Solid State Logic BiG SiX User Manual Download Page 12

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BiG SiX User Guide

Console Overview

Console Overview

Front panel

Fully Balanced SuperAnalogue

Microphone(XLR) or

Line (TRS Jack) Preamp Inputs

Mute/Bus B

switch

Two Independent

Headphone Level

Controls and Source

Selector

12 LED Main Meter

Monitor Level and

Output Switch

Control

100 mm

Channel

Fader

Talkback

Microphone Input,

48V and LMC

Switch

Two Fully

Balanced External

Inputs

External From USB

Return Selector

Switches

Talkback Level Master

Summing Cue &

Foldback Masters

Summing Main Output

Master Section

100 mm Main Fader

with Cue/Bus Comp

Parallel Mix Feature

Summing Monitor

Source Selector and

External Input Level

Controls

SuperAnalogue Stereo

Channels with Switched

Stereo Sends

PFL

switch

Fully Balanced

Channel Insert

USB Channel

Output with Post

Fader Option

Switch

Channel Pan

Two Stereo Cues

switched with Post

switch, level and

pan controls

3 Band HF/MF/LF

EQ with switchable

HF & LF Bell

Curve with Centre

Frequency Shift

Mic/Line Input Level

USB Source Select

Polarity Invert Switch

Two Stereo

Headphone

Outputs

Channel

Compressor with

Threshold control

switch and meter

SSL G-Series Bus

Compressor with Auto

Release Switch

Bus B Master Level

and Mute

Summary of Contents for BiG SiX

Page 1: ...BiG SiX www solidstatelogic com BiG SiX User Guide ...

Page 2: ...anical or electronic without the written permission of Solid State Logic Oxford OX5 1RU England As research and development is a continual process Solid State Logic reserves the right to change the features and specifications described herein without notice or obligation Solid State Logic cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from any error or omission in...

Page 3: ...hed allowing it to be removed from the signal path if it s not being used It s definitely worth taking some time to understand the BiG SiX block diagram and reading the examples later in this manual We hope you ll really unlock the versatility of the console when discovering the many signal paths that are available and the multiple ways they can be used Meter scales and response The upper LED mete...

Page 4: ...BiG SiX User Guide This Page Is Intentionally Almost Blank ...

Page 5: ...l construction of electrolytic capacitors means that their performance is imprecise and they are vulnerable to electromagnetic interference so even expensive high quality electrolytics do not meet our standards In addition over time and with temperature variations electrolytic capacitors degrade and become leaky resulting in significant noise issues altered sonic character and shortened product li...

Page 6: ...Q 8 Channel Compressor 9 Channel Insert 9 Stereo Cue Sends 10 Channel Fader and Pan 10 USB Send 10 Stereo channels 11 SuperAnalogue Stereo Input 11 Stereo Cue Sends 11 Stereo EQ 11 Channel Fader and Pan 11 USB Send 11 Monitor section 12 MAIN and ALT monitor outputs 12 Headphone Phones outputs 13 Monitor Source section 13 External 1 and 2 Levels 13 Stereo Cue Master Section including Talk Input 14 ...

Page 7: ...ost Production ADR or Foreign Language Dubbing 34 Application Examples Podcast Studio 36 Troubleshooting FAQs 37 Troubleshooting Tips 37 Warranty 38 All returns 38 Appendix A Physical Specification 39 Connector Details 39 Mono Channels 39 Stereo Channels 39 Insert Sends Returns 40 DC Power Inlet 40 Appendix B Performance Specification 41 Audio Performance 41 SuperAnalogue Channel Microphone Amplif...

Page 8: ...Introduction H BiG SiX User Guide This Page Is Intentionally Almost Blank ...

Page 9: ... power on each Mic Input Line level input with true HiZ 1 MΩ impedance switch for passive coil inputs e g guitar pickups Four recording channels with fully balanced inserts simple three band SSL EQ and Dynamics and true bypass processing switching Fast accurate peak response LED meters Inbuilt 16 channel high quality AD and DA Converters with USB C interface for DAWs Mixing Versatility 18 channel ...

Page 10: ...end the unit in for service Safety Notices IMPORTANT Please read the safety notice information included in the Safety Guide supplied inside the box before using BiG SiX Heat Ventilation and Rack Mounting Option BiG SiX packs a lot of SuperAnalogue electronics into its compact size It is designed to get warm in normal operation Please consult the operational specifications in Appendix B of this Use...

Page 11: ...uter If you do need to connect via a USB 2 0 compliant hub then it is recommended that you choose one of high enough quality to provide reliable performance not all USB hubs were created equal With BiG SiX we optimise the audio performance of a USB interface and as such some low cost self powered hubs might not always be up to the task Usefully you can check out our FAQs at solidstatelogic com sup...

Page 12: ...Main Output Master Section 100 mm Main Fader with Cue Bus Comp Parallel Mix Feature Summing Monitor Source Selector and External Input Level Controls SuperAnalogue Stereo Channels with Switched Stereo Sends PFL switch Fully Balanced Channel Insert USB Channel Output with Post Fader Option Switch Channel Pan Two Stereo Cues switched with Post switch level and pan controls 3 Band HF MF LF EQ with sw...

Page 13: ...d TRS 1 4 Jacks DC Power Switch Stereo Cue 1 2 Outputs Main Bus Outputs Channel Balanced Insert Returns Bus B Outputs Alternate Monitor Outputs Stereo Main Bus Summing Inputs Main Monitor Outputs DC Power Connector 4 Pin mini DIN Connector USB C Connector Main Bus Insert Sends Main Bus Insert Returns Channel Balanced Insert Sends Right Stereo Channel Inputs Left Stereo Channel Inputs ...

Page 14: ...BiG SiX User Guide Console Overview 6 This Page Is Intentionally Almost Blank ...

Page 15: ...e Input TRS The XLR is the default source input the source can be switched to the TRS jack line input by pressing the LINE switch on the channel The nominal Line Input impedance is 10 kΩ this can be changed to 1 MΩ using the Hi Z switch This input impedance makes this input suitable for very high impedance sources such as passive guitar pickups without the need for an external DI box The Gain cont...

Page 16: ...ndependently switched between shelving and bell curves using the BELL switch A useful feature of the bell curves is that they change centre frequency to operate at 5 kHz and 200 Hz giving greater versatility from the HF and LF sections The EQ is switched in circuit or completely bypassed using the IN switch This small detail guarantees no influence on the channel s exceptionally flat frequency res...

Page 17: ...n the Threshold is turned to minimum Channel Processing Overview Channel Insert Following the EQ and compressor in the channel signal flow is a fully balanced insert point In common with larger SSL consoles the Insert Send is always active while the Insert Return switches into the signal path when selected The primary use of the insert is to bring external processing into the channel signal path F...

Page 18: ...to the bus when the Pan control is hard left or right The centre Pan level is 4 5 dB from 0 dB to each bus The Mute Bus B switch mutes the channel feed to the Main Mix Bus whilst also sending the channel signal post fader to the additional stereo Mix Bus B The PFL Pre Fade Listen switch sends the channel signal to the PFL bus and interrupts the monitor bus without affecting the main signal output ...

Page 19: ...tched to post fader with the individual POST switches The channel signal is unity gain to the Cue Bus when the Send Level control is fully clockwise Stereo EQ The stereo EQ is similar to the channel EQ in that it s a gentle broad stroke three band design with high and low shelving filters at 3 5 kHz and 60 Hz adjustable from 15 dB to 15 dB of gain and a Mid Frequency control centred at 700 Hz Chan...

Page 20: ... has two sets of balanced outputs for loudspeakers labelled MAIN MONITOR and ALT MONITOR See rear connector layout below By default the MAIN MONITOR output is used Pressing the ALT key on the front panel switches the Monitor feed to the ALT MONITOR output Both Main and Alt outputs use balanced jack Sockets on the rear connector panel The Monitor outputs are Off when the Monitor Level is fully anti...

Page 21: ...h This allows monitoring of external signals alongside the main mix buses while using these buses to feed audio recorders or other clean feeds Buttons in the MON SOURCE section SUM signals into the monitor outputs as follows MAIN Main Bus after fader insert compressor and source summing BUS B Bus B after the level control and MUTE switch EXT 1 External Input 1 after the level control EXT 2 Externa...

Page 22: ...g functions TALK sums the output of the Talk section with the Cue Bus to the selected Cue Output EXT 1 sums the External Source 1 input with the Cue Bus to the selected Cue Output EXT 2 sums the External Source 2 input with the Cue Bus to the selected Cue Output Talk Input Pre amplifier and LMC BiG SiX s Talk Input is an additional pre amplifier and compressor circuit nominally designed to provide...

Page 23: ...nd as the output Artist Cue Mixes The master Cue features of BiG SiX are designed to provide a separate artist mix from the engineer s monitoring and headphone feed using the Mono and Stereo Channel s Cue Send buses Typically the fully balanced outputs will be connected to a dedicated Headphone amplifier or Cue system although there is enough level to drive many headphones directly with suitable w...

Page 24: ...6 Sends The high quality 100 mm Main Bus stereo fader controls the Main Bus level to the Main outputs and has gain up to 10 dB As with the channel faders the fader law is designed to provide more resolution around the 0 dB point allowing subtle level changes from modest fader movements External to Main Bus Summing Above the Main Fader are switches for the Main Bus Insert See below EXT 1 and EXT 2 ...

Page 25: ...t hand side EXT 1 EXT 2 BUS B OUT S C VCA VCA S C VCA VCA L R L R L R MIX AFL L R MAIN BUSB SEND RETURN SEND RETURN IN MUTE LEVEL L to 10dB R BUS COMP to ST CUE 1 T HOLD INSERT MAIN OUT MAKE UP USB SEND 15 16 USB SEND 13 14 AUTO RLS L R SUM IP TO MAIN G SERIES BUS COMP L R FROM EXT 1 FROM EXT 2 BUS B TO MON FROM ST CUE 1 MAIN BUS TO MON ALTERNATIVE MONITORS MAIN MONITORS SEND RETURN 1 6 A U D I O ...

Page 26: ... it is summed with the Main mix while the Main mix bypasses the G Series Bus Compressor e g Normal signal flow With ST CUE 1 TO G COMP SUM TO MAIN BUS selected Main Mix Bus Block Diagram Main Bus Main Insert Channel OP G Bus Comp Main Fader Main Output St Cue 1 Bus St Cue 1 Master Ext Talk Sum St Cue 1 OP St Cue 1 Output Main Bus Main Insert Channel OP G Bus Comp Main Fader Main Output St Cue 1 Bu...

Page 27: ...se time constant Auto Release circuit automatically increases the release time once the compression acts over a longer time period This results in shorter release times after short transient compression and longer release times from more continuous compression action Auto Release can result in longer release times depending on signal content which may appear as if the LED meters are stuck on howev...

Page 28: ...ble it is best to connect BiG SiX directly to a spare USB port on your computer If you do need to connect via a USB 2 0 compliant hub then it is recommended that you choose one of high enough quality to provide reliable performance not all USB hubs were created equal With BiG SiX we optimise the audio performance of a USB interface and as such some low cost self powered hubs might not always be up...

Page 29: ...G SiX may be set up using the CONFIGURE SPEAKERS menu on this page For example you may want to configure the Mac output to send to EXT 2 on BiG SiX in which case routing the Speakers to Outputs 15 16 will enable this shown in this diagram on the right By selecting BiG SiX as the audio interface in the DAW all 16 USB channels will be visible to the DAW How these are displayed is controlled by the D...

Page 30: ...t s worth noting that a quirk of Logic Pro is that the Stereo Output routing is attached to Logic s outputs 1 and 2 This can be changed in Logic s PREFERENCES AUDIO IO ASSIGNMENTS menu however changing the default stereo output for example to 15 16 doesn t release outputs 1 2 to be discretely routed from the DAW paths This can be resolved in Logic by creating an Aggregate Device in OSx An internet...

Page 31: ...e Driver is to be installed A default location will be automatically chosen but this can be over ridden if required Windows Driver Installation Open the driver installer software There should be a screen similar to this After selecting Next the screen changes to ask where the Driver is to be installed A default location will be automatically chosen but this can be over ridden if required The insta...

Page 32: ...set to use ASIO driver and see USB inputs 1 16 and outputs 1 16 For the best and most flexible performance with DAW s ASIO is the preferred choice For other Windows audio formats the driver arranges the USB signals to and from BiG SiX in pairs the output from the PC to BiG SiX are labelled as Output 1 2 Output 3 4 etc to Output 15 16 Windows controls the order these pairs appear so they may not be...

Page 33: ... to 4 to the workstation are connected to the pre fader output of the four Mono SuperAnalogue channels This feed can be switched Post Fader by selecting the individual USB OUT POST FADER switches next to each of the 100 mm faders for the channel This is useful if you want to record the channel signal including its level back to the DAW Typically this is used where a summing mix of stems is recorde...

Page 34: ...reo In x 2 SuperAnalogue Channel In x 4 BUS B BUS B Line Amp St EQ St Cue 1 St Cue 2 From USB 9 10 USB Out Post Fader Stereo In 9 10 BUS B Line Amp St EQ St Cue 1 St Cue 2 From USB 11 12 USB Out Post Fader Stereo In 11 12 BUS B St Cue 1 Out St Cue 2 Out Fader Fader Fader Cue 1 to USB 9 10 Cue 2 to USB 11 12 USB 1 2 3 4 USB 5 6 7 8 USB 9 10 USB 11 12 USB 13 14 USB 15 16 USB 1 2 3 4 USB 5 6 7 8 USB ...

Page 35: ...ONES 1 PHONES 2 STEREO CUE 2 16 AUDIO IN 16 AUDIO OUT U S B USB DI 2 DI 1 MIC 2 MIC 1 STEREO 5 6 STEREO 7 8 STEREO 9 10 TALK BACK MIC S T C U E 1 DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION EXT 1 EXT 2 STEREO 11 12 BiG SiX User Guide Application Examples 27 ...

Page 36: ...io Workstation DAW from the Main mix bus using the Stereo Bus Compressor to smoothly manage the combined transients DAW playback is sent into Stereo Channel 11 12 which is routed to Bus B and then to the artists using the Stereo Cue 2 control If useful two separate DAW feeds can be used into two Stereo Channels allowing for separate click track and playback level controls to the artist s cue feed ...

Page 37: ...4 8 6 DENSITY VIOLET EQ 9 9 6 6 3 3 0 dB Hz 30 50 90 70 9 9 6 6 3 3 0 HIGH dB LOW kHz 8 12 20 16 HF COMPRESSOR THRESHOLD 6 2 10 10 6 2 dB 20 3 4 5 7 10 kHz X OVER STEREO IMAGE 12 12 8 8 4 4 0 SPACE dB 6 6 4 4 2 2 0 WIDTH dB 12 8 4 0 4 8 12 OUTPUT TRIM dB FUSION STEREO ANALOGUE COLOUR POST I P TRIM M S MODE IN IN IN IN IN INSERT PRE EQ BYPASS 24 21 18 15 12 9 6 4 0 4 6 12 15 18 21 MIX PROCESSING SE...

Page 38: ...ain mix is to be recorded dry A phone tablet is connected to EXT 1 to allow a rough idea of the musical piece to be played in to the studio and also via Stereo Cue Send 1 to the artists The mics are recorded to the Digital Audio Workstation DAW directly from USB Sends 1 4 from the channels pre fader or from the Main mix bus as a submix using the Stereo Bus Compressor to smoothly manage the combine...

Page 39: ...UDIO OUT V o x 1 USB MAIN BUS INSERT MIX EQ USB DAW CONTROLLER PHONES 1 PHONES 2 DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION B A S S B D S N R D R U M S G T R S K E Y S B K G V X V o x 1 B A S S B D S N R D R U M S G T R S K E Y S B K G V X M I X BiG SiX User Guide Application Examples 31 ...

Page 40: ... are mixed summed in BiG SiX over USB and the mix balanced using the faders pan controls and SuperAnalogue processing The overall mix is compressed using the Bus Compressor with a stereo EQ placed in the Main Bus Insert The output of the channel paths of BiG SiX are being recorded back to additional tracks the DAW using the Post Fader USB output allowing the balanced stem tracks to be printed to s...

Page 41: ...LK BACK MIC ST CUE 2 SEND TO DIALOGUE FX REVERB MIC 4 MIC 3 MIC 2 MIC 1 VOICE BOOTH DIALOGUE MIX V O M 1 FX STEM to ST 7 8 MUSIC STEM to ST 9 10 DIALOGUE FX REVERB RETURN to ST 5 6 USB CONNECTIONS KEY DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION V O M 2 V O M 3 V O M 4 BiG SiX User Guide Application Examples 33 ...

Page 42: ...ording via USB outputs 1 4 Dialogue reverb effects created in the DAW are fed from Stereo Cue 2 mixes from SuperAnalogue Channels 1 4 using the Cue 2 Output to USB 11 12 Send feature The output of these reverb effects from the DAW are then fed back to BiG SiX on USB to Stereo Channels 5 6 where they are sent to the actor s headphone mixes on Stereo Cue 1 The dialogue reverb could either be recorde...

Page 43: ...es 35 ALTERNATIVE MONITORS MAIN MONITORS PHONES 1 PHONES 2 DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION U S B USB STEREO 5 6 ST CUE 1 HP AMP TALK BACK MIC ST CUE 2 MIC 4 MIC 3 MIC 2 MIC 1 LOCAL SOURCES REMOTE SOURCES S T R E A M USB FX REPLAY REMOTE PLAYBACK ...

Page 44: ...local sources including four mic inputs connected to BiG SiX s high quality SuperAnalogue mic pre s with SSL Compression and EQ local playback connected to one of the Stereo Channels and remote playback feeds connected to the second stereo channel Additional stereo sources can be incorporated via External Inputs 1 2 There are separate local headphone and monitor mixes and a separate cue mix can be...

Page 45: ...ht This is a feature of the stereo inputs of BiG SiX see page 11 If an input is only connected to the left input of the stereo input pair i e Stereo Channel inputs and External Inputs then the signal is automatically sent to both left and right paths There is no signal from the B Bus output Check that the the B Bus Mute button is not pressed This can be found under the B Bus output level control w...

Page 46: ...d State Logic Terms and Conditions under European consumer law the purchaser has full statutory warranty rights for two years from the date of purchase of the product The warranty is valid only in those Member States of the European Union EU who have adopted the applicable EU law into their national legislation The applicable national legislation governing the sale of consumer goods is not affecte...

Page 47: ...uts 3 pin XLR Male Pin Description 1 0 V Chassis 2 Signal ve Hot 3 Signal ve Cold Stereo Channels Stereo Channel Line Inputs 1 4 TRS Jack Socket Pin Description Tip Signal ve Hot Ring Signal ve Cold Sleeve 0 V Chassis Talkback Microphone Input 3 pin XLR Female Pin Description 1 0 V Chassis 2 Signal ve Hot 3 Signal ve Cold Line Inputs 1 4 TRS Jack Socket Pin Description Tip Signal ve Hot Ring Signa...

Page 48: ...ve 0 V Chassis Bus B Outputs 1 4 TRS Jack Socket Pin Description Tip Signal ve Hot Ring Signal ve Cold Sleeve 0 V Chassis Alternate Monitor Outputs 1 4 TRS Jack Socket Pin Description Tip Signal ve Hot Ring Signal ve Cold Sleeve 0 V Chassis Insert Sends Returns 1 4 TRS Jack Socket Pin Description Tip Signal ve Hot Ring Signal ve Cold Sleeve 0 V Chassis DC Power Inlet 4 pin DIN Male Pin Description...

Page 49: ...ain dependent on potentiometer tolerances Variable from 6 dB to 72 dB Input Impedance 1 2 kΩ Max Input Level 1 THD 21 dBu Output Headroom 27 dBu at onset of clipping Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz 3 dB high rolloff 0 0 0 2 dB 80 kHz THD Noise 20 dBu applied 30 dB gain 1 kHz filter 22 Hz to 22 kHz 0 0015 CMRR 10 dBu applied 30 dB gain 100 Hz 90 dB Equivelent Input Noise EIN 150 Ω termination ma...

Page 50: ...HD Noise 10 dBu 1 kHz filter 22 Hz to 22 kHz 20 dBu 1 kHz filter 22 Hz to 22 kHz Threshold 20 0 07 0 7 typical Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz 0 2 0 4 dB Noise 87 5 dBu SuperAnalogue Stereo Channel Line Input Amplifier Signal applied to stereo channel line input and measured at main output insert send with the stereo channel s input gain trim and balance controls in their indent position with t...

Page 51: ...rall Console Noise Measured at main outputs channels routed as required with pans balance controls centred using Line input with termination All controls set flat out or at unity gain as appropriate channel and master faders calibrated for 0dB Measurement Conditions Value Noise at Main Output 1 mono channel routed all other muted All channels routed 90 dBu 116 dB with respect to 26 dBu 82 5 dBu 10...

Page 52: ... LEVEL ALT MON L R Headphone Jack 1 ST CUE 2 ST CUE 1 to 0dB LEVEL PHONES 1 MONITOR STEREO CUE 1 OUT 1L 1R STEREO CUE 2 OUT 2L 2R to 10dB LEVEL ST CUE 1 to 10dB LEVEL ST CUE 2 COMP IN 45dB LEVEL to 0dB 48V 48V TALK INPUT IN TB LMC T HOLD INSERT INSERT EXT IN MAIN OUT T HOLD MAKE UP MONITOR 75 Hz ST CUE 2 1 2K LEVEL ST CUE 1 LEVEL ST CUE 2 9dB 1M 20dB MON SOURCE CUE OUTPUTS 10K LINE MAIN MON L R US...

Page 53: ...12R 13 14 15 16 EXT 1 EXT 2 POST POST EXT 1 EXT 2 1 2 EXT LEVEL PFL MONITOR SOURCE EXT 1 FROM USB 13 14 EXT 2 FROM USB 15 16 USB POWER AUTO RELEASE 1 2 ST CUE 1 PAN R L dB 0 PAN R L dB 0 PAN R L dB 0 ST CUE 2 ON ON ST CUE 1 ST CUE 2 ON ON ST CUE 1 ST CUE 2 ON ON ON ON ST CUE 1 ST CUE 1 ON ST CUE 1 ON ST CUE 1 ON ST CUE 1 ST CUE 2 ST CUE 2 ON ST CUE 2 ON ST CUE 2 ON ST CUE 2 POST PAN R L POST PAN R...

Page 54: ...46 BiG SiX User Guide Notes Notes ...

Page 55: ...47 BiG SiX User Guide Notes Notes ...

Page 56: ...BiG SiX www solidstatelogic com ...

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