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Post by Guitar on Sept 7, 2016 20:18:45 GMT -6
Very spicy thread. I can only say, good call on the DBX 560A, I am really enjoying mine. Very punchy and characterful. I think you would enjoy that SSL stereo buss compressor as well.
Console, or no console, seems to be the pertinent question to me. It's an expensive propostion.
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Post by sean on Sept 7, 2016 20:25:49 GMT -6
I love a console when tracking but mixing I often do it in the box because I'm sending files back and forth and it's just so much easier in that sense.
I think the XL Desk has some really cool features. I love the 4 mix busses...I like the idea of when mixing it having it set up like a summing but being able to send different elements to different mix busses with different treatments would be awesome. Still a little costly for me, however.
I think Audient makes great stuff as well. There are also some nice older consoles like Neotek's and Tridents and MCI that might require some work but can found cheap. Even D&R and Soundcraft.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Sept 7, 2016 20:29:06 GMT -6
I love a console when tracking but mixing I often do it in the box because I'm sending files back and forth and it's just so much easier in that sense. I think the XL Desk has some really cool features. I love the 4 mix busses...I like the idea of when mixing it having it set up like a summing but being able to send different elements to different mix busses with different treatments would be awesome. Still a little costly for me, however. I think Audient makes great stuff as well. There are also some nice older consoles like Neotek's and Tridents and MCI that might require some work but can found cheap. Even D&R and Soundcraft. How are these 4 mix busses different from any other 8 buss mixer? Am I missing something unique about the SSL?
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Post by javamad on Sept 8, 2016 2:21:16 GMT -6
How are these 4 mix busses different from any other 8 buss mixer? Am I missing something unique about the SSL? From what I am seeing in demo videos etc I think it's the way that you have 4 mix buses A, B, C and D. A is the main mix bus and has the SSL G bus compressor on it. With a simple set of switches you can fold B, C and D back into A before the compressor to get your parallel processing going. You could have 3 different compressors, from the 500 rack for example or external inserts and be sending drums to two of those, guitars and vocals to another, and very quickly get close to a very well processed mix. I think it will be very productive. You can probably do the same with some routing on any desk .. but in the case of the XL its right there in the master section controlled by some handy lozenge switches. (This is me talking myself into buying this thing ) I should add that at mix time I expect to be doing a lot in the box before coming out to the desk. Level automation, corrective EQ, reverbs, etc. But the point made earlier in the thread about recall still being a pain is definitely something I will have to take on board.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Sept 8, 2016 4:39:06 GMT -6
From what I am seeing in demo videos etc I think it's the way that you have 4 mix buses A, B, C and D. A is the main mix bus and has the SSL G bus compressor on it. With a simple set of switches you can fold B, C and D back into A before the compressor to get your parallel processing going. You could have 3 different compressors, from the 500 rack for example or external inserts and be sending drums to two of those, guitars and vocals to another, and very quickly get close to a very well processed mix. I think it will be very productive. You can probably do the same with some routing on any desk .. but in the case of the XL its right there in the master section controlled by some handy lozenge switches. (This is me talking myself into buying this thing ) I should add that at mix time I expect to be doing a lot in the box before coming out to the desk. Level automation, corrective EQ, reverbs, etc. But the point made earlier in the thread about recall still being a pain is definitely something I will have to take on board. So this sounds like any other 8 buss mixer. Generally, mixers have 4 or 8 mono busses, it sounds like this SSL has 4 Stereo, essentially the same thing. On my board (4 buss, not 8 unfortunately), each channel has switches for 1, 2, 3, 4, Stereo (main buss), mono (for subs when live). Generally when I'm working, I have my drums going to 1-2 where they hit a Tonelux TX5C pair and Thermionic Culture Rooster for some attitude. Kick and snare are also assigned to the Stereo buss, allowing them to be processed in parallel, which allows a but of extra transient through. Vocals generally get assigned to 3-4, where they run through a compressor on their way to the stereo buss.
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Post by ChaseUTB on Sept 8, 2016 11:15:40 GMT -6
I would buy used & not pinch pennies worrying about new 500 pieces buying new and settling for less. I also think trying to keep it to one slot 500 pieces will be more flexibile and provide more color choices. Also, 3 slot wide modules are not mentioned if they are powered correctly by the XL desk penthouse power supply. 1 and 2 slot is stated as tested and working. Admittedly, if it were me, I would want different preamps than the SSL on ch. 1-8, it would be cool to purchase this way. I didn't read in the description where it says the SSL pres that come with it have line capability. Also one stereo and two mono aux sends seems limited as well for the money. Seems like a lot of the budget go towards the SSL name like another poster stated. You could really improve your dollar vs performance ratio if you can DIY the 500 modules a la CAPI/ Hairball you would really get even more bang for your buck. Fun decision to have , enjoy your journey VK has a great deal on one right now vintageking.com/ssl-xl-desk-unloaded-demo-deal?gclid=CKqih_-sgM8CFdcRgQodH9cN-w
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Post by javamad on Sept 9, 2016 2:15:32 GMT -6
I would buy used & not pinch pennies worrying about new 500 pieces buying new and settling for less. I also think trying to keep it to one slot 500 pieces will be more flexibile and provide more color choices. Also, 3 slot wide modules are not mentioned if they are powered correctly by the XL desk penthouse power supply. 1 and 2 slot is stated as tested and working. Admittedly, if it were me, I would want different preamps than the SSL on ch. 1-8, it would be cool to purchase this way. I didn't read in the description where it says the SSL pres that come with it have line capability. Also one stereo and two mono aux sends seems limited as well for the money. Seems like a lot of the budget go towards the SSL name like another poster stated. You could really improve your dollar vs performance ratio if you can DIY the 500 modules a la CAPI/ Hairball you would really get even more bang for your buck. Fun decision to have , enjoy your journey VK has a great deal on one right now vintageking.com/ssl-xl-desk-unloaded-demo-deal?gclid=CKqih_-sgM8CFdcRgQodH9cN-wThat's a good deal there at VK. I was just offered a deal from the UK - with 8 SSL EQ modules included at $19,151... so some good deals starting to appear. It's only be around a couple of years so no sign of used desks online yet. After all the good input in this thread, plus some from friends, I am taking a good hard look at the Audient 4816 now. That would leave me with money left over to build a decent enough 500 collection in a couple of lunchboxes ... should I want to go for this desk in the future then I'd already have my 500 modules.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Sept 9, 2016 11:05:12 GMT -6
Audient is a much better choice for the $! Plus you have a desk with EQ on ch from the start so you can figure out what you need rather than what you want!
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