SOLID STATE LOGIC SIX 6-Channel Analog Mixer

6-Channel Analog Mixer

SOLID STATE LOGIC SIX is a high-quality 6-channel analog mixer for studio, post-production, live stages, streaming, and podcasting applications. Compact yet comprehensive, it comes with many advanced features, despite an extremely simple and immediate layout.
The prestigious English brand opted for this choice, revolutionary in some ways, after a thorough market analysis in the desktop mixer sector. This research revealed that many mixers exhibit level discrepancies between channels; two faders at 0dB can have a real difference of up to 5dB. The cheaper mixers then fail to adequately balance Left and Right, showing level differences of up to 3dB between channels. Microphone preamps usually oscillate between 45dB and 55dB of gain, are unbalanced, and often have noise and interference problems between channels. Finally, small potentiometers and faders are difficult to handle with precision.
With SiX, Solid State Logic aimed to introduce a qualitatively superior model to the desktop mixer market, featuring the following characteristics. Onboard are two mono channels, equipped with SSL Superanalogue preamps that can offer a more transparent, faster, and wider gain than what would be obtained with any desktop mixer. The preamp has an excursion of a full 66dB of gain! The channels are equipped with phantom power, a 75Hz HPF, and a separate line input that can become a high-impedance instrument input.
Following the channel strip, we find a one-knob compression circuit. This is a new design that features a signal-dependent attack time and a fixed release. SSL chose a fixed ratio of 4:1 as it is the ratio commonly used in larger consoles. This way, the only concern will be to set the threshold value, then only needing to look at the lights that indicate the amount of compression applied.
Both mono channels are equipped with a two-band SSL EQ. The EQs can be individually switched between Shelf and Bell, with a different reference frequency for each type. Curves and frequencies were selected by the SSL team, as they were judged to be the most "musically versatile" for a wide range of sources.
SSL also spent a lot of time studying how to optimize the 100mm fader throw, finding the perfect balance between usability and channel control.
There are also two stereo inputs with -10/+20 trim for line sources such as synthesizers, drum machines, audio interface outputs, and so on. These channels have their own balance control. For example, if only the left input of a stereo channel is wired (leaving the right free), the channel will automatically "switch" to mono and move the panning to the center.
Even though the SOLID STATE LOGIC SIX may seem extremely small, it can handle many inputs for mix-down! The name SiX comes from the two mono and two stereo inputs, but there are also two external stereo inputs with a volume control that can be sent to the mixbus. If we also include the ALT inputs, up to 12 summing channels are available.
Finally, to complete SSL's new design, a G Series Bus Compressor is available on the main output, featuring the same circuit design as the original ones found on major SSL consoles, but with established ratio, attack, and release values and a more modern VCA chip. This simplified control makes it easier to achieve the typical SSL sound on any signal you decide to send to the master bus.
Engineers and musicians, on any mixer, need to be able to hear what's going on. For this purpose, two foldback buses are available for artists - ST CUE 1 and ST CUE 2. Managing monitoring for engineers is very simple as all controls are positioned exactly "within reach." Main monitor, secondary monitor, mono check, dim, and cut can be selected directly from the front panel.
A talkback microphone input with phantom power is also available, obviously with the typical "crunchy sound" of the classic SSL listen mic compressor.
This is what you get when Solid State Logic decides to design a desktop mixer: perfectly balanced, SSL sound, with many routing and processing possibilities. SOLID STATE LOGIC SIX is the opportunity to bring the SSL sound everyone has always wanted into their studio, even a home one.

Specifications

• A compact professional console for use in the studio, post-production, on stages, and for podcasting
• Benchmark SuperAnalogue™ audio performance
• Ultra-low background noise and distortion - clear sound
• Absolute top-tier recording path: two SuperAnalogue preamplifiers from SSL consoles
• Classic SSL Channel Processing: essential version of SSL EQs and dynamics
• Listen Mic Compressor: nothing enhances drums like it!
• Professional routing and monitoring
• 12 summing channels: 12 line inputs with channels and inserts on the Master Bus
• The legendary Master Bus Compressor: an essential version of the historic SSL compressor
• Fully balanced signal path: everything, except the headphone jack, is fully balanced