SSL Mini G sidecar

[sphereman]

Has anybody seen this yet? just stumbled on it last night.

http://www.aesproaudio.com/nev_sslpro.htm

Mills

[indie]

oh my...

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by sphereman

Has anybody seen this yet? just stumbled on it last night.

http://www.aesproaudio.com/nev_sslpro.htm

Mills

Those have been around for a while.

When you factor in the costs and the amount of channels its not a great buy at all.

[indie]

Hey Thrill,
Do you know what the price is on those things?
Micah

[sphereman]

Half the price of an AWS900. I emailed the company and they said 19500 pounds for 16 channels.

[TonyBelmont]

There's a company here in the US who made the exact same thing but better.... The Desk Doctor.

They called it SSL Junior and it was 5.1 capable and had the SSL computer, etc. If anyone was serious, I'm sure they could whip something up without the computer for much less. I remember the computer being the most expensive part of the console.. I could talk to Bruce if people were really interested and report back to everyone.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by sphereman

Half the price of an AWS900. I emailed the company and they said 19500 pounds for 16 channels.

That's almost $40K for 16 channels.

For that you can find a used SSL console somewhere.

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

That's almost $40K for 16 channels.

For that you can find a used SSL console somewhere.

And where 'ya gonna put it?

Right next to your pair of EMT 140's for the 5.1 'verb?

But right on, $40K is way too much for something like that. I could see if it was a 24 or 32 input frame, but 16?

Plus, it just doesn't look right.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

And where 'ya gonna put it?

Right next to your pair of EMT 140's for the 5.1 'verb?

Actually yeah.

I was looking at the EMT 140 on Ebay earlier thinking the same thing.

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

But right on, $40K is way too much for something like that. I could see if it was a 24 or 32 input frame, but 16?

Plus, it just doesn't look right.

Even 24 or 32 is a little too tight for me.

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Actually yeah.

I was looking at the EMT 140 on Ebay earlier thinking the same thing.

Actually I was busting 'yer balls about the plate comment you made yesterday!

Even 24 or 32 is a little too tight for me.

I hear 'ya. I can't work with just 24 inputs. Well, I can...it's really rough and if I'm in that kind of situation I'm usually tracking & mixing in the same room so I'll try to keep the track count as low as possible. Going with 32 isn't so bad, especially if there's a bunch of returns or a juke so I can get at least 40 inputs going. There's 44 on my Trident and I've come close to maxing it a few times, but so far I haven't.

I guess I'm not trying hard enough huh?

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

Actually I was busting 'yer balls about the plate comment you made yesterday!

I know Jay K.

But the 5.1 EMT Plate idea did come up today.

Or just getting/picking up a plate and where to freaking put it.

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

I hear 'ya. I can't work with just 24 inputs. Well, I can...it's really rough and if I'm in that kind of situation I'm usually tracking & mixing in the same room so I'll try to keep the track count as low as possible. Going with 32 isn't so bad, especially if there's a bunch of returns or a juke so I can get at least 40 inputs going. There's 44 on my Trident and I've come close to maxing it a few times, but so far I haven't.

I guess I'm not trying hard enough huh?

I am kinda in the same boat with my 6000E.

Some channels work and some don't.

Also i want to add 8 more but i need 8 more outs of PT.

So if i add 8 more channels i am still out 8 more outs and if i add 8 more outs i am outof 8 needed channels.

And my spending budget is so tight right now for this year that i can only do one or the other.

Now in hindsight I think i made a mistake by recently picking up a Neve 31102 module.

I got what i thought was a sweet deal but after the exchange rate,overseas shipping, racking of the module it will come out to be the same price as the needed upgrades.

Fukk man.

[GearHunter]

That's almost $40K for 16 channels.

For that you can find a used SSL console somewhere.

If you see a $40K SSL, do NOT buy it, unless you have a lot more money to spend. Buying an SSL is a big commitment, and you need $20K to $30K in addition to the price of the desk. Shipping, refurbishing, installation, power and climate-control issues are ALL real challenges and real costs that if you don't have the budget for, you're fuct.

We talk to people all the time that buy a "great deal" SSL off EBay or the open market for short money, realize too late it's a train-wreck, and then call us looking for help. And guess what? The HELP (parts, service) is NOT CHEAP. When they find out how much it is to replace all those bad switches ($17K or more for a 48 channel board) they get sick.

Sorry, had to get on a sopabox about that, but when you say "You can get an SSL for $40K" it gets my Irish up.

Now, you CAN get a nice 48 or 56 channel used SSL4000 for the price of (or less than) an AWS900.


The other thing people always want to find out is about SSL sidecars. They will buy a bunch of old I/O modules from us or elsewhere, and then try to make a "sidecar". Here's the dealio on that: IF IT WERE CHEAP AND EASY TO MAKE AN SSL SIDECAR, EVERYONE WHOULD HAVE THEM. And if you notice, NOBODY has one. You can't even really power up a single module or two easily. Spare modules on the market are for people with SSL consoles who want more modules. Those MINi-Gs and the like are one-off custom-built projects. There have only been a handful made. Because by the time you make a 16 channel, non automated SSL summing mixer, you will have spent so much time and money that you might as well look in to getting a real analog console, whether it be an SSL or something else. Why spend northward of $30K for that when you can get a used Trident 80C or a NEW Audient ASP8024? And an SSL G Compressor for your rack !

SSL is coming out with some more cool rack-mounted gear tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

[DC11]

We've got an 8 channel at school for class purposes and the power supply for that is about the same as it is for our 4000 series.

[GearHunter]

Originally Posted by DC11

We've got an 8 channel at school for class purposes and the power supply for that is about the same as it is for our 4000 series.

Right! And they used to make a rack-mount 500 series in the 80's for audio and video remote trucks and such...actually had some nice mic-pres...an 8 X 4 main unit and a 10-channel expansion unit. That's the closest thing to a "sidecar" or rack-mixer SSL ever made. The POWER SUPPLIES are the same size as a full blown console. Huge, heavy and way bigger/heavier than the rack-mixer itself.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by GearHunter

If you see a $40K SSL, do NOT buy it, unless you have a lot more money to spend. Buying an SSL is a big commitment, and you need $20K to $30K in addition to the price of the desk. Shipping, refurbishing, installation, power and climate-control issues are ALL real challenges and real costs that if you don't have the budget for, you're fuct.!

I would say in the old days yeah.

But with an extra $10K you can do the installation and wiring.

Finding a good tech to work with you is not as difficult as it used to be.

And if this is a personal studio purchase you can fix parts as you go.

The recapping you can do in stages(the most important being the power suppy).

Originally Posted by GearHunter

We talk to people all the time that buy a "great deal" SSL off EBay or the open market for short money, realize too late it's a train-wreck, and then call us looking for help. And guess what? The HELP (parts, service) is NOT CHEAP. When they find out how much it is to replace all those bad switches ($17K or more for a 48 channel board) they get sick. !

Again do it in stages.

Yeah if you do through PAD you will pay through the nose.

But if your tech is worth his salt you can find the parts cheaper.

You will just have to make a lot of phone calls.

Originally Posted by GearHunter

Sorry, had to get on a sopabox about that, but when you say "You can get an SSL for $40K" it gets my Irish up. !

Again i wonder why that is?

Originally Posted by GearHunter

The other thing people always want to find out is about SSL sidecars. They will buy a bunch of old I/O modules from us or elsewhere, and then try to make a "sidecar". Here's the dealio on that: IF IT WERE CHEAP AND EASY TO MAKE AN SSL SIDECAR, EVERYONE WHOULD HAVE THEM. And if you notice, NOBODY has one. You can't even really power up a single module or two easily. Spare modules on the market are for people with SSL consoles who want more modules. Those MINi-Gs and the like are one-off custom-built projects. There have only been a handful made. Because by the time you make a 16 channel, non automated SSL summing mixer, you will have spent so much time and money that you might as well look in to getting a real analog console, whether it be an SSL or something else. Why spend northward of $30K for that when you can get a used Trident 80C or a NEW Audient ASP8024? And an SSL G Compressor for your rack !

SSL is coming out with some more cool rack-mounted gear tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

I agree on the SSL side car.


I disagree on the Audient which is as bland sounding as you get.

The Trident imparts its signature all over.

Also it routing option is short changed.

The older SSL's unmodified are not the greatest of sounding consoles, but they still are useful when mixing.

[dave-G]

For some reason I vaguely remember little SSLs like that being used as pre-sales tryout units many moons ago ... Am I hallucinating?

-dave

[u b k]

if i'm gonna spend $40000 on a little console it's either gonna be old and say API on the bridge, or it's gonna be new and say Daking on it.

and in either case it'll be 24 channels .


gregoire
del ubik

[GearHunter]

Yeah if you do through PAD you will pay through the nose.

Actually, PAD rates are reasonable, and they sell parts slightly cheaper than SSL. If you buy a console from PAD, and have PAD's Tech Shop service it as a package deal, it costs less that buying the services ala carte. And PAD warrantees the consoles or up to a year.

But if you need to do group routing switches and/or EQ/Dynamics swithches, it's gonna cost you, no matter who does it. At least PAD includes that in their standard refurbishing when you buy a desk from them. After all, PAD has sold something like 150 used SSLs in the past decade.

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally Posted by dave-G

For some reason I vaguely remember little SSLs like that being used as pre-sales tryout units many moons ago... Am I hallucinating?

-dave

Maybe, maybe not. I remember seeing a 4-banger at one point which was said to have been a demo piece right from SSL.

[indie]

I talked to Don at SSL today, he said he was unfamiliar with the mini G. And the company's website connected with the link is not part of the SSL company.
Oh well...

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by indie

I talked to Don at SSL today, he said he was unfamiliar with the mini G. And the company's website connected with the link is not part of the SSL company.
Oh well...

Did you expect anything else?

These aren't SSL products. They are custom, one-off type things..

[indie]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Did you expect anything else?

These aren't SSL products. They are custom, one-off type things..

Did I expect anything else? um...yeah it says ssl side car. I thought it was an SSL product.
Micah

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by indie

Did I expect anything else? um...yeah it says ssl side car. I thought it was an SSL product.
Micah

Sorry Micah, I figured you knew that they were being made by another company from the link... I can see where the title of this thread could be mis-leading.

Either way, if you really want something like that it is entirely possible... I can put you in touch with the right people here in the U.S. that could make something like this for you. It's basically a couple SSL 4000 series buckets and a custom center section with no computer.

[indie]

No problem Tony. There are so many options now...good time to be a gear nerd/slut. thumbsup

[Reptil]

here is another one..

http://www.recycledaudio.co.uk/image.../Marcos3up.jpg

[grahluk]

Why would anyone want an SSL sidecar? IMO the virtues of those old consoles is in their capacity and flexibility. When you start shaving that down to less than 16 channels you marginalize the best parts of the console (mixbus, routing). In this day and age there are so many options for sidecar rigs that channel for channel sound waaay better than the SSL and are much more space efficient and do you really need a 16 channel mixer with 32 busses?