SSL Costs.

[Makinithappen]

I've already done a search and read most of the threads on this forum with the word SSL in the title as well as a lot of other information online. The problem is that the replies have been all the way from "2500 dollars a month in electricity" to "it costs about as much as a refrigerator to run" I find both hard to believe. If anyone who owns one comparable, or has a fair amount of experience with them... your input would definitely be appreciated.

Our studio is looking at a couple for sale and we really want to know realistically what kind of electricity/ air conditioning costs we can expect. The ones we are looking at are 56 channel 6000s. (or 6056's...whatever...) An additional 2500 dollars a month on top of all the other expenses we have would pretty much put us out of business.

[kittonian]

To run an SSL 4000 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (because I do not recommend turning it off once it's up and running), with the price of electricity these days, you are talking about $1400/mo give or take a bit.

Hope that helps!

[jeffsochor]

A 7000 sq. ft. building with several SSLs running 24/7 will cost about 2 grand a month in electrical bills. The console isn't the hog, it's the 7 ton HVAC for the control room, and a separate (smaller) unit for the power supplies. Air conditioning will run all day every day, even when below zero outside.

[Killahurts]

Interesting thread.. specifically, I've always wanted to know the actual Wattage used by one of these, the desk + PS.

Let's say in a 56 Ch., like the OP suggested.

[jayfrigo]

Originally Posted by Killahurts

Interesting thread.. specifically, I've always wanted to know the actual Wattage used by one of these, the desk + PS.

It's not just one PS either. We have two tall racks in the machine room, 1 that is completely filled with guts for the G+, and the other which has the bottom 25% dedicated to it as well. There are two primary supplies, the crossover unit, a computer supply, the computer itself, the supply for the ultimation faders, and one more small supply just to finish it off. It definitely draws some current and sheds some heat.

[DannyMac]

why would you design a mixer with an impoverished ability to be turned on and off?

[idylldon]

Originally Posted by DannyMac

why would you design a mixer with an impoverished ability to be turned on and off?

Well, it can be turned off and on, but the prudent thing is to keep them running. There are thousands of potential sources for electronic failure in a console of this size/complexity, and powering them up and down puts more strain, both electronically and thermally, on components than keeping them running all the time. Some consoles have current limiting circuits for power up, which can help but not totally eliminate potential failures when the switches are turned on. Most studios that I've seen with large SSLs, Neves, Amek, API, etc. just keep them on 24/7, which takes deep pockets these days when you figure in the air-conditioning needed to keep them running cool.

Cheers,
--
Don

[The MPCist]

Or you could live in Sweden and do what my friend does -- keeps the door of his studio open (which is downstairs) and heats his house with it in the winter.

Says he actually saves money this way not having to spend so much on heating costs... ehhe


NOTE: He did design the studio with this in mind so....

[SK1]

Surely you could keep the cost down by having a very well insulated place with a very well insulated machine room and an extremely efficient hvac system with different zone controls for your machine room/control room/lobby etc. There are many resources when it comes to having a more energy efficient place. The thing is, you'll have to spend more money at first, but if you do it right, you'll make it up in the end.

If you're blasting the ac with crappy insulation, you're DWP bill will rise quick.

[andyspiller]

Have to say I spent a week working with the 9000J at Townhouse and you could cook on the board, it was running so hot - I fet like my face was being burnt!

[AudioFocus]

i don't know about some those estimates. we have a neve 8128 here. 3 power suppliesfor the desk, the gml power supply for the faders, the gml, computer, the power supply for the plasma meters, a pool who's filter is always on, sauna, guest apartment, and 3 ac units. our electric bill is never more than $700 unless we have a lot of bands staying here while they record, then it can get close to $1k.

[radu.ionescu]

Originally Posted by Killahurts

Interesting thread.. specifically, I've always wanted to know the actual Wattage used by one of these, the desk + PS.

Let's say in a 56 Ch., like the OP suggested.

Check Recycled Audio under the consoles menu and then "buying guide"

[samw@SSL]

Hi,

It is certainly true that our older consoles were quite power hungry, and this is something we considered when designing the AWS and Duality.

Given the insane rise in energy prices over the last year (and more to come no doubt), ownership of one of our modern consoles looks more and more attractive.

For example a 48 channel Duality will draw about 1,500W, which I would estimate at about 2 and a bit Apple Macs.

Also you safely switch it Off and On whenever you wish, without worrying about audio degradation, boot times and all of the other "legacy" issues.

Hope that this is of use,

Sam
Solid State Logic

[carlheinz]

Can you turn off the AWS900+ without problems?

[radu.ionescu]

Originally Posted by carlheinz

Can you turn off the AWS900+ without problems?

yes, we do it daily. we had (and still have) some problems with the AWS but certainly not from switching it on/off

[AndrewOswald]

I just got done with a 14 hour day so I'm exhausted and didn't read all the previous threads so sorry if i repeat any information.

I work at a studio with an ssl and the studio owner once mention that it's about 1000$ a month in electricity. It takes up 1 full rack in our machine room, and then add air condition costs (which you may already be paying) and maintenance (old console need a good amount) and its a pretty big wad of cash a month.

BUUUT.... despite the costs, i think ssl's make a great center piece for a studio. The patchbay, routing matrix, and center selection have become an extremely important part of my workflow and I would hate to have to work without one these days, so i suggest if can afford it to do it. Also watch out for the non-led light bulbs in these babies they burn out fairly quickly and if you don't know the ssl well it can cause alot of confusion.

[philosi]

Sure we have to run the A/C 12 months a year to keep our 4048 at 72 degrees, but the key is to have an economizer on your A/C system. It brings the cold air from outside into your system during the winter, making your HVAC a giant fan. This saves big bucks.
Also, make sure you re-balance your system when you install the SSL, so your live room and booths don't become walk-in refrigerators! (Assuming the thermostat is in the control room)

[mixman499]

another ssl in st.louis ?

cool.

i think the $$$ each month TOTALLY depend on your room, its design, and how your hvac is implemented in the rooms. it will def put out some HEAT !!

when i had the ssl at my old studio....we were in a less than ideal situation in a converted church and made use of the existing hvac system. there were no "zones" and the entire building was always getting ac at 60 deg. (not a lot of fun sleeping there in the winter time...as many a band from stl will tell you !!!)

i NEVER paid $1400/month on electricity. that seems fairly high to me. I know that Ameren (stl power co.), like most providers have jacked up prices...so not sure what that would be in todays world....(this was 3+ years ago.)

the impact that it will have on your current costs is a bit hard to estimate, not knowing how your room's hvac works currently.

that ssl is now in a semi-private room in st.louis. not sure of the costs there...but it is now in a room that was DESIGNED around it.

pm me sometime if you want some more insight.

and tell mr.callahan i said hello...will have to come check out your place...and the new venue when i am back in town.

best,

jchristopherhughes

[theother]

Originally Posted by kittonian

To run an SSL 4000 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (because I do not recommend turning it off once it's up and running), with the price of electricity these days, you are talking about $1400/mo give or take a bit.

Hope that helps!

I don't know how much you pay for electricity, but I can tell you that our 4000 G+ 60 channel desk consumes less than 2kW with the computer, TR, VU meters.

And this is a fact!

Now go, do the math, and ignore all the bullshit from people talking hearsay!

[theother]

Originally Posted by samw@SSL

Hi,

It is certainly true that our older consoles were quite power hungry, and this is something we considered when designing the AWS and Duality.

Given the insane rise in energy prices over the last year (and more to come no doubt), ownership of one of our modern consoles looks more and more attractive.

For example a 48 channel Duality will draw about 1,500W, which I would estimate at about 2 and a bit Apple Macs.

Also you safely switch it Off and On whenever you wish, without worrying about audio degradation, boot times and all of the other "legacy" issues.

Hope that this is of use,

Sam
Solid State Logic

If your new 48 channel Duality draws 1,500W and my 'power hungry' SL4060 G+ less than 2,000W, with the computer switched on, there must be something wrong with SSL's new salespitch!

I can show you pictures of my meter readings!

[theother]

Originally Posted by radu.ionescu

Check Recycled Audio under the consoles menu and then "buying guide"

The buying guide and other SSL installation guides quote power figures from peak values that only exist for brief moments, usually when the PSU's get switched on and the capacitors get charged. (or something like that according to my tech)

It makes sure your fuses don't trip and are adequate. But it's not your average consumption.

[theother]

Originally Posted by theother

If your new 48 channel Duality draws 1,500W and my 'power hungry' SL4060 G+ less than 2,000W, with the computer switched on, there must be something wrong with SSL's new salespitch!

I can show you pictures of my meter readings!

But I guess you do save a bit on A/C cost with the Duality as you don't have a machine room and it produces a bit less heat than the older SSL designs.

The difference might well be in the 2 figure £ per month area only though.

And if that matters for you I wouldn't even think buying an SSL.

The problem that I see with Dualitys is, the day SSL drops support, as they have done with the 4000 series, you can throw your desk into the skip, as it's virtually impossible to repair it with all the surface mount technology. You are totally dependent on SSL for repairs. Of course that's hopefully a long time into the future.
A 4000 series I can probably keep going for the next 30 years and more.

[Ken Paul]

Originally Posted by DannyMac

why would you design a mixer with an impoverished ability to be turned on and off?

I don'thave an SSL but my Soundcraft 1624 stays powered up. Many of have never turned our stuff off. Most studios and broadcast plants were designed to run 24/7. The gear likes not being turned on and off too... especially the older stuff. I try to find other ways to be green ;) This is another great example of the little things that are part of owning a real studio. The tech bill (whether staff or freelance) is another expense most people overlook...

Ken Paul
Kengineering

[Makinithappen]

Originally Posted by mixman499

pm me sometime if you want some more insight.

and tell mr.callahan i said hello...will have to come check out your place...and the new venue when i am back in town.

jchristopherhughes

I kinda wondered if you would show up in this thread. Your SSL was the one that is currently over at Jasons place, no?

I know there are several here in town (Buddha, Sawhorse, Music Creek) but we've been tossing around the idea for quite a while and Jim seems pretty excited about it.

Feel free to come by our place next time you come through town. We're quite a different operation than Sawhorse.

BTW. I believe he was the one that said something along the lines of "it costs about as much as a big refrigerator to run.

[unit7]

Originally Posted by Ken Paul

This is another great example of the little things that are part of owning a real studio. The tech bill (whether staff or freelance) is another expense most people overlook.

I agree with Ken Paul. I just bought an analogue desk. I'll keep it on only when mixing. When I track/edit, on tour, or on vacation, I'll have a monitor station like the Avocet ready. I think that it will save me money pretty fast as the consumtion of my desk is 5kW+ Plus AC on a little more than that. Lights will darken a little in the neighborhood while I'm mixing

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by samw@SSL

Hi,

It is certainly true that our older consoles were quite power hungry, and this is something we considered when designing the AWS and Duality.

Given the insane rise in energy prices over the last year (and more to come no doubt), ownership of one of our modern consoles looks more and more attractive.

For example a 48 channel Duality will draw about 1,500W, which I would estimate at about 2 and a bit Apple Macs.

Also you safely switch it Off and On whenever you wish, without worrying about audio degradation, boot times and all of the other "legacy" issues.

Hope that this is of use,

Sam
Solid State Logic

We are thinking of buying a 48 ch Duality for a new facility (with a bigger control room) in the next 2 years or so.
Good thread - nice to hear some of the figures being thrown around.
We can buy a s/hand 4000 series for under $100,000 here in Oz (ex US of course) but if it's going to cost $2000 a month in electricity and maintenance then no way - we will buy the Duality and hope support from SSL lasts a long time.

[rvwainscott]

Greetings,

I just finished wiring up a box of SSL 502's, 522's and 501's series EQ's and Pre's and I can tell you that each "cartridge" requires about 1/2 amp to run. This isn't a wild estimate but an actual fact I learned from having to design a power supply to run these things.

Now, do the math. Each channel has an eq, compressor and pre as well as the power need for routing, the fader pack, etc. A very conservative estimate would be 2 amps per ch. 60ch board would need, say, 120 amps.

Someone tell me if my math is wrong.

[philosi]

When I'm crankin up those 242's, the last thing I'm thinking about is the electric bill.

[tigermuzik]

has anyone (here) tried incorporating solar panels into the ssl situation?

[Killahurts]

Originally Posted by tigermuzik

has anyone (here) tried incorporating solar panels into the ssl situation?

Based on the numbers people are throwing around here, you'd need a solar array the size of your neighborhood to power one of these.