Solid State Logic SiX Ultimate Desktop Mixer

Get Powerful Big SSL Console Sound And Features For Your Desktop With The Solid State Logic SiX Ultimate Desktop Mixer

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 SuperAnalogue 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.

Two Recording Channels

SiX has two mono channels with SSL SuperAnalogue Mic's; these are transparent, fast and have a much wider available gain range than you would typically get on a compact desktop mixer 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.

SiX has two stereo input channels with -10/+20 dB trim for line sources such as synthesizers, drum machines, output from sound-cards 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 and monitoring features taken directly from our large format console heritage. It has two Stereo Cue buses (with level and pan controls) for individual artist fold-back 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.

Audio Excellence

• Two SuperAnalogue wide gain range mic pres for pristine recording quality
• Two wide gain range stereo line inputs
• Individually switchable phantom power on each Mic Input
• Line level input with true HiZ (1 M ohms) impedance switch for passive coil inputs (e.g. guitar pickups)
• Two recording channels with fully balanced inserts, simple SSL EQ and Dynamics and true bypass processing switching
• Fast, accurate peak response LED meters

Mixing Versatility

• 12 channel stereo summing - probably more studio grade analogue summing per square inch than any other console
• Main bus with fully balanced insert
• Simplified SSL Bus Compressor
• 100 mm studio grade long throw faders - unique in this form factor

Application Flexibility

• A 'proper' foldback section with two stereo send/cue buses with talkback, local monitoring plus two stereo cue feeds
• Versatile B-Bus/Mute switching provides record and mix buses for simple overdubs
• Useful, flexible signal routing and summing
• Versatile 'summing' monitor section with two external source selectors
• 'Listen mic compressor' with flexible routing for studio talkback or more creative applications

SPECIFICATIONS

Physical

• Dimensions (D x H x W): 12.2 x 4.7 x 10.6 inch / 310 x 120 x 270 mm
• Shipping Dimensions (D x H x W): 12.8 x 6.1 x 14.2 inch / 325 x 155 x 360 mm
• Weight: 7.7 lb / 3.5 kg
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 lb / 6.0 kg
• Power: 38 Watts

Audio Performance

• SuperAnalogue Channel Microphone Amplifier
• Gain: Variable from +6dB to +72dB dependent on potentiometer tolerances
• Input Impedance: 1.2kΩ
• Max Input Level (1% THD): 21 dBu
• Output Headroom: greater than +27dBu at onset of clipping
• Frequency Response (20Hz to 20kHz, -3dB high rolloff): greater than 100kHz, +0.1/-0.3dB
• THD+Noise (-20dBu applied, +30dB gain) @ 1kHz (filter 22Hz to 22kHz): less than 0.0015%
• CMRR (-10dBu applied, +30dB gain): greater than 80dB
• Equivalent Input Noise (EIN), 150Ω termination, maximum gain: less than -127.5dBu, typically -129dBu
• SuperAnalogue Channel Line Input Amplifier
• Gain: Variable from -3dB to +63dB dependent on potentiometer tolerances
• Input Impedance: 10kΩ
• Hi-Z Input Impedance: 1MΩ
• Max Input Level (1% THD): greater than +27dBu before clipping
• Output Headroom: greater than +27dBu at onset of clipping
• Frequency Response (20Hz to 20kHz, -3dB high rolloff): greater than 100kHz, +0.1/-0.3dB
• THD+Noise (-20dBu applied, +30dB gain) @ 1kHz (filter 22Hz to 22kHz): less than 0.0015%
• CMRR: greater than 70dB
• Equivalent Input Noise (EIN), 150Ω termination, maximum gain: less than -110dBu
• Channel Equalizer
• Output Headroom: greater than +27dBu at onset of clipping
• THD+Noise +20dBu, @ 1kHz (filter 22Hz to 22kHz): less than 0.0015%
• Noise: less than -88dBu
• Channel Compressor
• Ratio (slope): 2:1
• Threshold: +10 to -20 dB (typical)
• Attack Time: 8ms to 30ms
• Release Time: 300ms
• Output Headroom: greater than +26dBu at onset of clipping
• THD+Noise +10dBu, @ 1kHz (filter 22Hz to 22kHz): less than 0.03%
• THD+Noise +20dBu, @ 1kHz (filter 22Hz to 22kHz) Threshold @-20: less than 0.5% (typical)
• Frequency Response (20Hz to 20kHz): +0.9/-0.9dB
• Noise: less than -90dBu
• SuperAnalogue Stereo Channel Line Input Amplifier
• Gain: Variable from -10dB to +20dB
• Input Impedance: 10kΩ
• Max Input Level (1% THD): greater than +31dBu before clipping
• Output Headroom: greater than +27dBu at onset of clipping
• Frequency Response (20Hz to 20kHz, -3dB high rolloff): greater than 100kHz, +0.1/-0.3dB
• THD+Noise (-20dBu applied, +30dB gain) @ 1kHz (filter 22Hz to 22kHz): les than 0.0007%
• CMRR: greater than 50dB
• Equivalent Input Noise (EIN), 150Ω termination, maximum gain: less than -93dBu
• Overall Channel Signal Chain Specifications
• Foldback, B-Bus and Main Output
• Output Headroom into 600Ω at onset of clipping: greater than 24dBu
• Output Headroom into 10kΩ at onset of clipping: greater than 27.5dBu
• THD+Noise +20dBu, @ 1kHz (filter 22Hz to 22kHz): less than 0.0015%
• Frequency Response (20Hz to 20kHz, -3dB high rolloff): greater than 100kHz, +0.1/-0.3dB
• Output Impedance: 100Ω
• Pot center detent accuracy: +/-1dB, typically less than 0.5dB
• Overall Console Noise (at Main Output)
• 1 mono channel routed (all other muted): less than -90dBu (less than –116dB with respect to +26dBu)
• All channels routed: less than –85dBu (less than –111dB with respect to +26dBu)

Environmental Requirements

• Temperature Range
• Operating: +1 to 30 degrees Celsius
• Storage: -20 to 50 degrees Celsius

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