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.
The dedication to accessibility is more than just a technical challenge—it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can create and produce music. It was deeply rewarding to discuss this with the SSL team, who truly understand the importance of inclusive design.
From testing cutting-edge equipment to discussing the future of audio production, the day was nothing short of magical. SSL’s commitment to innovation and accessibility resonates deeply with me, and I left inspired to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in audio engineering.
A huge thank you to everyone at SSL for their hospitality and for sharing their passion with me. This visit was more than just a tour—it was a glimpse into the heart of audio excellence and a reminder of why I fell in love with sound in the first place.