This project was my introduction to diy pro audio, I had done a copy of a 5F1 champ some time ago, so I already knew how to read schematics, use a soldering iron and take measurements with a multimeter, but the SSL compressor has technically nothing in common with a tube guitar amplifier (no tubes, no transformers, no class A). It sounds really nice though, the design is proven and there are a lot of people out there who have built the unit. I might even recommend this as a beginners project, the GSSL is not very expensive in parts costs, the casing and meter will probably be your highest expenses, at least they were for me. Depending of where you live, all of the parts can actually be sourced pretty easily, you won't get it all from a single source though. I made a list below of all the places where I got the needed parts, most a companies are in Germany, that is where I live.
Please read this security notice: If you don't know that you can actually get hurt really bad (or even killed!) by electricity then stop right here and do some reading on this matter, e.g. here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_shock
I would have never got involved in this project if it weren't for Jakob Erland of
Gyraf Audio who brought this project up on his webpage. He made the pcb layout for the compressor based on the SSL schematics, with some small changes (you can read about on his page).
I would have never finished this project if it weren't for the really nice people at the
prodigy forum, who were really, really helpful. Before you post on this discussion board, have a look at the Meta threads and/or do a search for your questions, because there is a big chance that what you want to know has shown up before and has already been answered. First place to look is the "SSL HELP THREAD", which you can find here:
http://www.prodigy-pro.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=47.
It took me altogether maybe about three months of part time work to get my first GSSL done, including waiting for the VCA's, the meter, the knobs, ... but the second one was a piece of cake. I hope that with the information provided on this webpage you won't need as long as I did, I really put this up as a collection of things I tweaked on my unit, based on information from "the lab" or THAT corporation datasheets. Though please bear in mind that I will not take any responsibility for the words on this webpage, but will correct any errors if you contact me through the forum.
If you would like to know what the SSL 4000E compressor is all about, have a look at the following websites:
SSL
http://www.solid-state-logic.com/music/xlogic_gseries.html
JAKOB ERLAND/ GYRAF AUDIO:
http://www.gyraf.dk/gy_pd/ssl/ssl.htm
FRANK / NRGRECORDING:
http://www.nrgrecording.de/html/ssl_compressor.html
PARTS SUPPLIERS (EUROPE/GERMANY):
http://www.rs-components.de
http://www.reichelt.de
http://www.canford.de/ (SIFAM VU METER)
http://www.cedos.com/ (THAT VCA'S)
http://www.prodigy-pro.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=233 (Gustav / GSSL PCBs)
http://www.schaeffer-ag.de (frontpanel engraving and drilling)
http://www.robeshop.de (19" cases)
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