Hello MWTM Team, I hope you’re having a great day.
I happened to have an opportunity to run a recording studio with an SSL4000G console, the console working great most of the time, but sometime the channel is fuzzing up or distorting from the dust, and I believe it’s coming from buttons and knobs. I’ve been trying to get the Deoxit and cleaning product that most people recommended, but It not easy to find those in my country. I really like the feeling and tone its giving me, but on the other hands, I’m afraid to use it since I’m not sure when will it act up.
Therefore, I would like to know if you have any tips or your cleaning routine for your SSL console to be in tip-top shape all the way through, or a certain way to clean the channel strip when it’s needed.
Please let me know if you need me to clarify any problems, since English is not my strong suit, some of the information might be confusing with the way I describe.
Thank you
Tantham
Hi Tantham,
Keeping our SSL console clean and running smoothly is a big priority for us. First to note: our studios are climate- and humidity-controlled, with a filtered AC system that keeps dust to a minimum. The rooms are also sealed from the outside, reducing exposure to airborne debris.
For regular maintenance, we use a mini vacuum to clean between the channels, which helps prevent dust buildup. Daily use of all channels also plays a big role—constant signal flow and engaging buttons, knobs, and switches keep the console in good shape. Exercising the controls while sending a strong signal through them can help clear out debris and maintain functionality.
Beyond that, we’re fortunate to have an SSL-experienced technician who checks and tunes the console regularly, replacing any worn-out pots, switches, or cards when needed. If you’re unable to source Deoxit easily, focus on regular use and keeping the environment as dust-free as possible.
You say you’re afraid to use it due to the uncertainty of it working perfectly, but I would recommend you use it as much as you can. The more use it receives, the better and smoother it will perform. And, you yourself will be more comfortable with the ins and outs of your specific console, helping you to know exactly what is and isn’t working for important sessions.
Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Zach Anderson
Mix with the Masters
4 Likes
Hi, 4000e owner here. Never use anything on the faders, you have to desassemble it for cleaning. You can use deoxit on pots, but very little and just when they are stuck by dryness. As already said the best is to exercise until the noise diseprear.
Do you know sslmixedforum ?
It’s the ssl owners forum where you can find all answers to your problems.
Best regards.
Thank you so much, Zach.
Appreciate your time for answering! Your answer helps me so much
Best regards,
Tantham
Hi Raphael,
I didn’t but I’ll sure will looking for it now. Most of my problems is coming from knobs and buttons, and need a lot of pushing to help them and each day is changing between channels, but my faders seem to be working good.
Thank you for your guide to sslmixedforum, I found one, I’m not sure it’s a right one or not but I won’t stop looking for more knowledge.
Much appreciate you time sir
Best regards,
Tantham
For pots: remove the little plastic cap at the top of the knob with a small flat screwdriver, then you got access to a copper nuts inside the knob cylinder, unscrew it just a little to remove the cylinder, then you got now access to the pot’s axis; clean the dust around and put a drop of deoxit along the axis, exercise the axis with a plier if it’s hard, and with fingers when it begin to turn more easily. Then rebuild the knobs. Your pot will refind its youthness and the cracking sound will desappear. While the plasic knob is removed, you can clean it with soap and water.
For push buttons, You can access when you remove the whole channel without removing the button; same thing: put a little drop of deoxit inside and exercise it.
Have fun.