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Post by levon on Oct 1, 2014 23:56:29 GMT -6
This looks pretty nice, what do you guys think... XL-Desk |
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 2, 2014 0:00:55 GMT -6
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Post by levon on Oct 2, 2014 2:00:23 GMT -6
I was looking for a thread on this but didn't see the API one. Price is high, yes, but you can load in whatever you like, even API stuff, lol
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Post by jcoutu1 on Oct 2, 2014 4:48:00 GMT -6
I was looking for a thread on this but didn't see the API one. Price is high, yes, but you can load in whatever you like, even API stuff, lol I think at $20k unloaded, it's a pretty cool centerpiece for a lot of people. Many people already have some 500 series modules to start loading in and there are a bunch of budget modules out there. Alta Moda, Speck, even the Electras are pretty aggressively priced and would go great in it and you could build up over time. The initial 20k investment is steep, but there are plenty of people out there spending that on their county club membership or snow mobiles for the family. I don't think I'll ever have the opportunity to get something in this league, but I imagine it's a great piece for a lot of people. |
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Post by swurveman on Oct 2, 2014 7:53:54 GMT -6
The most difficult selling hurdle to overcome imo for these consoles is the ability for DAW software to do hardware mono and stereo channel inserts. That was a huge advance. Depending upon how many channels of AD/DA conversion I have, I can load insert as much as I want come mix time with no channel count or buss limitations. The other thing is the doubt surrounding how important console/outboard summing is. I have bought around $60K of gear in the past couple of years and not one dealer has stressed the need for summing. In fact, most have discouraged me from spending my money there instead of other areas.
That being said, it sure would be nice to be able to sit at a console-even with a finite number of channels and busses- and have the EQ's right there to twist away.
In a way, we are spoiled by how many options we have. I'm sure someone who bought this as a centerpiece of their studio could produce great sounding music.
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 2, 2014 8:34:16 GMT -6
Jme of course, but right to it, Once u leave the box, stay out of he box until u dump ur final to 2 track, use hardware inserts, besides latency issues, round tripping generally mehhh, treat ur daw like a multi track tape machine, the less u do to your recorded tracks ITB, the better it will sound, and the positive effects of analog console summing are only a question for those who haven't done it, or have with sub par gear.
this is my view
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Post by jcoutu1 on Oct 2, 2014 8:40:14 GMT -6
Jme of course, but right to it, Once u leave the box, stay out of he box until u dump ur final to 2 track, use hardware inserts, besides latency issues, round tripping generally mehhh, treat ur daw like a multi track tape machine, the less u do to your recorded tracks ITB, the better it will sound, and the positive effects of analog console summing are only a question for those who haven't done it, or have with sub par gear. this is my view I'm of the same ilk here. Use a few plugs in the box, bring everything out to the console and use the hardware, then capture the 2-buss back in. Don't have to worry about the latency and such. This XL would be perfect for that type of workflow. |
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Post by svart on Oct 2, 2014 13:55:35 GMT -6
Jme of course, but right to it, Once u leave the box, stay out of he box until u dump ur final to 2 track, use hardware inserts, besides latency issues, round tripping generally mehhh, treat ur daw like a multi track tape machine, the less u do to your recorded tracks ITB, the better it will sound, and the positive effects of analog console summing are only a question for those who haven't done it, or have with sub par gear. this is my view I'm of the same ilk here. Use a few plugs in the box, bring everything out to the console and use the hardware, then capture the 2-buss back in. Don't have to worry about the latency and such. This XL would be perfect for that type of workflow. I'm the same as you both. I think it's a cool piece, but since I have mostly outboard, I'd want a different mix of options for myself. Maybe if they continue down this line they'll have one where you get an empty shell with automated faders and then you option up certain things. That way I could do all EQ and dynamics and just load it with the preamps I already have. I'm also a 24 channel studio, so it'd have to be 24 channels. However, it seems they are really trying to bring the quality to mid level players. That's awesome. |
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Post by RicFoxx on Oct 2, 2014 14:57:22 GMT -6
Looks really good but I think its a x-desk and x-panda incorporating the balanced inserts right...just add a controller? Over X-mas I bought an X-desk and an x-panda for $3000 brand new but ultimately sold it and ended up choosing the Oram over it.
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Post by Guitar on Oct 2, 2014 20:06:08 GMT -6
I think it looks great. The analog workflow agrees with me--I don't want to pay thousands of dollars for "big mouse" functionality. I also don't mind moving faders by hand during a mix, or resorting to DAW automation. 500 series was a great move, I wouldn't mind filling it my own way. I'm also a proponent of analog summing and tonality. On the other hand, DAW mixing is PERFECT for "that pop sound" or what I would call the Major Lazer sound. You can't get that sound out of the box as far as I know, or at least it would be strange to bother trying. Most of what I do, however, wants to sound analog. I work like a lot of you have said already, hybrid leaning more analog. This looks perfect for that.
I don't know if I'll ever be able to afford one, either, but golly she sure does look nice through the window. I also don't know if I would really even "need" one, it would have to be sort of a luxury purchase, since I can mix just fine now. I'd be chasing that last 2% not related to skill, and probably see more gains from skill or work ethic improvement. I'm also imagining how much outboard I could buy for the same price. Maybe in a few years they'll start coming up used.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,976 
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Post by ericn on Oct 2, 2014 21:57:07 GMT -6
First hats off to SSl for trying to build a sweet mid sized board. It makes me want an AWS, I find it limited and as I said in the box thread I wish it were more scalable, but more and more I think it's biggest competition is the used market. If I were in the market for a $20000-$40000 board I think I would be looking at a Used Delta and a bunch of outboard, I think SSL and I think EQ with filters and that eats up s 500 rack spaces. That's a deal breaker here.
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Post by mrholmes on Oct 5, 2014 17:49:45 GMT -6
First hats off to SSl for trying to build a sweet mid sized board. It makes me want an AWS, I find it limited and as I said in the box thread I wish it were more scalable, but more and more I think it's biggest competition is the used market. If I were in the market for a $20000-$40000 board I think I would be looking at a Used Delta and a bunch of outboard, I think SSL and I think EQ with filters and that eats up s 500 rack spaces. That's a deal breaker here. You can see 4K SSLs at 40 k at e-bay. With most of the newer SSL innovations the idea is great but the price is out of reach, at least for me - the average musician. I am still waiting that they will make one day an affordable one. They could invent it in GB and put the production to China. Something like a minimalistic 4K summing mixer; with daw controlled EQs and line inputs; 6 Auxs - no mic pres. There a plenty of usable 4K EQ plugs in the market. The EQs , just a controller section on each channel, which talks to the daw. In other words a small hybrid mixing console but not expensive like the AWS. 16 ch maximum. Price point 1.6 k in dollars. |
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Post by popmann on Oct 5, 2014 21:30:58 GMT -6
I dont "get" the audience for this. I totally get the Matrix and Nucleus audiences--the Matrix is a wonderful solution for a hybrid mix room with it's digitally routable analog inserts....and the Nucleus is the bee's knees for software mixing/overdub studio with it's enhance MCU emulation, analog cue for it's preamps, small USB audio interface, analog monitor control--price not withstanding, these are two really well designed units. This one? Not so much.
It's not got preamps enough to track a band. But, not auxes enough to mix fully analog. Nor EQ--you can add EQ....or more preamps....can you even route the pres into the EQ's in the 500 rack? Ehh...
I seriously think this is simply for a software guy who wants the SSL name and some analog faders to play with--and/or to have his place LOOK like an old school studio hit with a shrink beam. Or someone who is....you know--one of those 500 series fanboi types who thinks it's neat that it uses them--as if there's a functional difference in a Ghost with 500 bay. Mount it above it if you want. Overhang it. Wherever. You can expand and shrink that as need be. Use normal 19" rack gear, too in the same rack that holds the 500 chassis.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Oct 5, 2014 21:57:51 GMT -6
SSL probably asked their dealers and some customers what do you like and not like on the API 1608? What made you not buy one? The answer was not enough inputs at mix. Ok would you give up some aux sends?
I know the reason for the 8 pres, any console as the center piece has to have pres, plus if this for a first time buyer those 8 VHD pres can get you by at first.
I think it is also aimed at the guy who like me preferred the 8200s to the box !
Yes you can get a used 4k for the price of a loaded XL, but its going to cost a lot more to ship, commission, wire, and run a 4K!
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Post by Guitar on Oct 5, 2014 22:13:56 GMT -6
I find it kind of funny to think about buying the loaded one. For example the Kush Electra EQ which is pretty popular right now is half the price of the SSL EQ. But I guess some people would just want the whole SSL experience.
One really neat feature is the 4 mix busses. You could do that Brauer thing if you wanted to. I don't think you could do that on a lot of other boards. I've never tried it. Brauer claims you can't do it in the box, he claims the latency and delay compensation is screwy and you can only do it on a console.
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Post by Ward on Oct 6, 2014 8:57:33 GMT -6
It makes me want an AWS, I find it limited and as I said in the box thread I wish it were more scalable, SNIP That's what I'm looking for too! Something scalable. If I could start with an AWS924 and add 24 channel sidecars to it to get to 72 inputs over time, I'd be all over it. OR if NEVE could do the same with the Genesys. |
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Post by svart on Oct 6, 2014 9:56:44 GMT -6
I've always been jonesing for an AWS. I keep seeing older AWS900's come up for sale here and there for like 40K.. Which seems like a lot, but it's not for the class of product it is..
Anyone know what all the differences between an AWS900 and a 924 is?
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Post by svart on Oct 6, 2014 10:00:32 GMT -6
I find it kind of funny to think about buying the loaded one. For example the Kush Electra EQ which is pretty popular right now is half the price of the SSL EQ. But I guess some people would just want the whole SSL experience. One really neat feature is the 4 mix busses. You could do that Brauer thing if you wanted to. I don't think you could do that on a lot of other boards. I've never tried it. Brauer claims you can't do it in the box, he claims the latency and delay compensation is screwy and you can only do it on a console. Until you've heard/used a 4k brown/black EQ, it's all just talk about comparing specs.. Afterwards it's no comparison. There's a reason tons of pros still use the consoles over all the fancy gear available to them. Just sayin'.. |
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Post by svart on Oct 6, 2014 10:04:30 GMT -6
Or someone who is....you know--one of those 500 series fanboi types who thinks it's neat that it uses them--as if there's a functional difference in a Ghost with 500 bay. Functional, maybe.. A big maybe. When looking for an affordable console, I tried out a ghost due to so many raving about it.. Better than a mackie 8 bus is all the good I can find to say about it. So I guess you can say that all the routing options are there, but I wouldn't call it functionally equivalent if you mean getting signal from A to B with integrity. |
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Post by Guitar on Oct 6, 2014 11:56:15 GMT -6
I think an important part of the appeal to me is the XL Desk is ANALOG. For some reason, I absolutely hate control surfaces, and watching the Nucleus demonstration video drives this home for me, I hate it. I would never buy that in 1,000,000 years. The XL Desk, I would actually want to own. It's the only desk in the middle SSL range that has capacity for analog EQ, for example, I think also. To me personally, this is a very important distinction from the $25K Matrix2. I think SSL has the digital camp, and the analog camp, covered with these two options. Obviously the top of the line stuff does all of it, but at a drastically higher price, and larger size.
It's true I've never heard an SSL EQ in person, I'd like to.
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