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18

 SiX User Guide

Application Examples

Recording Drums

SiX is easily reconfigured for other recording tasks. Here's a slightly more complex example that explores some of the more 

advanced routing features of SiX to set-up a classic drum recording technique.

Here we have a three mic drum setup; kick, snare and mono overhead.

The kick and snare microphones are connected to the SuperAnalogue XLR mic inputs and processed with the SSL channel 
compression and EQ. The kick and snare are recorded to individual DAW tracks via the channel one and two Insert Sends (on the 
Output 25 Way D-type and which are always ‘active’ on an SSL). The overhead is connected to the Talkback Mic XLR input, so it 
can be heavily compressed through the LMC (Listen Mic Compressor).

The overhead is sent to the Stereo Cue 2 output jack by selecting the Foldback/Cue using the TALK, which acts as a split. 

One side is connected to the DAW audio interface for recording. The other side is connected to one of the stereo channels, which 
automatically sum a left mono connection to the Stereo Mix bus.

All three inputs are mixed down through the Stereo Bus Compressor and recorded as a parallel drum compression bus at the same 
time as the individual tracks. DAW playback is connected to Stereo Input two.

Summary of Contents for SiX

Page 1: ...SiX This is SSL SiX User Guide www solidstatelogic com ...

Page 2: ...o part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means whether mechanical 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 responsibl...

Page 3: ... a small village called Stonesfield SSL s development of advanced analogue mixing consoles has been continuous since those early days SiX was designed to put forty years of SSL heritage into a studio grade console that would fit into hand luggage providing engineers and musicians an amazing combination of analogue summing processing and workflow wherever they need to make a session happen or raise...

Page 4: ...g the many signal paths that are available and the multiple ways they can be used Meter scales and response The upper LED meter points on SiX s main meters have been carefully chosen The console is designed with a huge 27 dBu headroom and the meters have defined segments for 24 dBu and 18 dBu this is to match the two most common 0 dB Full Scale dBFS alignment standards i e European EBU at 0 dBFS 1...

Page 5: ...nstruction 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 life S...

Page 6: ...er and Pan 9 Monitor section 10 MAIN and ALT monitor outputs 10 Headphone Phones output 11 Monitor Source section 11 External 1 and 2 Levels 11 Foldback and Stereo Cue Master Section including Talk Input 13 Talk Input Pre amplifier and LMC 13 Talk Input 13 Switching the Stereo Cues from Pre to Post fader 14 Artist Cue Mixes 14 Foldback Outputs as Effects Sends 14 Main Meter 15 Main Bus 15 Main Bus...

Page 7: ...iary Outputs 27 DC Power Inlet 27 Appendix B Performance Specification 28 Audio Performance 28 SuperAnalogue Channel Microphone Amplifier 28 SuperAnalogue Channel Line Input Amplifier 28 Channel Equaliser 29 Channel Compressor 29 SuperAnalogue Stereo Channel Line Input Amplifier 29 Overall Channel Signal Chain Specifications 30 Overall Console Noise 30 Environmental Requirements 30 Appendix C SiX ...

Page 8: ...ssive coil inputs e g guitar pickups Two recording channels with fully balanced inserts simple SSL EQ and Dynamics and true bypass processing switching Fast accurate peak response LED meters Mixing Versatility 12 channel stereo summing probably more studio grade analogue summing per square inch than any other console Main bus with fully balanced insert Simplified SSL Bus Compressor 100 mm studio g...

Page 9: ...the box before using SiX Heat Ventilation and Rack Mounting Option 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 User Guide to make sure that it is used within its designed enviromental parameters Optional rack mounting kits to fit one or two SiX consoles within a...

Page 10: ... 100 mm Channel Fader Talkback Microphone Input 48V and LMC Switch Two Fully Balanced External Inputs SSL G Series Bus Compressor Cue Foldback Master Section Summing Main Output Master Section 100 mm Main Fader Summing Monitor Source Selector and External Input Level Controls SuperAnalogue Stereo Channels with Switched Stereo Sends PFL switch Fully Balanced Channel Insert Stereo Cue1 Level Pan wit...

Page 11: ...Cue 1 2 Outputs Balanced TRS 1 4 Jack Channel and Main Balanced Insert Sends Monitor OP Parallel See Appendix A for Pinout Channel and Main Balanced Insert Returns Alternate Input 1 2 See Appendix A for Pinout Bus B Outputs Balanced TRS 1 4 Jack Alternate Monitor Outputs Balanced TRS 1 4 Jack Main Bus Outputs Balanced Male XLR Pin 2 Hot Main Monitor Outputs Balanced TRS 1 4 Jack DC Power Connector...

Page 12: ...l input TRS Jack Socket Mic Input XLR The default microphone input uses SSL s SuperAnalogue design and includes individually switched 48V phantom power The Mic XLR input s nominal impedance is 1 2 kΩ 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 ...

Page 13: ... and bell curves using the BELL switch a feature found on many SSL EQ designs 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 two controls 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 response...

Page 14: ...he compressed and uncompressed signals This also prevents component tolerances from influencing the sound of the channel strip when 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 switch...

Page 15: ...nal mix input Wiring details are in the Connectors section later in the document Channel Fader and Pan The channel signal level is controlled by a high quality 100mm fader The Pan pot directly above this pans the signal to the Main Mix Bus Next to the Fader is the Channel Meter as well as the channel Mute Bus B switch and PFL switch The Fader law is designed to provide more resolution around the 0...

Page 16: ...on each stereo channel with independent level controls These can be switched on or off using the ON switch a green LED indicates that the Cue send is switched on Both sends are fed from channel pre fader post insert but can be switched to post fader by engaging the corresponding CUE POST switch es in the Foldback master section The channel signal is unity gain to the Cue Bus when the Send Level co...

Page 17: ... to the ALT MON output Both Main and Alt outputs use balanced jack Sockets on the rear connector panel In addition to the jack outputs there is also a parallel of the pre switched Monitor Output on the 25 way OUT SEND D type connector on the rear panel pre Main Alt Switch Connection details are in the Connectors section later in the document The Monitor outputs are Off when the Monitor Level is fu...

Page 18: ... seen on the next page A powerful and unusual feature of the Monitor Source section is that the sources sum rather than switch 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 so...

Page 19: ...SiX User Guide Detailed Description 12 Monitor Source and External Inputs ...

Page 20: ...ue Foldback outputs of the console but with several other possible applications when the design is explored more fully Talk Input The Talk input is a balanced female XLR connector Below the connector are switches for Phantom Power and the LMC LMC is the legendary SSL Listen Mic Compressor here being used for Talkback which is arguably its original design purpose The Talk Input feeds a fixed 45dB h...

Page 21: ...Cue system although there is enough level to drive many headphones directly with suitable wiring balanced left and right outputs wired to unbalanced left right headphone connection The EXT 1 and EXT 2 switches in the Foldback master section provide a simple way to feed an external source to the Foldback outputs These are typically used when it would be useful to play something directly to the arti...

Page 22: ...e Main Fader are switches for the Main Bus Insert See below EXT 1 EXT 2 and ST CUE 1 These last three switches sum these signals onto the Main bus This provides the ability to sum six additional signals into the Main bus An example of how this can be used is to add additional analogue summing from DAW outputs or to effects return signals into the main mix or simply cascade additional mixers such a...

Page 23: ...in reduction applied 1dB 3dB 6dB 9dB 15dB The compressor has carefully selected attack and release times to suit a wide variety of mix content and uses the 4 1 ratio setting from the original processor that is preferred by many SSL large format console users Adjustable MAKE UP gain and a bypass IN switch allow level matching and switching for direct comparisons of the clean and processed signals T...

Page 24: ...d to the Digital Audio Workstation DAW from the Main mix bus using the Stereo Bus Compressor to smoothly manage the combined transients Using Stereo Cue bus 1 for the artist and the Headphone or Monitor outputs for the producer means each can have independent monitor mixes DAW playback is sent into the Stereo Channel and then to the artists using the Stereo Cue 1 control If useful two separate DAW...

Page 25: ... one and two Insert Sends on the Output 25 Way D type and which are always active on an SSL The overhead is connected to the Talkback Mic XLR input so it can be heavily compressed through the LMC Listen Mic Compressor The overhead is sent to the Stereo Cue 2 output jack by selecting the Foldback Cue using the TALK which acts as a split One side is connected to the DAW audio interface for recording...

Page 26: ...ed to the DAW input to create a direct record path DAW outputs 1 and 2 are connected to the Alt inputs on channels 1 and 2 via the 25 Way D Type Connector to allow a switch between live and recorded buses for the guitar and effects system using the ALT switches on the channels The synths are connected to the two Stereo Channels and stereo External Input 1 and a drum machine connected to stereo Ext...

Page 27: ...g the Channel Inserts so a pair of channels can be processed from the DAW through the SiX channel EQ and Dynamics This is done by connecting a pair of DAW outputs to the main inputs of Channels 1 and 2 Then connecting a return path from the Insert Send on Channels 1 and 2 back to the DAW The channel insert is taken post processing and returned pre fader To finish a pair of DAW outputs is then conn...

Page 28: ...DAW playback system connected to Stereo Input two as well as a phone tablet connected to an external input Each Artist has their own monitor mix using the Cue 1 and Cue 2 stereo sends The main mix output delivers a pristine audio feed to main PA system Front of House with the classic SSL Stereo Bus Compressor ensuring a controlled and punchy audio performance Capture your show using one of the Mon...

Page 29: ...part from other desktop mixers Up to four local and remote playback outputs can connect to the two stereo channels and master section external inputs We also have two talent mics in the booth connected to SiX s high quality SuperAnalogue mic pres with SSL compression and EQ The talent the operator and the remote producer all have separate monitor mixes The Cue buses provide talkback from the opera...

Page 30: ...cluding two mic inputs connected to 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 created for remote c...

Page 31: ...he the B Bus Mute button is not pressed This can be found under the B Bus output level control which is to the left of the Main Fader This button is a simple way to turn the Mute B Bus switches on the channel strips into permanant Mute buttons or simply mute the B Bus Output if it is being used as a secondary bus output There is no signal from the Foldback Outputs Check that there are no External ...

Page 32: ...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 affected ...

Page 33: ...ts 3 pin XLR Male Pin Description 1 0V 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 0V Chassis Talkback Microphone Input 3 pin XLR Female Pin Description 1 0V Chassis 2 Signal ve Hot 3 Signal ve Cold Line Inputs 1 4 TRS Jack Socket Pin Description Tip Signal ve Hot Ring Signal ve...

Page 34: ...n Circuit Description Circuit Description 1 24 12 25 Main L Insert Return Main L Insert Send 2 10 23 11 Main R Insert Return Main R Insert Send 3 21 9 22 Channel 1 Insert Return Channel 1 Insert Send 4 7 20 8 Channel 2 Insert Return Channel 2 Insert Send 5 18 6 19 Channel 1 Alt Input Main L Output Passive Split Not Buffered Output 6 4 17 5 Channel 2 Alt Input Main R Output Passive Split Not Buffer...

Page 35: ...fier Measurement Conditions Value Gain dependant on potentiometer tolerances Variable from 6dB to 72dB Input Impedance 1 2kΩ Max Input Level 1 THD 21 dBu Output Headroom 27dBu at onset of clipping Frequency Response 20Hz to 20kHz 3dB high rolloff 0 1 0 3dB 100kHz THD Noise 20dBu applied 30dB gain 1kHz filter 22Hz to 22kHz 0 0015 CMRR 10dBu applied 30dB gain 80dB Equivelant Input Noise EIN 150Ω ter...

Page 36: ...of clipping THD Noise 10dBu 1kHz filter 22Hz to 22kHz 20dBu 1kHz filter 22Hz to 22kHz Threshold 20 0 03 0 5 typical Frequency Response 20Hz to 20kHz 0 9 0 9dB Noise 90dBu 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 th...

Page 37: ...y Response 20Hz to 20kHz 3dB high rolloff 0 1 0 3dB 100kHz Output Impedance 100Ω Pot centre detent accuracy 1dB typically 0 5dB Overall 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 Va...

Page 38: ...31 SiX User Guide Appendix C Appendix C SiX Block Diagram ...

Page 39: ...32 SiX User Guide Appendix D Appendix D Recall Sheet ...

Page 40: ...33 SiX User Guide Notes Notes ...

Page 41: ...34 SiX User Guide Notes Notes ...

Page 42: ...SiX This is SSL www solidstatelogic com ...

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