Andrew Chapman Creative isn’t here to worship at the altar of SSL – he’s here to drag the Revival 4000 channel strip through a no-mercy blind test. Forget brand hype and nostalgia: this is about what actually hits your ears. Chapman’s style is brutally honest, with a side of dry wit, and he’s not afraid to call out gear that doesn’t earn its keep. If you want to know whether the SSL Revival 4000 is a studio street weapon or just another overpriced badge, this is the showdown you need. Spoiler: you’ll want to hear the shootout for yourself – some things just don’t translate to text.
17. December 2025
SPARKY
Blindfolded with Andrew Chapman Creative: SSL Revival 4000 Faces the Truth
A Designs P-1 500 Series Preamp, Antelope Audio Discrete 4, Brainworx BX Console SSL 4000 Channel Strip Plugin, Chandler TG2 500 Series Preamp, Dachman Audio DA87 SE, Guild OM240E Acoustic Guitar, SSL Revival 4000 Series Channel Strip
Bias in the Bunker: Blind Testing the SSL Revival 4000
Andrew Chapman Creative isn’t here to stroke SSL’s ego. He opens by admitting his own biases – the man’s literally pictured in front of a massive SSL desk, but he’s not letting nostalgia cloud his ears. Instead, he sets up a proper blind test, stripping away all the visual cues and brand worship that usually muddy the waters.
The method is simple and ruthless: two audio paths, one hardware, one plugin, no labels, no clues. Chapman refuses to spill his opinions until the end, so you’re left to judge purely by sound. It’s a refreshing slap in the face for anyone who’s ever been seduced by shiny logos and marketing fluff. If you want to know what the SSL Revival 4000 actually does, this is the only way to find out.
"I am not gonna say a single word about this particular unit until the end of the video."
© Screenshot/Quote: Andrewchapmancreative (YouTube)
Tone, Grit, and Knob-Twiddling: The SSL Under the Microscope
"They're fairly neutral they have fast transients there's nothing wrong with them."
© Screenshot/Quote: Andrewchapmancreative (YouTube)
Once the blindfolds are off, Chapman dives into what the Revival 4000 brings to the table. He’s blunt: the preamps are neutral, not dripping in character or vibe, but they do the job with fast transients and zero drama. Think of them as the benign mole of the audio world – always there, never causing trouble.
But the real fun starts with the dynamics and EQ. The SSL compressor isn’t for the faint-hearted or the clueless – it jumps from subtle to savage with the tiniest tweak, and the LED meters aren’t exactly helpful. Still, when you hit the sweet spot, it’s pure SSL magic. The EQ is a joy: rich, full low end without the mud, surgical cuts when needed, and a high shelf that sparkles without slicing your ears off. Chapman’s verdict? It’s got the attitude and punch you want, minus the trade-offs that plague budget gear.
Hardware vs Plugin: The Blind Shootout
The heart of the video is the blind comparison between the Revival 4000 hardware and an SSL-style plugin. Chapman keeps it clinical: level-matched, no peeking, just pure listening. You get to hear electric guitar, vocals, snare, drums, and bass – all run through both paths, and you’re challenged to spot the difference.
When the curtain lifts, most will be surprised. Sometimes the plugin gets the nod, sometimes the hardware – and if you guess wrong, you might just save yourself a few hundred quid. The point? The differences are subtle, and in a mix, the hardware’s edge is more about feel than night-and-day sonics. If you want to hear the real deal, you’ll have to watch (and listen) for yourself – text can’t capture those micro-shifts in punch and presence.
Punch for Pounds: The SSL Revival 4000’s Sonic Muscle
Chapman doesn’t sugar-coat the price – two grand for a single channel strip is a gut punch. But he admits, much to his own annoyance, that the Revival 4000 delivers. It nails the classic SSL punch, energy, and a touch of dirt that made the 4000 series legendary. Even running audio straight through without touching a knob adds a bit of that analog magic.
He’s clear: this isn’t just nostalgia – the Revival 4000 actually brings something to the table. If you want that classic console aggression in a modern rack, this box has it. But at this price, you’d better be sure you need it, because your wallet will feel every decibel of that SSL attitude.
"Fuck is the best word I can think of and the reason why I start my personal review with an F bomb is because it costs 2000 dollars."
© Screenshot/Quote: Andrewchapmancreative (YouTube)
Modern Problems: Price, Recall, and the Hybrid Studio Headache
"At that price point, the other thing that I would love to have SSL if you're listening which who knows but digital recall would be great."
© Screenshot/Quote: Andrewchapmancreative (YouTube)
Here’s where Chapman gets real about the downsides. The Revival 4000 is expensive – not as insane as buying a vintage console, but still out of reach for most mortals. And in a world where everyone’s working hybrid, the lack of digital recall is a major pain. If you want to use this in a modern setup, get ready to scribble recall sheets or snap endless photos of your settings.
Chapman’s verdict is classic: the sound is fantastic, but so is the price. If you can’t justify the outlay, the used market might save you in a few months. For everyone else, the Revival 4000 is a killer channel strip with a few 21st-century headaches. Want to know if it’s worth the hassle? You’ll have to watch the video – some things you just need to hear in action.
This article is also available in German. Read it here: https://synthmagazin.at/blindtest-mit-andrew-chapman-creative-ssl-revival-4000-auf-dem-pruefstand/