Why No 32-Channel Modern SSL Console?

[jetam]

To me, the 24-track format is great and 24 tracks calls for 32 channels on the console and I'm sure that the 32-channel Duality would be easier to sell than the 24-channel one.

[Greg Curtis]

Rolls Royce is owned by BMW; has been since 1999 I think. Their old cars were shiite, but the new ones are awesome.

I thought Rose Royce was the Archies mixer?

Anyway, why not just get a 48 channel console? Neve or SSL will make you one.

[londonengineer]

Old Rolls Royce cars are some of the finest no-compromise vehicles ever made. Different argument for a different website though!

Neve sell Genesys' (Genesyses, Genesys's?!) in multiples of 8 channels from 16 to 64, so you could get a 32-fader one from the factory.

[passmore]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

Actually is is just you. There is good reason SSL no longer makes large format analog consoles.

you know wants even funnier - a band I worked on got featured in a magazine. The photos for the article were all done with a big ass SSL room.
Yet the entire project was all ITB.
Smoke and mirrors my friend

[Greg Curtis]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

Folks often ask me, "What's the BEST analog console?"

The answer is always the same:

"The one you can keep running".

So true. Working on our mid-'90s Neve, for example, has been a lesson in parts scavenging. Finding relays, pots, switches and chips that are simply not made anymore and not in Neve inventory, has been a challenge. But they are out there; and so when you do find them, it pays to buy as much as you can before that supplier runs out.

It sure would be nice to call up the home office and order the spare parts for this console, which cost north of one million dollars back in the '90s. I mean, these switches and pots do actually wear out, you know! Hard to believe they planned obsolescence for a $1m film scoring console at under 10 years.

-Greg

.

[Greg Curtis]

Yes, but there aren't too many choices out there for giant film desks, unfortunately.

Coincidence: Just got word that our 2-month long wait for "unavailable" 6-pole switches finally came in. Woot.

-GC

[cinealta]

Originally Posted by Greg Curtis

Anyway, why not just get a 48 channel console?

Duality frame-size is too large. A hypothetical "AWS 964" would be ideal. Thirty-two discrete channels with the option of dual-lane for some or all of them.

[Jim@SSL]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

Folks often ask me, "What's the BEST analog console?"

The answer is always the same:

"The one you can keep running".

As I said in my previous post, this thread has gone far far off what the OP asked. However for the sake of clarity I will post a few details but will not re-post stuff that's been previously covered.

The last 4000E shipped in 1990. IIRC the last G-series shipped in the early 2000s. We still have owners of G series console having a support contract with us and we are able to supply parts. Because of the scarcity of parts for these products (as you quite rightly allude to in your descriptive post about Soundcraft) we are only able to supply the "last-time-buy" components we purchased and stock as spares to those owners with support contracts with us.

We still factory support a small number of G Series.
J-series started shipping in 1994 and is still factory supported.
K-Series started shipping in 2002 and is still factory supported.

If anyone wants to get some information about Jim and where he is coming from then it can be found here Audio Upgrades

[bassjam]

Originally Posted by Greg Curtis

Yes, but there aren't too many choices out there for giant film desks, unfortunately.

Coincidence: Just got word that our 2-month long wait for "unavailable" 6-pole switches finally came in. Woot.

-GC

Only really one new choice.

[thenoodle]

Originally Posted by Jim@SSL

None of this is to say that we'll never make a 32-channel console. This all depends on what customers ask us for.

Okay.. I would like a 32 channel console on a 64 channel mainframe and I'd like that for a grand total of $1200. (That's two zeros). I'd also like free shipping here to SoCal and a ten year support agreement for free.

I'd also consider the above, but with no wiring inside... so people think I have a giant ssl and are impressed with me. I'll pay $298 tops for that version. When clients are gone, I'll continue to mix in the other room itb with a mouse.

(Think he'll put the order through for me?)

[Daniel Comport]

Off topic, but as far as I'm concerned SSL support has to be the BEST I have experienced in the last 10 years (OK Royer mics as well)

That a direct thank you to Richard@ssl who helped me out no end this morning.

[TheLastByte]

The reason I just can't get down to the AWS900 or 924/948 - 8 Busses - I'm sorry, I need more then 8 Busses - sure I know double the Buss double the cost!
Then again - how abut 16 Busses - Double Bussed?

[Matt Syson]

Hi
Lurching a bit OT for a moment, but I can remember the representative of Harman in a 'speech' to the employees of AMEK saying that the future was secure and things would progress and probably 'improve'. Within a short period of time a significant proportion of the workforce were made 'redundant' followed by closing the factory completely about 6 years later. Says something about commitment.
Matt S

[TheLastByte]

Ok...Well while we are OT

I Guess that was "AFTER THE AMEK 5.1 ANALOG" ........Talk about a long ride indeed! DVD and 5.1..Ha..We bought nearly everyones Bullsh*t Hyperbole! 5.1 Surround, DVD, Live Streaming, TV, DVD....I could go on forever! Sold a Lie and a Pup... so many bought it it's no joke...that AMEK bought in....worse, as they had a digital system!

What's next Analog on Digital Tape! (on Hard Drive - Nyquist!!!!!!) No...DARYAR ....Sorry RADAR!

[shortstory]

As an owner of an early SSL AWS900, I can say that SSL support is awesome.

And there is no other small footprint console with LFAC attributes that is also a DAW controller (and it's amazing & yes we use it including the TFT for plug-ins).

Not to even mention the absolute flawless brilliance of total recall and SSL analog automation on mixes.

Nobody even comes close to this package as far as I know. I love the sound of many consoles out there but the functionality of an AWS on an every day every mix basis is pretty remarkable. And mixes sound killer.

[ksandvik]

There might be a market for a hybrid DSP-run SSL like console that either acts as pre-amps in front of a DAW and then as a summing mixer. But I doubt anyone would build and sell such a thing below $10k. Means the only market would be studios that are hurt already and won't invest in such things. While the good market is the semi-pro one and it takes a lot of restaurant visits to convince a wife to plunge $10k into a mixer...

It's just easier to simulate SSL as plugins and get the job done.

[jetam]

I think that many people didn't get the point of this thread if they are talking about plugins.
SSL is making analog consoles. AWS is 24 channel and the duality is build in blocks of 24.
Anyone who has ever worked on an analog console with a 24-track recorder knows that 24 channels are usually not enough - you need returns for delays and some fx on the faders, subgrouping and paralel processing also takes more channels, so 32 or 36 channels is probably the best configuration for 24 tracks.
You'll hardly see any older SSL console in 24-channel configuration, but 32 and 40 aren't rare. The problem with those new SSLs is that if you want that few extra channels, you have to buy the 48-channel console.

[TheLastByte]

Originally Posted by jetam

I think that many people didn't get the point of this thread if they are talking about plugins. SSL is making analog consoles. AWS is 24 channel and the duality is build in blocks of 24. Anyone who has ever worked on an analog console with a 24-track recorder knows that 24 channels are usually not enough - you need returns for delays and some fx on the faders, subgrouping and paralel processing also takes more channels, so 32 or 36 channels is probably the best configuration for 24 tracks.You'll hardly see any older SSL console in 24-channel configuration, but 32 and 40 aren't rare. The problem with those new SSLs is that if you want that few extra channels, you have to buy the 48-channel console.

100% agree, that's why the AWS 900/948 & 8 busses just seems to small for my way of working - these new Short-loaded SSL E/G/G+ in 32 Channels or 3 buckets which include 8 Stereo Channels seems to make much more sense to me, Ok so maybe I sacrifice all TR & a Main Centre Section. Though a Master Panel & VDU - with 8 VCA's are still possible and an X-Rack/API Centre Section. I was playing with a FunkyJunk SSL Console Module Arranger the other day. Getting 24/48 Channels & an SSL E x 8 Stereo Channel Bucket was simple & cheap and looked like an efficient work flow! That has really got me thinking! (1/4 the price of an AWS948). The only 24 or 32 Channel SSL4000/5000 Series consoles I've ever physically seen have been for Film with only 1 or 2 Mic Pre's! Not a hard task to remove and throw in more channels - though really rare to find!

[Magnus Lindberg]

I don't think SSL will make one console model for every possible configuration. Most people are perfectly happy with either a 24 or 48 channel AWS, including me.
Want more busses? Duality.

Also I doubt the reason why AWS and Duality comes in 24 chennel configs have anything to do with tape machines anymore. It's just a convenient size that will fit in to most peoples control rooms these days.

[shortstory]

Agree about channel count- the more the better- and if I could afford a 948 or Duality, I'd do it. For now we use an X-rack with three 4 input modules for a total of 12 additional inputs that we sum & return to F/X return 4 for additional effects returns and we use a fat bustard for additional track summing.

I think the 948 is great and hope to upgrade some day. So to the OP, I'd actually rather have 48 than 32- and 48 exists already in a well thought out desk like the 948.

[producerjay]

Originally Posted by imixrecords

well said, not to mention you can barely give the things away. I've got a garage full of psu, channel strips etc that NO ONE WILL BUY.

I can't wait for the next garage sale

[bernardint]

Forget about The SSL
Try the Trident 82 series. I am a big fan

[shortstory]

Get an AWS and an X-Rack with 4-input modules. We did 3-input modules, 4-E dynamics, and a master module. You then have 2 stereo outs from the X-rack to bring back in with effects. The busses work as more sends really when you're mixing. Great for having multiple compressors on vocals or instance.

[elamberth]

I wonder if it would be possible to rig up a speck xtramix (mini 8 bus console) to add extra busses...

[Clueless]

Originally Posted by elamberth

I wonder if it would be possible to rig up a speck xtramix (mini 8 bus console) to add extra busses...

Adding busses is easy. It's getting the busses back down to the stereo or 5.1 mix that's the trick.

Also, don't Duality consoles have a nifty EFX function that affords some of the benefits of a dual inline console?