Solid State Logic SiX 12-Channel Desktop Analog Mixer
To thecasual observer SiX looks like any other compact desktop mixer. Look a littlecloser and like all SSL consoles, SiX reveals a carefully considered featureset that is driven by an obsessive desire for total flexibility, to encompassevery creative eventuality. It may be small but SiX is a classic SSL design. Itcarries the DNA of 40 years of true expertise in creative studio workflow.Listen to SiX and you will experience the impeccable sonic performance that isthe hallmark of every SSL console. It is powerful and intuitive. Inspired andrewarding.
SiX is acondensed professional console for use in the studio, in post-production, onstage, and for podcasting. SiX offers big console sound and an impressive setof utility features in a format that is small enough to stick in a bag a gowherever you need it. SiX is stunning value; it offers two recording channelswith SuperAnalogueTM mic pres, two band EQ, an essential one knob version ofthe classic SSL Channel Compressor, a new two-band Channel EQ, inserts and100mm faders.
There is atwo-knob version of the legendary G-Series Bus Compressor on the main mix busand the unique Listen Mic Compressor on the Talkback. In mixdown mode it is avery capable twelve channel summing system that offers analogue detail, depthand width to your mixes.
TheSuperAnalogue Sound of SSL
SiX is anSSL SuperAnalogue design – it gives you the sonic signature of a large formatSSL console on your desktop or in your backpack. Its signal path is fullybalanced from front to back on everything except the headphone output. Itdelivers pristine, detailed audio with wide dynamic range, ultra-low noise,ultra-low distortion and superb imaging. If you want to know more about thetechnical reasons why SSL mixers sound so good read our Lifting The Veildocument.
Two Recording Channels
SiX has twomono channels with SSL SuperAnalogue Mic’ Pre’s; these are transparent, fastand have a much wider available gain range than you would typically get on acompact desktop mixer – 66dB of gain compared to the more typical mid-40s or50dB found in desktop mixers. They have phantom power, 75Hz high pass filter andan independent line-level input which can be switched to instrument level inputwith high impedance.
Moving downthe channel strip we have a brand-new one knob compressor circuit. This designis based on and has the same sound as the classic SSL feed-forward ChannelCompressor circuit. It has a program-dependent attack time, a fixed releasetime and fixed ratio. Simply adjust the threshold, watch the traffic lightsflash to see how much compression is happening and rely on the circuit toautomatically adjust gain to match input levels. This is a cool-soundingcircuit that makes It’simple to dial in a consistent level and get signalssitting right in the sweet spot.
Both monochannels have a new two-band SSL EQ that may be independently switched betweenshelf and bell curves, with different centre frequencies for each type. Thisapproach draws upon the SSL design legacy of specifying response curves andcentre frequencies for channel EQ that are immediately intuitively pleasing intheir response; these curves and frequencies were selected by our team as themost “musically useful” for a wide range of sources.
SiX has100mm faders. We spent some time working on alternate fader tapers and settledon a law that gave us the most control over the most useable gain range, makingon-stage level control far easier than it would be with a rotary or a 60mmfader as found on other compact mixers.
Each channelhas a fully balanced insert point for integrating other signal processors whichis after the EQ and Compressor circuits, and like all SSLs the insert send isalways active – meaning you can use this as a “dry” record send to your DAW ifrequired.
At thebottom of the mono channels we have an ALTernate input switch which can source2 extra mono channels from a connector on the rear of the console which can beused at mixdown.
