SSL X-Rack 4ch vs 8ch input modules

Jonny Radford · 16th July 2007

Hey everyone,

First post here, although avid reader for years. This site has helped me make many a wise purchasing decision.

So, anyway, I was thinking about getting 32 channels of SSL input modules to basically go from PT through the SSL modules for mixdown. I realize this isn't going to sound exactly like I mixed through an SSL (I have seen people hint at this on other threads and gotten the beatdown right quick). Obviously the new 8ch looks attractive because I will only need 4 of them (as opposed to 8 of the 4 input modules) but I read on another thread that there is some thinning of the stereo field with the 8's.

Does anybody have any knowledge of this? Is there really a difference?

Thanks for any help,

Jonny

Jim@SSL · 16th July 2007

There is a small difference in the stereo field - but this is mainly due to the 4 inut module having analogue pan pots that sound a bit better than ones in a DAW, There is certainly no "thinning" of the stero image using the 8 input modules compared to the 4 inputs module being panned hard left and right (well, not to my ears...)

I'd say get a mix of both 4 and 8 input modules. I've had good results with 2 x 4 input and 2 x 8 input for 32 channels, slightly better with 4 x 4 input and 1 x 8 input.

Personally though, I'd say get as many 4 inputs as you can. For me the best bit about summing products is analogue volume control. But then that's only my opinion

Rob King · 17th July 2007

Hey Jim, I have been looking at the XRack for the past month. 6x4 input cards and a master control. Quick question. The cable pin outs look a bit confusing to me. Can you use standard DB25's or do you guys offer a custom cable at all? Any info would be great. Cheers

Jonny Radford · 17th July 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim@SSL

There is a small difference in the stereo field - but this is mainly due to the 4 inut module having analogue pan pots that sound a bit better than ones in a DAW, There is certainly no "thinning" of the stero image using the 8 input modules compared to the 4 inputs module being panned hard left and right (well, not to my ears...)

I'd say get a mix of both 4 and 8 input modules. I've had good results with 2 x 4 input and 2 x 8 input for 32 channels, slightly better with 4 x 4 input and 1 x 8 input.

Personally though, I'd say get as many 4 inputs as you can. For me the best bit about summing products is analogue volume control. But then that's only my opinion

Thanks Jim. For me, I was planning to leave all the SSL modules at zero and do all the level setting in PT. That's what I have been doing with my Neve Kelso, but have gotten a little frustrated with only having 10 channels. Would you recommend getting enough 4 input modules for all the vitals (kick, snare, ld vocal etc) and getting the 8 module for things like loop submixes and stereo keyboard tracks?

I was planning on getting the EQ modules to handle the vitals and then keep using my Duende (which I love) for all the other tracks.

stevetgn · 17th July 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob King

Hey Jim, I have been looking at the XRack for the past month. 6x4 input cards and a master control. Quick question. The cable pin outs look a bit confusing to me. Can you use standard DB25's or do you guys offer a custom cable at all? Any info would be great. Cheers

Some are standard wiring some are not. I've just made 8 x D-Sub cables myself for my new X-Rack... soldering hell!!! Checkout my review post! ******//www.gearslutz.com/board/high-...ng-review.html

Jim@SSL · 17th July 2007

8 input module can take a standard DSUB. 4 input and Bus Master like to have custom.
SteveTGN will be able to tell you if the soldering was worth it...

The summing thing has kind of been asked to death and we all have our own oreferences. However, I find that analogue volume control is one of the major plusses about using a summing unit. Get the volume control away from your DAW and into the analogue domain wherever possible. On a small system 8 inputs with volume control and 8 inputs as straight summing is pretty adequate. Given the option though I go for 16 channels with volume control and 8 as summing.

Hope this helps.

stevetgn · 17th July 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim@SSL

8 input module can take a standard DSUB. 4 input and Bus Master like to have custom.
SteveTGN will be able to tell you if the soldering was worth it....

Yes it was worth it. A pain in the ass, but the money saved means I can buy more modules sooner

Jonny Radford · 17th July 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim@SSL

8 input module can take a standard DSUB. 4 input and Bus Master like to have custom.
SteveTGN will be able to tell you if the soldering was worth it...

The summing thing has kind of been asked to death and we all have our own oreferences. However, I find that analogue volume control is one of the major plusses about using a summing unit. Get the volume control away from your DAW and into the analogue domain wherever possible. On a small system 8 inputs with volume control and 8 inputs as straight summing is pretty adequate. Given the option though I go for 16 channels with volume control and 8 as summing.

Hope this helps.

It does!!! Thanks for your words of wisdom.

Rob King · 18th July 2007

Quote:

8 input module can take a standard DSUB. "...........4 input and Bus Master like to have custom."

Will you guys offer a 4 input and Master Section dsub cable for sale? Just curious.

kittonian · 18th July 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob King

Will you guys offer a 4 input and Master Section dsub cable for sale? Just curious.

We have custom cabling built for every customer who needs it, especially our X-Rack customers. Generally people just want to get to work, they don't want to start soldering once the unit arrives.

stevetgn · 18th July 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by kittonian

We have custom cabling built for every customer who needs it, especially our X-Rack customers. Generally people just want to get to work, they don't want to soldering once the unit arrives.

Yeah only I'm that daft!

ThomasWho · 1st April 2008

A quick question regarding the Dsub and Xrack. If I go from DA16x into the 8channel line module - would I need any special cables? or would a standard Dsub cable work?

Thanks!

Thomas

Jorg · 18th September 2011

Question about the 8 channel module:

It says channel 1/2 and 3/4 have "additional" insert points.
Does that mean there actually are insert connections for 5/6 and 7/8?

stevetgn · 18th September 2011

5,6,7,8 don't have any inserts so "additional" is just meaning 1/2 & 3/4 do.

16th July 2007	#1
Jonny Radford Gear Head Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 63 Thread Starter	SSL X-Rack 4ch vs 8ch input modules Hey everyone, First post here, although avid reader for years. This site has helped me make many a wise purchasing decision. So, anyway, I was thinking about getting 32 channels of SSL input modules to basically go from PT through the SSL modules for mixdown. I realize this isn't going to sound exactly like I mixed through an SSL (I have seen people hint at this on other threads and gotten the beatdown right quick). Obviously the new 8ch looks attractive because I will only need 4 of them (as opposed to 8 of the 4 input modules) but I read on another thread that there is some thinning of the stereo field with the 8's. Does anybody have any knowledge of this? Is there really a difference? Thanks for any help, Jonny

17th July 2007	#3
Rob King Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Sherman Oaks Posts: 1,095	Hey Jim, I have been looking at the XRack for the past month. 6x4 input cards and a master control. Quick question. The cable pin outs look a bit confusing to me. Can you use standard DB25's or do you guys offer a custom cable at all? Any info would be great. Cheers __________________ Rob King Green Street Studios My Production Gear List

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16th July 2007	#2
Jim@SSL Solid State Logic Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 1,443	There is a small difference in the stereo field - but this is mainly due to the 4 inut module having analogue pan pots that sound a bit better than ones in a DAW, There is certainly no "thinning" of the stero image using the 8 input modules compared to the 4 inputs module being panned hard left and right (well, not to my ears...) I'd say get a mix of both 4 and 8 input modules. I've had good results with 2 x 4 input and 2 x 8 input for 32 channels, slightly better with 4 x 4 input and 1 x 8 input. Personally though, I'd say get as many 4 inputs as you can. For me the best bit about summing products is analogue volume control. But then that's only my opinion

1st April 2008	#12
ThomasWho Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Oslo , Norway Posts: 520	A quick question regarding the Dsub and Xrack. If I go from DA16x into the 8channel line module - would I need any special cables? or would a standard Dsub cable work? Thanks! Thomas

18th September 2011	#13
Jorg Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,582 1 Review written	Question about the 8 channel module: It says channel 1/2 and 3/4 have "additional" insert points. Does that mean there actually are insert connections for 5/6 and 7/8?

18th September 2011	#14
stevetgn Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2006 Location: ITB now unfortunately! Posts: 1,725	5,6,7,8 don't have any inserts so "additional" is just meaning 1/2 & 3/4 do.