SSL Big SiX: 12-channel analog dream desk for hybrid studios
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The rumors were true: SSL has officially announced the Big SiX. With the same hybrid concept as the original SiX, but more channels and more tweakability, the Big SiX sounds like a dream come true for any modern hybrid production workflow.
SSL Big SiX
After a couple of leaks and speculations over the past weeks, it wasn’t really a secret anymore that SSL was working on a souped-up version of the successful SiX. Today, the manufacturer has revealed the full details of the Big SiX, and the specs are mouth-watering indeed.
SSL Big SiX · Source: SSL
The Big SiX offers twelve fully balanced input channels in total, divided up into four mono channels and four stereo channels. The mono channels are equipped with SSL’s “SuperAnalogue” microphone preamps, phantom power, a high pass filter at 75 Hz and balanced inserts. Each of these channels comes with a 3-band EQ, whose high and low bands can be switched between bell and shelf characteristics. That’s a clear improvement over the SiX’s 2-band EQs. Each mono channel also offers a one-knob SSL compressor.
The stereo channels feature Hi-Z switches and also offer 3-band EQs, albeit without the shelving option. Each input channel also sports a 100 mm fader and an LED level meter.
Rear connectors · Source: SSL
Integrated USB-C audio interface
Like the SiX, the Big SiX is designed as an analog frontend for hybrid DAW studios. As such, it includes a USB-C audio interface with 16 channels of AD/DA conversion. During mixdown, this allows for 18-channel stereo summing. Strapped across the mix bus is another balanced insert and a simplified SSL Bus Compressor. There’s also a Mix Bus inject input for cascading several SiX and/or Big SiX mixers.
Other features include two stereo cue sends and a monitoring section with a talkback input. Through the mixer’s versatile routing, the famous Listen Mic Compressor can be used for creative compression effects. The two headphone outputs can be assigned to the two cue busses individually.
If you’re running a small hybrid studio but don’t want to compromise on analog mixing and summing, the new Big SiX looks like a dream come true. It’s certainly no bargain, but it’s a far cry from the kind of money you’d have to drop on any larger-format SSL console.
SSL Big SiX · Source: SSL
Price and availability
According to the manufacturer, the Big SiX should begin shipping in about eight weeks. You can pre-order yours at Thomann* for €2999.
More information about the SSL Big SiX
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