Whether you’re into gaming, streaming, podcasting, or even if you you’re just looking to participate on online voice (and video) conferences on a regular basis, one of the most important devices that you’ll need to perform any of those activities would obviously be a decent microphone, as that’s what will make it possible for you to record your voice at a high-quality from your end. For any of those scenarios, the best choice of microphone would be a USB Microphone, as those are designed with convenience and budget in mind, featuring a single USB Cable Connection that makes it extremely simple to connect said microphones to any computer setup and also to any recording software. In fact, in comparison to professional studio microphones (such as high-end XLR Microphones), USB Microphones offer a much simpler plug-and-play solution, as they require no external gear or expertise to be used. So, if you’re looking for a new microphone for your computer setup, then consider going with the Solid State Logic SSL CONNEX.
The Solid State Logic SSL CONNEX is a portable advanced USB microphone equipped with a high-quality quad condenser microphone array that’s powered by studio-quality DPS, featuring a great audio-recording quality with a 96kHz Sample Rate at a 16-bit Bit Depth, Intelligent Dynamic Noise Reduction, 4 Pre-Set User Modes to choose from, for which all include an advanced Immersive Recording Setting that lets you access all 4 signals independently, and an Automatic Smart Mixer for picking up multiple voice-sources for group calls, a Microphone Loopback function for ambient monitoring, along with Touch-Sensitive Controls, a Cough Switch and a Push To Talk functions, a built-in 3.5mm headphone output, Backlit RGB Illumination, plus compatibility with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Designed specifically for conferencing, content creation and recording, this portable advanced USB microphone can be used for just about any purpose, whether you’re simply looking to ensure your voice is properly recording during your online meetings, or even if you want to ensure your voice is properly recorded while creating content such as livestreaming, recording your own music, or even running some podcasts.
Now, let’s have a more detailed look at the Solid State Logic SSL CONNEX and check out everything that this advanced USB microphone has to offer you.
DESIGN & BASIC SPECS
Starting with the microphone’s size, the Solid State Logic SSL CONNEX comes at a very compact size, which basically gives it a very small footprint that essentially allows it to take up almost no space within your desk.
On top of its compact size, this USB microphone also features a fairly minimalist and professional-looking design.
What’s more is that this USB microphone also comes together with a 6.56 ft. (2 meters) USB-C to USB-C Connection Cable included in its package that makes it easy for users to set it up even far away from their computer / laptop setup.
Moreover, the SSL CONNEX also features a 1⁄4” camera tripod thread in its base that can be set-up together with a mic stand thread adapter (included in the package) that allows for even more flexible mounting options.
Last but not least, this USB microphone also features a very durable construction, as its outer shell is completely made of a high-quality aluminum alloy, with its base (i.e. its stand) as well as its top-cover both being made out of high-quality TPU plastic.
AUDIO SPECS & AUDIO QUALITY
Moving on to the microphone’s audio specifications and its overall voice-recording audio quality. As this is a USB microphone, the SSL CONNEX comes equipped with a high-quality quad condenser microphone array, which to be a little more specific consists of a total of four (x4) acoustically designed decoupled condenser capsules, which work together to ensure a great voice-recording quality.
The microphone’s 4 condenser capsules mic-array is powered by a sophisticated studio-quality digital signal processing (DSP), for which the device’s voice-processing technology uses a combination of SSL’s renowned EQ and dynamics processing algorithms.
When it comes to the microphone’s voice-recording quality, know that the SSL CONNEX is capable of recording voice-audio with a Sample Rate resolution of either 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, or a maximum of 96 kHz at a 16-bit Bit Depth.
Furthermore, note that this USB microphone also features a Audio Sensitivity of 10dB.
Notable Sound Functions
Intelligent Dynamic Noise Reduction
The SSL CONNEX also boasts an Intelligent Dynamic Noise Reduction that works in harmony with its quad condenser mic array and its DSP technology to make sure you’re always heard, even in the busiest of environments (meaning even if there’s loud background noises behind you, which are accurately eliminated thanks to the microphone’s Intelligent Dynamic Noise Reduction).
Automatic Smart Mixer
In addition, the SSL CONNEX also integrates an Automatic Smart Mixer Setting that makes it capable of picking up multiple voice-sources for group calls.
Microphone Loopback Functionality
Moreover, the SSL CONNEX also boasts a Microphone Loopback function that’s used for ambient monitoring.
4 Pre-Set User Modes
The SSL CONNEX also features a total of 4 Pre-Set User Modes that users can choose from, including: Solo Mode, Group Mode, Vocal Mode, and Music Mode.
Solo Mode
The microphone’s Solo Mode (which works as a Unidirectional Pickup Pattern) is optimized for a single “spoken” sound source with voice-audio coming directly from the front-side of the microphone while reducing unwanted sound from its back- and lateral-sides, meaning that its Solo Mode is meant to be used for a single user participating on a voice- / video-conference, whether that’s while their working from home, from their company’s office, or even in busier environments with loud background such as a coffee shop or an airport lounge, as well as for a single user that’s live streaming.
Group Mode
The microphone’s Group Mode (which works as a Omnidirectional Pickup Pattern) is specifically designed for multiple “spoken”‘ sound sources, such as round-table conference calls or live streaming with multiple users, for which the microphone’s quad condenser mic array and its Automatic Smart Mixer Setting allow for all present users in a room to be heard clearly while simultaneously ensuring that all unwanted background noise isn’t captured.
Vocal Mode
The microphone’s Vocal Mode (which works as a Cardioid Pickup Pattern) has the microphone’s voice-processing rejecting sound from its sides and rear to ensure that your performance is accurately recorded as you sing or voice-cast your content. This recording mode is best used for when inspiration hits and you’re looking to record a vocal performance. In this recording mode, the microphone will fully utilize EQ and dynamics processing algorithms to enhance your vocal-recording or live stream.
Music Mode
Finally, there’s also the microphone’s Music Mode (which works as a Stereo Pickup Pattern), a recording mode that’s specifically designed for a group of musicians, which can accurately detect and record louder signals commonly found on acoustic instruments, thus allowing for a whole group of singers and multiple musical instruments to all be captured simultaneously. In this recording mode, the SSL CONNEX’s sophisticated studio-quality processing intelligently alters the sound-sensitivity of its quad condenser mic array to reduce the noise-level as well as any unwanted background noise, ultimately ensuring a great sounding track every time you’re recording in this multi-user music-recording mode.
Immersive Recording Setting
Lastly, all of the microphone’s 4 Pre-Set User Modes also include an advanced Immersive Recording Setting that lets users access all 4 signals independently, ultimately making spacial recording easy.
INTERFACE / BUILT-IN CONTROLS
In addition to its awesome audio-recording capabilities, the Solid State Logic SSL CONNEX also features a simple interface that makes it easy and intuitive for users to operate the microphone’s different functionalities.
Integrated at the top-side of the microphone, there’s a set of Touch-Sensitive Controls, which basically consist of a Cough Switch at the center that allows users to mute the mic with just a simple tap (can also be configured to be used as a Push To Talk Button), along with a Volume Decrease and Volume Increase Touch Buttons that can be gently tapped to quickly adjust the headphone level when having a pair of headphones connected to the microphone.
Still at the top-side of the microphone’s interface, it’s official Solid State Logic logo also integrates a Backlit RGB Illumination that displays the mic’s mute state and its current User Mode.
The microphone’s Mute State (when turned On) is represented by a Yellow LED Light. For its User Modes, its Solo Mode is represented by a White LED Light, its Group Mode by a Green LED Light, its Vocal Mode by a Pink LED Light, and its Music Mode by a Blue LED Light.
At the front-side of the microphone’s body, we have a built-in 3.5mm headphone output port that allows users to directly connect a pair of headphones to the microphone
Finally, at the back-side of the microphone, we have its USB-C Connection port.
CONNECTIVITY
Since this is a USB microphone, it obviously features USB Connectivity, more specifically, USB-C Connectivity.
Moreover, the SSL CONNEX also supports USB-A Connectivity, as it also comes with a USB-C (female) to USB-A (male) Adapter included in its package for those who only have USB-A ports available in their PC / laptop setup.
COMPATIBILITY
Compatibility-wise, this portable advanced USB microphone features compatibility with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, meaning that it can be used with both Windows PCs / laptops, as well as with any MacOS PC / laptop, and can also be used with any USB tablet (whether that tablet is running on a iOS or Android system).
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
Inside their package, users will find: their Solid State Logic SSL CONNEX USB Microphone, the microphone’s 6.56 ft. / 2 m USB-C to USB-C Connection Cable, its USB-C to USB-A Adapter, its 1/4″ thread Adapter, plus a Quick Start and Safety Guide.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Solid State Logic SSL CONNEX is a portable advanced USB microphone equipped with a high-quality quad condenser microphone array that’s powered by studio-quality DPS, featuring a great audio-recording quality with a 96kHz Sample Rate at a 16-bit Bit Depth, Intelligent Dynamic Noise Reduction, 4 Pre-Set User Modes to choose from, for which all include an advanced Immersive Recording Setting that lets you access all 4 signals independently, and an Automatic Smart Mixer for picking up multiple voice-sources for group calls, a Microphone Loopback function for ambient monitoring, along with Touch-Sensitive Controls, a Cough Switch and a Push To Talk functions, a built-in 3.5mm headphone output, Backlit RGB Illumination, plus compatibility with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
All in all, this microphone is perfect to record your voice while participating in voice- and video-conferences, as well as for recording your voice for any type of content creation activity, whether that’s live-streaming, recording music, or even recording a podcast.
If you’re interested in buying it, know that each unit is currently priced at $149.99. You can order yours online right now, either directly from Solid State Logic’s official shopping page, or alternatively, you can get it from Amazon if you’d prefer.
