New Mini SSL Mixer *SSL X-Desk*

[TonyBelmont]

I'm not sure if anyone here has seen this or not, but SSL is announcing a new mini console on Wednesday at MusikMesse. This thing seems perfect for the typical hip hop producer/ engineer.






I've got a meeting with SSL shortly... I'll have the full scoop.

So far, the obvious points are:

8 channels with dual line level inputs with inserts, FX sends, pan and 100mm faders on each channel. The master section looks to have some pretty comprehensive monitoring facilities with talkback, iPod input, dim and mute functions, stereo bargraph meters, etc.

[Nahuel]

do you think it will have the inserts of the matrix? like an automatic patchbay with user presets.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by lpuma

do you think it will have the inserts of the matrix? like an automatic patchbay with user presets.

Hmmm.... It has analog inserts on each channel and the stereo buss.

[mdjice]

G Bus comp???
I'll be at the MusikMesse (flying out on Tuesday) u gonna be there Tony?

[Jeezo]

Do you think it will have the ability to control daws like the matrix (switching from analog mixer to digital control)

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by mdjice

G Bus comp???
I'll be at the MusikMesse (flying out on Tuesday) u gonna be there Tony?

I was going to go, but I just got back from Florida, and don't have the energy for an intercontinental flight.

Originally Posted by Jeezo

Do you think it will have the ability to control daws like the matrix (switching from analog mixer to digital control)

I don't believe so... This is all analog from what I understand.

[gorillainthemix]

Thanks Tony!
I was going to start a thread asking what the best mixer for hip-hop/rap producers would be, but you beat me with an answer!!




on the 85.5% serious tip:
very handy piece of gear

[cynic one]

aye! are those EQ knobs i spy? does it have a compressor?

i remember people dogging the matrix because it wasn't "real" mixer so to speak. interested to see the details of this little unit.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by cynic

aye! are those EQ knobs i spy? does it have a compressor?

i remember people dogging the matrix because it wasn't "real" mixer so to speak. interested to see the details of this little unit.

No EQ and no compressor. Those knobs are FX sends, pans, input gain and cue sends.

[elmolemon]

SSL X-Desk + Aurora 8-Channel-EQ =

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by elmolemon

SSL X-Desk + Aurora 8-Channel-EQ =

Hell yeah!

[optikstrange]

If this will enhance my MPC 1000 before goin into my 003 then im buyin.

[cynic one]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

No EQ and no compressor. Those knobs are FX sends, pans, input gain and cue sends.

:(

damn. guess that's asking too much. i already can patch anything to anything in my studio with ease. i don't see much utility in this thing at the price point they're asking.

tony - confirmed they'll have SSL pre's or not? if that's the case then perhaps it's worth the price.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/new-p...sl-x-desk.html

[Tha Wiizard]

It is able to contol DAW software?

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by cynic

:(

damn. guess that's asking too much. i already can patch anything to anything in my studio with ease. i don't see much utility in this thing at the price point they're asking.

tony - confirmed they'll have SSL pre's or not? if that's the case then perhaps it's worth the price.

Confirmed it will have no preamps (which is fine by me). Hip hop producers/ engineers wouldn't need the preamps anyway... they should all have an external preamp to track their vocals. SSL's preamps were never their strength.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Tha Wiizard

It is able to contol DAW software?

Don't know yet... but, I doubt it.



Did I mention you can link these together for more channels?

[cynic one]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Confirmed it will have no preamps (which is fine by me). Hip hop producers wouldn't need the preamps anyway... they should all have an external preamp to track their vocals. SSL's preamps were never their strength.

is it just a summing mixer with faders then? i'm puzzled on why you'd use this thing in a bedroom studio, and why you'd need 8 channels of "SSL" tech to do it.

let's say i have 4 channels of external preamps, one 2 channel compressor, a sherman filter, and a 4 channel fx unit.

how does this improve my workflow?

[jrides]

Mini console? LOL
Meterbridge? Patchbay? Oh wait... nevermind.

I wonder what segment they are trying to apeal to, or rather how they will market it. Interesting design choice. Not sure yet why I would choose this over another product though.

I will keep my ears open.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by cynic

is it just a summing mixer with faders then? i'm puzzled on why you'd use this thing in a bedroom studio, and why you'd need 8 channels of "SSL" tech to do it.

let's say i have 4 channels of external preamps, one 2 channel compressor, a sherman filter, and a 4 channel fx unit.

how does this improve my workflow?

It's not just a summing mixer...

For tracking vocals....? It has cue sends for the vocalist... and inserts on each channel. That way you can add delays, etc with no latency. Plus, you can add compression, etc.

Do you use external effects? It has effects sends and returns... so, you can incorporate them with no latency.

Do you need a good monitor controller? This has all the facilities that a large console would have... including mute, dim, mono button, etc.

Do you track anything? This will allow you to control the levels going to your DAW.

Do you mix? This will allow you to bring stems out of the box and incorporate your analog outboard gear without passing through additional conversion. And, it will eliminate the latency that occurs when doing this.

I could go on and on, on why having a good little mixer like this is beneficial. The reasons are limitless.




Did I mention that you get all of these features AND it has the same Super Analogue circuitry as the Duality, AWS, etc.?

[cynic one]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

It's not just a summing mixer...

For tracking vocals....? It has cue sends for the vocalist... and inserts on each channel. That way you can add delays, etc with no latency.

Do you use external effects? It has effects sends and returns... so, you can incorporate them with no latency.

Do you need a good monitor controller? This has all the facilities that a large console would have... including mute, dim, mono button, etc.

Do you track anything? This will allow you to control the levels going to your DAW.

Do you mix? This will allow you to bring stems out of the box and incorporate your analog outboard gear without passing through additional conversion. And, it will eliminate the latency that occurs when doing this.

I could go on and on, on why having a good little mixer like this is beneficial. The reasons are limitless.




Did I mention that you get all of these features AND it has the same Super Analogue circuitry as the Duality, AWS, etc.?

hrm...yeah i can already do all of that with the combination of a creamware pulsar 2 card and my cheap ass yamaha mg10/2 mixer

probably not a product for me. interesting none the less.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by cynic

hrm...yeah i can already do all of that with the combination of a creamware pulsar 2 card and my cheap ass yamaha mg10/2 mixer

probably not a product for me. interesting none the less.

How can you compare having a little SSL mixer with Super Analogue circuitry to a $99 Yamaha mixer, though...

[cynic one]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

How can you compare having a little SSL mixer with Super Analogue circuitry to a $99 Yamaha mixer, though...

guess i'm not one who's been sold on the whole "external summing" argument just yet. got any reading material for me? *goes off to google "super analogue" circuitry*

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by cynic

guess i'm not one who's been sold on the whole "external summing" argument just yet. got any reading material for me? *goes off to google "super analogue" circuitry*

If you only see this as a summing unit, then you miss the whole point, though.

[slaphappygarry]

Looks great. I guess the price of the thing will determine who it is aimed at though.... I have my doubts but, as with the matrix, i hope they dissolve when we see the full spec and what this is aimed at.

SSL never seem to put out rubbish, everything seems to be carefully calculated and designed to fit a sector of the market perfectly. I hope this has been designed with me in mind...

G

[Nahuel]

cool, but no bult-in "computer" for snapshots?

[cynic one]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

If you only see this as a summing unit, then you miss the whole point, though.

i get you...you mentioned in the other post "no latency" a bunch of times.

i'm guessing the workflow with this thing is to bring your stems outside of the box, mix with your external gear, then record back into the box on a 2 track?

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by cynic

i get you...you mentioned in the other post "no latency" a bunch of times.

i'm guessing the workflow with this thing is to bring your stems outside of the box, mix with your external gear, then record back into the box on a 2 track?

Yes, that's one of the benefits of having something like this during mixing.

[work2do]

Joint is gonna be like $2000 for a upper quality monitor section w/ talkback, dual analog line inputs per channel, balanced inserts per channel and on master, aux sends, direct outs per channel, pans on each channel, etc.

That's alot for only $2k. Dangerous D-Box is $1400 and Avocet- forget it. You not gonna get an onboard computer, automation, and eq & g bus comp and all that for $2k from SSL. Lets be realistic. Will wait to hear before I buy but its moved to top of my new gear list.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by konkaos

Joint is gonna be like $2000 for a upper quality monitor section w/ talkback, dual analog line inputs per channel, balanced inserts per channel and on master, aux sends, direct outs per channel, pans on each channel, etc.

That's alot for only $2k. Dangerous D-Box is $1400 and Avocet- forget it. You not gonna get an onboard computer, automation, and eq & g bus comp and all that for $2k from SSL. Lets be realistic. Will wait to hear before I buy but its moved to top of my new gear list.

Finally someone gets it....

[jrides]

Originally Posted by konkaos

You not gonna get an onboard computer, automation, and eq & g bus comp and all that for $2k from SSL. Lets be realistic.

But...but... but its a mini console though!