Solid State Logic SL4048E

The Solid State Logic SL4048E is a 48-channel mixing console, more more simply known as the SSL 4000E. Peter Gabriel has owned this model of SSL during the 1980s and 90s.

He bought and installed the console in early 1985 at his Ashcombe House home studio, using money made from his fourth album and tour to fund the upgrade. The SSL played a significant part during recording and mixing of the So record. The bass part on "Sledgehammer" in particular was enhanced via one of the SSL compressors.

Once Real World Studios opened, the SSL 4048E was moved to the Work Room, which was Peter's private recording space located in the loft. Around 80% of the Us album was recorded there with this particular SSL desk between 1989 and 1992. But it was gone by the time Kevin Killen was invited to mix So in 5.1 surround, which was done on a Sony Oxford OXF-R3.

Specifics
According to an article on Real World Studios published in the January 1990 issue of Studio Sound magazine, the SSL 4048E had Total Recall automation, and was also fitted with G-series EQ & computer, integral synchroniser and the Real World Studios' Automated Send Matrix. Some of the modifications are similar to ones done to the SSL 4080G in Control Room one.

Note: The 'Sledgehammer' article published by Sound On Sound reported the console to be a 56-channel SSL, but the report from the July 1986 issue of Musician magazine explicitly states the console inputs were counted up to 48, so it is safe to assume the console is more likely the 48-channel.