ADAT input and output port 2 can also be configured for 2-channel S/PDIF.

Alpha 8’s analogue outputs are DC-coupled and are therefore able to send out +/-5V control voltages, which is handy if you’re controlling CV-enabled modular or rack synths from your DAW.

Finally, Alpha 8 can be used as a standalone converter or as a USB audio interface, and for the latter is USB 2.0 class compliant. This requires no additional software on Mac OS. Windows users need to download and install SSL’s USB ASIO/WDM driver.

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Performance

In typical SSL fashion, utility and flexibility are important design criteria for Alpha 8. What’s more, with no additional software app, all settings are selected either on the front panel or via the audio driver if you’re connected via USB. Onboard options are driven by the Select buttons (1 to 8) combined with further option buttons (In, Out, Analogue and Digital).

These access specific channels or odd/even pairs of channels, allowing you to set channel specific operating levels for the analogue connections (+24, +20, +18, +9dBu) and also set a mono or stereo source for the onboard headphone output. This is handy for cue monitoring, but also simply for checking that signals are routed as required. Further front panel options include clock source and sample rate if you are using the unit in standalone mode.

The final cog button activates settings mode. This is primarily used to specify the Alpha 8’s signal flow, although other options include headphone impedance, headphone sensitivity, and front panel brightness. This is the one aspect of Alpha 8 where the manual is required, as each of the Select buttons is assigned to a specific task, with the LED meters used to indicate the settings.

By way of example, if you want the ADAT inputs to feed the analogue outputs, press Select button 2 to cycle through the options until its corresponding LED is green. Similarly, if you want the S/PDIF output to be sourced from USB output, use Select button 4 to select its red LED. S/PDIF connectivity is also well implemented, allowing an 8-channel group to have certain combinations of S/PDIF and analogue or ADAT signals.

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With both standalone and USB interface functionality, there are many ways you can integrate Alpha 8 into your workflow. Obviously, the extra connectivity comes in handy if you’re using analogue hardware inserts in your DAW sessions, and the multiple analogue outputs suit those with multichannel monitoring. Meanwhile, if you’re using outboard mic preamps or an analogue desk and simply don’t need an interface with mic preamps, the Alpha 8 provides a cheaper solution than the SSL 18 for example.

Verdict

It may not be the most exciting product we’ve had on the test bench, but the Alpha 8 is well designed, feature rich and reasonably priced, and is the perfect companion to any ADAT-equipped interface.

Hands-on demos

Solid State Logic

SSL ALPHA 8 - The Ultimate Studio Expander - YouTube

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Alternatives

Black Lion Audio Revolution EXP: £899 at blacklionaudio.com

Black Lion’s premium ADAT converter delivers eight channels at 96kHz and four channels at 192kHz.

Read more about Black Lion Audio Revolution EXP

Ferrofish Pulse 8 AE: £519 at ferrofish.com

Offering very similar features to Alpha 8, this compact unit from Ferrofish is definitely worth checking out.

Read more about Ferrofish Pulse 8 AE

Specifications