The Ultimate Desktop Mixer
Legendary SSL studio tools redefined and streamlined
To the casual observer SiX looks like any other compact desktop
mixer. Look a little closer and like all SSL consoles, SiX reveals a
carefully considered feature set that is driven by an obsessive desire
for total flexibility, to encompass every creative eventuality. It may
be small but SiX is a classic SSL design. It carries the DNA of 40 years
of true expertise in creative studio workflow. Listen to SiX and you
will experience the impeccable sonic performance that is the hallmark of
every SSL console. It is powerful and intuitive. Inspired and
rewarding.
SiX is a condensed professional console for use in the studio, in
post-production, on stage, and for podcasting. SiX offers big console
sound and an impressive set of utility features in a format that is
small enough to stick in a bag a go wherever you need it. SiX is
stunning value; it offers two recording channels with SuperAnalogueTM
mic pres, two band EQ, an essential one knob version of the classic SSL
Channel Compressor, a new two-band Channel EQ, inserts and 100mm faders.
There is a two-knob version of the legendary G-Series Bus Compressor on
the main mix bus and the unique Listen Mic Compressor on the Talkback.
In mixdown mode it is a very capable twelve channel summing system that
offers analogue detail, depth and width to your mixes.
The SuperAnalogue™ Sound of SSL
SiX is an SSL SuperAnalogue™ design – it gives you the sonic
signature of a large format SSL console on your desktop or in your
backpack. Its signal path is fully balanced from front to back on
everything except the headphone output. It delivers pristine, detailed
audio with wide dynamic range, ultra-low noise, ultra-low distortion and
superb imaging. If you want to know more about the technical reasons
why SSL mixers sound so good read our Lifting The Veil document.
Two Recording Channels
SiX has two mono channels with SSL SuperAnalogue™ Mic’ Pre’s; these
are transparent, fast and have a much wider available gain range than
you would typically get on a compact desktop mixer – 66dB of gain
compared to the more typical mid-40s or 50dB found in desktop mixers.
They have phantom power, 75Hz high pass filter and an independent
line-level input which can be switched to instrument level input with
high impedance.
Moving down the channel strip we have a brand-new one knob compressor
circuit. This design is based on and has the same sound as the classic
SSL feed-forward Channel Compressor circuit. It has a program-dependent
attack time, a fixed release time and fixed ratio. Simply adjust the
threshold, watch the traffic lights flash to see how much compression is
happening and rely on the circuit to automatically adjust gain to match
input levels. This is a cool-sounding circuit that makes it simple to
dial in a consistent level and get signals sitting right in the sweet
spot.
Both mono channels have a new two-band SSL EQ that may be
independently switched between shelf and bell curves, with different
centre frequencies for each type. This approach draws upon the SSL
design legacy of specifying response curves and centre frequencies for
channel EQ that are immediately intuitively pleasing in their response;
these curves and frequencies were selected by our team as the most
“musically useful” for a wide range of sources.
SiX has 100mm faders. We spent some time working on alternate fader
tapers and settled on a law that gave us the most control over the most
useable gain range, making on-stage level control far easier than it
would be with a rotary or a 60mm fader as found on other compact mixers.
Each channel has a fully balanced insert point for integrating other
signal processors which is after the EQ and Compressor circuits, and
like all SSLs the insert send is always active – meaning you can use
this as a “dry” record send to your DAW if required.
At the bottom of the mono channels we have an ALTernate input switch
which can source 2 extra mono channels from a connector on the rear of
the console which can be used at mixdown.
Line Level Heaven
SiX has two stereo input channels with -10/+20 dB trim for line
sources such as synthesisers, drum machines, output from soundcards etc.
These have their own balance controls and 100mm faders. If only the
Left input of a stereo channel is connected (and the right left free)
the channel will automatically switch to mono, panned centre.
While SiX might be small it can handle a lot of inputs at mix-down!
Using the two mono input and the two stereo input channels gives SiX its
name, but we also have two stereo EXTernal inputs (with volume controls
in the master section) which can be sent to the mix bus. Include the
ALT inputs and we have up to 12 channels that can be summed into the
main mix bus.
Master Bus Magic
SiX has a G Series Bus Compressor on the main mix bus. This uses the
same circuit design as the legendary SSL Bus Compressor from our larger
consoles but with a fixed ratio, attack, and release settings and a more
modern quad-VCA chip. The simplified controls make it very easy to get
that SSL glue and snap on whatever you push through your master bus. SiX
also has a set of inserts on the main mix bus that can be used to bring
external processing tools (like SSL Fusion) to your mixdown.
Routing Pro
SiX has a collection of professional routing & monitoring
features taken directly from our large format console heritage. It has
two Stereo Cue buses (with level and pan controls) for individual artist
foldback mixes. The Master Section has main and alternate monitor
outputs with a proper monitor source matrix, as well as mono check, dim
and cut. The fader channels all have proper PFL and a Mute button that
routes the muted signal to a ‘Bus B’. Bus B can be used as a convenient
DAW record send but it can also be routed to the monitor matrix. This
means that the muted signal can be monitored without it feeding the main
mix bus and then switched in to the main mix with the Mute button –
perfect for live webcasting because a remote feed can be monitored
‘offline’ and punched in to the broadcast feed. There is a talkback mic’
input with phantom power and SSL’s unique, crunchy Listen Mic
Compressor, which of course also serves as a unique processing tool that
delivers that classic 1980’s slammed drums sound.
Key Features:
A fully professional condensed console for use in the studio, in post-production, on stage, and for podcasting.
Benchmark SuperAnalogue™ audio performance
Ultra low noise : ultra-low distortion : pristine sound
Stunning Record Path
Two SSL console grade SuperAnalogue mic pre’s
Classic SSL Channel Processing
Essential versions of SSL Channel EQ and Dynamics
The unique Listen Mic Compressor
Nothing slams drums quite like it!
Professional Routing & Monitoring
The hidden versatility of truly professional features
12 Input Summing at Mixdown
12 line level inputs with channel and Master Bus inserts
Legendary Master Bus Compressor
An essential version of the incredible SSL legacy
Completely balanced signal path
Everything except the headphone jack is fully balanced