Sound On Sound met up with former Solid State Logic System and Support Team Leader Karen Down at Echotown Studio for a deep dive into the automation and recall technology that brought about a revolution in mixing. Integrating a computer and VCA automation into an inline mixing console, Solid State Logic's 4000 E-series was the first to combine total parameter recall, level automation, tape transport control and comprehensive channel EQ and dynamics. The 4000 E launched in 1979 and allowed engineers to record, edit and overdub their fader moves to floppy disk, defining many of the automation modes we now take for granted. This console and its descendants dominated the music recording industry for the next 20 years, creating new working practices and changing the sound of popular music. In this exclusive Sound On Sound feature video, Karen demonstrates some of the key features that set the SSL console apart from its contemporaries and gives a tutorial on how to use the integrated computer. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:40 - What Makes The SSL SL 4000 Mixing Console Special? 02:39 - Loading A 24-Track Tape Onto A Reel-to-Reel 03:49 - How Does The Automation System Work? 05:56 - Setting Up A New Session With The SSL Console Computer 07:10 - Finding The Start Of The Song 07:52 - Adding Names For Tracks And Cue List 09:39 - Total Recall Setups And Floppy Disk Storage 12:16 - Recording Mix Automation 15:29 - How To Edit And Update A Mix 17:27 - 'Auto Takeover' Automation Mode 18:47 - Setting Up Different Automation Modes 20:04 - 'Play Cuts Only' Mode 21:00 - 'Immediate Pickup' Mode 21:23 - 'Preview' and 'Trim' Modes 25:07 - 'Revise' Mix Mode 27:41 - Ability To Combine And Edit Mixes Offline 29:05 - Software Groups Used To Group Controls 30:44 - Outro .................................................................................................................. More info on Universal Audio: https://u.audio/sos * Subscribe to Sound On Sound https://sosm.ag/subscribe * Get 50% SAVING off a Sound On Sound Digital Subscription. Use Promo Code SOSYT50 https://sosm.ag/digital Visit our website for 15,400+ unlocked articles: https://www.soundonsound.com/ ** Get FREE 170-page RECORDING TECHNOLOGY eBook: https://sosm.ag/recording-ebook Stay up to date with the latest gear and music software news: https://www.soundonsound.com/newsletter/signup Like FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/soundonsoundmag Follow TWITTER: https://twitter.com/soundonsoundmag Follow INSTAGRAM: @soundonsoundmag