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Introduction to SiX In the mid '70s Solid State Logic designed the first A Series Console and Studio Computer. The idea behind the project was to build a system for the company’s studio which was buried deep in the Oxfordshire countryside, in a small village called Stonesfield. SSL’s development of advanced analogue mixing consoles has been continuous since those early days.
Small is beautiful... SiX may be small, but it is very serious. What follows are some of the key elements that make it a professional product for the highest quality audio applications. Fully balanced inputs and outputs All of SiX’s inputs and outputs are fully balanced (with the exception of the Phones output).
About SuperAnalogue SSL’s SuperAnalogue technology is the sum of an applied design philosophy, constant invention, and dedication to optimising every detail of our precision audio products. There are many contributing aspects, including our bespoke circuits, ground-breaking low-noise gain control, servo-coupled amplifier stages, and many more.
Contents Table of Contents Introduction 1 Unpacking 2 Safety Notices 2 Console Overview 3 Heat & Ventilation and Rack Mounting Option Front panel Rear Panel Detailed Description 2 3 4 5 SuperAnalogue Mono Channels 5 SuperAnalogue Pre-Amp input 5 Mic Input (XLR) 5 Channel EQ 6 Channel Compressor 7 Channel Insert 7 Stereo Cue Sends 8 Channel Fader and Pan 8 Stereo channels 9 SuperAnalogue Stereo Input 9 Stereo Cue Sends 9 Channel Fader and Pan Monitor section
Contents Troubleshooting & FAQs Troubleshooting Tips 24 24 Warranty 25 All returns Appendix A - Physical Specification 25 26 Connector Pinouts 26 Mono Channels 26 Stereo Channels 26 Insert Sends/Returns, Alternate Inputs and Auxilliary Outputs 27 DC Power Inlet 27 Appendix B - Performance Specification 28 Audio Performance 28 SuperAnalogue Channel Line Input Amplifier 28 SuperAnalogue Channel Microphone Amplifier Channel Equaliser Channel Compressor SuperAnalogue Ster
Introduction Introduction SiX is a studio grade, SuperAnalogue mixing console that delivers all of the quality and flexibility audio professionals expect from an SSL console, but in a compact package that is designed to be small enough to fit into hand luggage. Its design doesn't compromise on performance because of its size, but delivers a powerful set of professional features in a small 1/2 rack width package.
Introduction Unpacking The unit has been carefully packed and inside the box you will find the following items. ➤➤ SiX ➤➤ SSL Black Book ➤➤ IEC power cord for your country ➤➤ External Power Supply with 5-Pin XLR connector ➤➤ Safety Guide ➤➤ Quickstart Guide ➤➤ Registration card It is always a good idea to save the original box and packaging, just in case you ever need to send the unit in for service.
Console Overview Console Overview This section details the console features of SiX.
Console Overview Rear Panel The rear panel of SiX is shown below. The connectors are identified on a panel that is fitted to the face above the connector panel.
Detailed Description Detailed Description SuperAnalogue Mono Channels There are two SuperAnalogue mono channels on SiX; each channel has identical facilities. This section explains the features found in each. SuperAnalogue Pre-Amp input SiX’s pre-amp is a new wide gain range SuperAnalogue design, developed from the mic pre-amps of the larger SSL Duality and AWS consoles. In these consoles, line and mic inputs are served by separate pre-amps.
Detailed Description Channel EQ The channel EQ on SiX has its roots in SSL’s classic E series EQ. It is a gentle, broad stroke two-band design with high and low shelving filters at 3.5 kHz and 60 Hz, adjustable from +15 dB to -15 dB of gain. Each band can be independently switched between shelving and bell curves using the BELL switch - a feature found on many SSL EQ designs.
Detailed Description Channel Compressor The channel compressor on SiX is a new design, inspired by the sophisticated channel dynamics sections of earlier SSL analogue consoles, but with some clever design features to give powerful and versatile performance from its deceptively simple appearance. The attack time of the compressor is program dependant and varies between approximately 8 ms and 30 ms. This allows the compressor to operate smoothly when working with a wide variety of content.
Detailed Description Stereo Cue Sends Each mono channel can access two Stereo Cue sends with independent Level and Pan controls. The ‘ON’ switch sends the channel signal to the cue bus indicated by a green LED. Both sends are fed from channel pre-fade, post-insert, but can be switched to Post Fader by engaging the corresponding CUE POST switch in the Foldback master section.
Detailed Description Stereo channels There are two stereo channels on SiX - this section describes the features found on each of these stereo channels. SuperAnalogue Stereo Input The inputs to the stereo channels are on ¼” TRS balanced jack connectors. These are labelled 3L, 4R, 5L and 6R for the two pairs of inputs. The inputs have an automatic ‘Mono From Left’ feature, i.e. if only a single jack connector is used in the Left input, then the same signal is fed to the Right input.
Detailed Description Monitor section The monitoring facilities in SiX are very comprehensive given the size of the console. The block diagram below shows the structure of the Main Monitor, Alternate Monitor and Headphone outputs. MAIN and ALT monitor outputs The monitor section has two sets of balanced outputs for loudspeakers labelled MAIN MON and ALT MON (See rear connector layout below). By default, the MAIN MON output is used.
Detailed Description Headphone (Phones) output In addition to the Main and Alt loudspeaker outputs, SiX has a stereo headphone output on a ¼” Stereo Jack, on the upper connector panel above the Power indicator. The headphone level is controlled by the PHONES knob which is above the Monitor Level control. By default, the headphone output follows the Monitor SOURCE selection.
Detailed Description Monitor Source and External Inputs 12 SiX User Guide
Detailed Description Foldback and Stereo Cue Master Section (including Talk Input) The two Stereo Cue buses in SiX feed the Foldback Master section. This section is split vertically with the left column controlling Foldback 1 and the right controlling Foldback 2. The knobs in this section control the master level of the individual Foldback outputs. As can be seen in the block diagram on the next page, they are the last controls before the output (i.e. after the switched sources).
Detailed Description Switching the Stereo Cues from Pre to Post fader By default, both Stereo Cue sends 1 and 2 are sourced pre-fader in the mono and stereo channels. The CUE POST switch at the top of the Foldback Master section allows each CUE send to be sourced post fader (pre balance) to the Stereo Cue mixes. Artist Cue Mixes The Foldback features of SiX are designed to provide a separate artist mix from the engineer’s monitoring and headphone feed using the Mono and Stereo Channel’s Cue Send buses.
Detailed Description Main Meter The twelve Segment LED ‘main’ meter in SiX follows the Monitor Source selector to provide a more versatile output metering solution. The fast response peak meter has specific segments for +24 dBu and +18 dBu as with the channel meters, it also has a +15 dBu segment for other standards as well as 0dBu. The meter has a fast peak response (rise time to 60% Full Scale Deflection approx 1ms @ 1kHz) and a slower release to meter peaks while still showing useful signal levels.
Detailed Description G-Series Bus Compressor The G Series Bus Comp in Six is a stereo compressor applied across the Main Mix bus, using exactly the same circuit topology as the original design found on the SL4000 G-Series console released in 1989 (which in-turn was evolved from the earlier E-Series consoles). The T/HOLD pot adjusts the Threshold for the compressor, with five LEDs indicating the amount of gain reduction applied (-1dB, -3dB, -6dB, -9dB, -15dB).
Application Examples Application Examples Recording A Singer/Songwriter This is a simple application to record a singer songwriter. The mics for the vocal and guitar are connected to the SuperAnalogue XLR microphone inputs then processed with the SSL Channel Compression and EQ. The Cue/Foldback 1 output is connected a headphone amplifier to feed the artist. The Cue feed from the channel is by default Pre Fader, allowing the engineer to make mix adjustments without changing the Artist feed.
Application Examples Recording Drums SiX is easily reconfigured for other recording tasks. Here's a slightly more complex example that explores some of the more advanced routing features of SiX to set-up a classic drum recording technique. Here we have a three mic drum setup; kick, snare and mono overhead. The kick and snare microphones are connected to the SuperAnalogue XLR mic inputs and processed with the SSL channel compression and EQ.
Application Examples Music Production - Writing and Tracking Let's take a look at how SiX might be configured for a writing and tracking session. A guitarist with a pedalboard is connected to channels one and two, processed through the SSL Channel Compression and EQ. To process the other sources using the guitar effects and SSL EQ & Dynamics, an FX loop has been created by connecting Stereo Cue Output 2 to the input of the guitar input switcher.
Application Examples Music Production - Mixdown When tracking is finished, SiX is easily reconfigured for mixdown. In the above diagram twelve channels of SSL analogue summing have been set up. DAW outputs are connected to SiX using Alt inputs, Stereo Line inputs and External inputs. The Alt inputs on channels 1 and 2 are summed straight to the mix bus, bypassing the channel processing.
Application Examples On Stage SiX is your professional, personal on-stage mixer, delivering true sonic excellence. Here we have two artists, each with a microphone connected to SiX’s high quality SuperAnalogue mic pres and their own SSL channel compression and EQ. Artist two has a Stage Piano connected to Stereo input one and a DAW playback system connected to Stereo Input two, as well as a phone/tablet connected to an external input.
Application Examples Post Production SiX is a perfect choice for small professional post-production environments designed for dubbing and voice over. It’s ideal for the audio engineer who needs to mix local and remote playback feeds, with local mic inputs whilst also providing comms and zero latency monitoring for the talent, the operator and a remote producer. SiX offers deceptively powerful connectivity and routing that sets it apart from other desktop mixers.
Application Examples Podcasting SiX is a powerful choice for professional online content creation. It’s ideal for vloggers, producers and podcasters who need to achieve high fidelity audio recordings quickly and intuitively.
Troubleshooting & FAQs Troubleshooting & FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and additional support contacts can be found on the Solid State Logic Website at: https://www.solidstatelogic.com/support/six Troubleshooting Tips My SiX is warm to the touch SiX’s SuperAnalogue audio circuits are designed to run warm and SiX contains a lot of electronics in a small space.
Troubleshooting & FAQs Warranty Warranty claims will only be accepted if the purchased product has been used for its intended purpose. Any purchased product used for an unintended purpose will not be eligible for warranty protection. For all warranty inquiries or claims please address your claim to the dealer that you purchased the product from or to Solid State Logic if the purchase was directly from Solid State Logic.
Appendix A Appendix A - Physical Specification Front to Back Depth 310 mm / 12.2 inches Height (from table top inc. feet) 120 mm / 4.7 inches Width 218 mm / 8.6 inches (Excluding Trim) Power 38 Watts Unboxed Weight 3.5 kg / 7.7 lbs Boxed Size Depth x Height x Width Boxed Weight 6.0 kg / 13.3 lbs 270 mm / 10.6 inches (Including Trim) 325 mm x 155 mm x 360 mm (12.8" x 6.1" x 14.2") Note: All physical specification values are approximate.
Appendix A Main Bus Outputs Bus B Outputs 3-pin XLR Male 1/4" TRS Jack Socket Description Pin 1 0V Chassis Tip Signal +ve (Hot) 2 Signal +ve (Hot) Ring Signal -ve (Cold) 3 Signal -ve (Cold) Sleeve Pin Description 0V Chassis Alternate Monitor Outputs Main Monitor Outputs 1/4" TRS Jack Socket 1/4" TRS Jack Socket Description Pin Tip Signal +ve (Hot) Tip Signal +ve (Hot) Ring Signal -ve (Cold) Ring Signal -ve (Cold) Pin Sleeve Sleeve 0V Chassis Description 0V Chassis In
Appendix B Appendix B - Performance Specification Audio Performance Default test conditions (unless otherwise stated): -- Source impedance of Test Set: 40 Ω -- Reference frequency: 1 kHz ------- Input impedance of Test Set: 200 kΩ Reference level: 0 dBu where 0 dBu = 0.
Appendix B Channel Equaliser Signal applied to line input and measured at the channel insert send. EQ switched in with EQ controls centred in shelf mode. Measurement Conditions Output Headroom THD+Noise Value >+27dBu at onset of clipping +20dBu @ 1kHz (filter 22Hz to 22kHz) Noise < 0.0015% <-88dBu Channel Compressor Signal applied to line Input and measured at the channel insert send. Compressor switched into channel path with the compressor’s threshold set to +10dB.
Appendix B Overall Channel Signal Chain Specifications Signal applied to Line Input of a mono channel, and routed to specified output by shortest path. All controls set flat, out or at unity gain as appropriate. Pan set to full left or right. Measurement Conditions Value Foldback, B-Bus & Main Output Output Headroom into 600Ω at onset of clipping >24dBu THD+Noise +20dBu @ 1kHz (filter 22Hz to 22kHz) < 0.0015% Frequency Response 20Hz to 20kHz +0.1/-0.
Appendix C Appendix C - SiX Block Diagram SiX User Guide 31
Appendix D Appendix D - Recall Sheet 32 SiX User Guide
Notes Notes SiX User Guide 33
Notes Notes 34 SiX User Guide
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