Monitoring through SSL masterbus module?

Slogun · 15th October 2010

Hi there,

Before I start to tear down my current setup/patching I would like to know if anyone of you here have experience with the SSL X-Rack master bus module as monitor control in a mastering setup?
At the moment I run AES through Rosetta800 to MiniDAC as my monitor chain to my KH O300.
Will I gain or loose quality, or perhaps even equal? If SSL prooves to be equal or better, who's interested in a MiniDAC ;-)

Thanks!

strdsk · 15th October 2010

I have no experience with it, but make sure it's linear enough to monitor through. Otherwise you'll have a false sense of tone that really isn't being striped to your 2 track master.

Surbitone · 16th October 2010

I know what it sounds like, and personally would not want to monitor through it. It can sound awesome for processing a mix with though

. It's pretty linear, and stays flat to somewhere below around 40khz. There is some fairly obvious colouration in the super low-end, and a deviation of maybe +/- 1 to 2db between about 10 & 50hz. I guess that could potentially lead to some dodgy decision making. There is some 2nd & 3rd order harmonics generated and the mix just sounds very slightly different too, in a way I cant really describe with words.

manman · 16th October 2010

Avoid any kind of active processing.

Buy a stepped volume knob- switch for $50

Avoid SSL master module, because it got lots of extra active components, capacitors etcc.. that may smear the whole quality.

Ideal chain is

D/A--->Passive Stepped Knob switch-->Active or passive speakers with amp

Coyoteous · 16th October 2010

Being Super Analogue, I doubt if it has many caps, if any.

I have X-Rack summing and an X-Desk, but go passive for mastering.

Slogun · 16th October 2010

Ok, thanks everyone. Then I will keep my chain as it is until I can afford my plan of upgrading my Apogees to the new Symphony I/O system.
The MiniDAC is a bit too coloured IMO, even though I have learned not to be fooled by it.

Slogun · 19th October 2010

Ok, so I just pushed the send-button on a Symphony I/O order now. Could be here already by Friday.

Now I really hope it works out great as a DAC in my mastering chain as well

15th October 2010	#1
Slogun Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 539 Thread Starter	Monitoring through SSL masterbus module? Hi there, Before I start to tear down my current setup/patching I would like to know if anyone of you here have experience with the SSL X-Rack master bus module as monitor control in a mastering setup? At the moment I run AES through Rosetta800 to MiniDAC as my monitor chain to my KH O300. Will I gain or loose quality, or perhaps even equal? If SSL prooves to be equal or better, who's interested in a MiniDAC ;-) Thanks! __________________ Recording, mixing and mastering at http://www.servantstudio.com

16th October 2010	#4
manman Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2008 Location: NY Posts: 559	Avoid any kind of active processing. Buy a stepped volume knob- switch for $50 Avoid SSL master module, because it got lots of extra active components, capacitors etcc.. that may smear the whole quality. Ideal chain is D/A--->Passive Stepped Knob switch-->Active or passive speakers with amp __________________ FOR SALE: RME800 FIREFACE LAVRY DA MSYNC AD+DA+DA [can split] FINALIZER EXPRESS POWERCORE PCI-E + X5 finalizer HAFLER TRM8 SPEAKERS MONSTER PRO7000 balanced power Verified Member

16th October 2010	#6
Slogun Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 539 Thread Starter	Monitoring through SSL masterbus module? Ok, thanks everyone. Then I will keep my chain as it is until I can afford my plan of upgrading my Apogees to the new Symphony I/O system. The MiniDAC is a bit too coloured IMO, even though I have learned not to be fooled by it.

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15th October 2010	#2
strdsk Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 208	I have no experience with it, but make sure it's linear enough to monitor through. Otherwise you'll have a false sense of tone that really isn't being striped to your 2 track master.

16th October 2010	#3
Surbitone Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2009 Location: in your cellar Posts: 1,733	I know what it sounds like, and personally would not want to monitor through it. It can sound awesome for processing a mix with though . It's pretty linear, and stays flat to somewhere below around 40khz. There is some fairly obvious colouration in the super low-end, and a deviation of maybe +/- 1 to 2db between about 10 & 50hz. I guess that could potentially lead to some dodgy decision making. There is some 2nd & 3rd order harmonics generated and the mix just sounds very slightly different too, in a way I cant really describe with words.

16th October 2010	#5
Coyoteous Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,130	Being Super Analogue, I doubt if it has many caps, if any. I have X-Rack summing and an X-Desk, but go passive for mastering.

19th October 2010	#7
Slogun Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 539 Thread Starter	Ok, so I just pushed the send-button on a Symphony I/O order now. Could be here already by Friday. Now I really hope it works out great as a DAC in my mastering chain as well