Recording - September 2020 - 16

REVIEW

Solid Stage Logic
SiX Desktop Mixer
Next in the channel strip is a two-band EQ, which has
roots in the classic SSL E series. The frequency choices are
fixed, but change depending on whether it's set to shelf or
bell curve. When set to shelf, the low band is centered at
60 Hz, and the high-band sits at 3.5 kHz. When switched
to bell curve, the frequencies shift to 200 Hz / 5 kHz. Both
are adjustable from -15 dB to +15 dB of gain. I found these
ranges useful for some broad input shaping, but not suitable
for anything surgical or corrective.
The first two channels also offer balanced inserts. This is great
for adding additional hardware processing, and can also be leveraged for more advanced
routing strategies. For example, by way of the db25 connector on the rear panel, the
insert send can be used as a
pre-fade/post-processing direct
channel output to feed an interface for recording. Also,
the insert returns can be used
as additional pre-fader inputs
that feed a separate linelevel signal into the return path
(thus achieving the advertised
twelve channels of analog
summing-otherwise, it's ten).
The two additional fader
channels on the SiX feature
1
/4" stereo inputs with a line
amp gain ranging from 10 to
+20 dB, with a detent at unity gain. There are two additional
stereo EXT inputs available that don't have a fader but can be
individually controlled from INF to +20 dB with a detent at
unity gain. All fader channels have independent level controls
for either stereo cue send, with channels 1-2 also having dedicated pan pots for cue sends. The cues then need to be routed
through a stereo foldback, along with any additional sources,
such as the talk mic or external returns. The fader channels are
also capable of routing through Bus B, or solo in PFL mode.
The last input available on the SiX is the talkback XLR input.
It has a dedicated phantom power switch, and the famed listen
mic compressor circuit. It's iconic for crushing drums with lots
of gritty character. Luckily it can also be routed quite easily
through either of the foldbacks, allowing it to be used as an
additional mic preamp when that coloration is desired.

G-Series Bus Compressor

A G-Series bus compressor is applied across the main mix
bus. It features the latest That Corporation VCAs, with the
16 RECORDING September 2020

same circuit topology as the classic bus compressor found in
the SL4000 G-Series console. The compressor is also slightly
stripped back, featuring just two controls; threshold and makeup gain. At a fixed 4:1 ratio, the threshold ranges from -20dB
to +20dB, while the makeup gain ranges from 0 to +20 dB;
LED meters display the amount of gain reduction being applied.
In use, the G-Series Bus Comp sounds fantastic. The two
knobs make it easy to use, and while manual attack/release
settings would have been a welcomed addition, the simplified
approach makes it easy to find a sweet spot on a range of material. The bus comp is quite colored and sounds a bit mid-forward. It's great for adding some excitement to the drum bus,
or used more conservatively, even an entire mix. It adds that
iconic glue that it's fondly known for, and is a match made in
heaven when using SiX for analog summing purposes.

Final Thoughts

The beauty of this mixer is its flexibility. After using it for
several weeks in various applications, I only found the lack
of an AFL solo mode (after-fader listen) to be a bit of an inconvenience, as well as the exclusion of an AD/DA; perhaps

there will be a larger mixer in the works, given the success of
the SSL 2+ interface. Incorporating the converters from the 2+
and adding additional preamps into a something like a TwelvE
could provide a powerful and fully functional SSL studio without
breaking the bank.

Over and Out

Clean, musical, and punchy sounding, SiX is unmatched by
others in its class. I have the privilege of recording and mixing on an SSL AWS 900+ daily, so its sound is something I'm
extremely familiar with. The preamps in the SiX provide every
bit of clarity and detail that I get when tracking through the full
console, and the signal flow is similar as well. Between the
flexible signal routing, genuine SSL preamps, and bus compression, SiX provides an incredible value. Owning a true SSL has
never been more attainable.
Price: $1499 More from: solidstatelogic.com

http://www.solidstatelogic.com

Recording - September 2020

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