SSL Alpha 8 AD/DA Converter/Expander

The SSL Alpha 8 is an 8‑in/8‑out professional‑grade AD/DA converter and 18‑in/18‑out USB audio interface that expands any studio with SSL‑class conversion, flexible routing, and rock‑solid digital integration. Use it as the ultimate interface expander via ADAT/S/PDIF or configure it as a full USB‑C interface to address all analogue and digital I/O simultaneously.

Why Alpha 8

• Next‑gen 32‑bit/192 kHz converters for accurate, transparent capture and playback.
• Class‑leading performance: 120 dB input DR / 123 dB output DR; THD+N: ‑110 dB in / ‑108 dB out.
• 8 x balanced analogue I/O plus 10 x digital I/O (8ch ADAT, 2ch S/PDIF).
• 18‑in/18‑out USB interface: record/play all 8 analogue and 10 digital I/O via USB‑C.
• Individually switchable operating levels: +9, +18, +20, or +24 dBu on every I/O.
• DC‑coupled outputs for sending CV to synths, modular rigs, and pedals.
• High‑current headphone out for confidence monitoring with Standard/High‑Z/High‑Sensitivity modes.
• Flexible routing: feed physical outs from any mix of analogue, digital, and USB signals.
• Word Clock I/O with termination switch plus clocking from ADAT/S/PDIF.
• SSL Production Pack included: plug‑ins, instruments, DAW licenses, and subscriptions.
• Mac & Windows compatible (class‑compliant on macOS; ASIO/WDM driver on Windows).

Expand Your Workflow

Instantly add 8 or 16 channels of I/O to your existing setup over ADAT—perfect with SSL 18—or make Alpha 8 your primary USB‑C interface. Create outboard insert paths for 500‑series, compressors, EQs and FX, route S/PDIF to external meters or amp sims, or drive CV from the DC‑coupled outputs for electronic production. The compromise is over—capture your sound with the quality it deserves.

Key Features

• Premium 32‑bit / 192 kHz AD/DA with unmeasurable crosstalk and ultra‑low noise floor.
• 8 balanced line inputs & 8 balanced line outputs.
• 8ch analogue↔ADAT and 2ch analogue↔S/PDIF conversion.
• Per‑channel operating level: +24 / +20 / +18 / +9 dBu.
• 18‑in / 18‑out USB audio interface mode via USB‑C.
• Front‑panel high‑current headphone output; audition any input/output or stereo pair.
• Dedicated front‑panel input and output meters.
• Word Clock in/out; clock internally or from ADAT, S/PDIF, or Word Clock.
• DC‑coupled analogue outputs for CV.
• Includes SSL Production Pack (see contents below).

Tech Specs

• Connectivity: USB 2.0 Type‑C (cables: C‑to‑C & C‑to‑A included)
• Line Inputs (8): Max +24 dBu; Dynamic Range (A‑wt) 120 dB; THD+N ‑110 dB; Crosstalk ‑140 dB*
• Line Outputs (8): Max +24 dBu; Dynamic Range (A‑wt) 123 dB; THD+N ‑108 dB; Crosstalk ‑140 dB*
• Headphone Out: 1 × ¼”; Dynamic Range 120 dB; Max +18 dBu (High‑Z) / +24 dBu (Balanced Line Out mode); Output Z < 1 Ω
• Digital I/O: 2 × Optical (ADAT) I/O; 1 × S/PDIF I/O (coaxial or optical)
• Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Clocking: Word Clock In/Out with termination; clock from internal/ADAT/S/PDIF/Word Clock
• OS Support: macOS 13+ (class‑compliant, plug‑and‑play); Windows 10/11 (ASIO/WDM driver)
• *Measured to AES17 standards.

SSL Production Pack (Included)

• 6‑month SSL Complete subscription (free)
• 3‑month Auto‑Tune Unlimited subscription (free)
• 3‑month Arcade by Output subscription (free)
• Perpetual licenses: SSL Vocalstrip 2, SSL Drumstrip
• IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 SE
• Celemony Melodyne Essential
• Native Instruments Hybrid Keys & Komplete Start
• Ableton Live 11 Lite
• AAS Session Bundle plug‑ins
• Loopcloud 1.5 GB samples

In short: Alpha 8 is the definitive SSL expander—adding pristine conversion, deep routing, pro‑level clocking, DC‑coupled outputs, and an 18×18 USB interface mode to elevate any hybrid studio.