Tag Archives: console

SSL goes Big for your home studio

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Solid State Logic Launches Next Step In Hybrid Production Tools: BiG SiX SuperAnalogue™ Mixer With USB Interface


Featuring comprehensive AD/DA conversion, advanced monitoring and routing, enhanced SSL EQ and much more, New BiG SiX mixer vastly expands recording and production capabilities for artists, producers and engineersOXFORD ENGLAND December 8, 2021 – Solid State Logic (SSL) launches its latest desktop mixing console, BiG SiX. Based on the widely acclaimed Solid State Logic SiX desktop mixer and incorporating feedback from artists, producers and engineers to create the next step in SSL hybrid production, BiG SiX is a 16 channel studio grade mixing console that combines features and technologies from legendary large-format SSL consoles with full USB integration, additional processing and advanced routing capabilities — all with the quality that audio professionals have come to expect and rely from SSL.



BiG SiX is the ultimate tool for artists and musicians working in a hybrid recording and mixing environment. The console’s SuperAnalogue™ design delivers the punch, clarity, and ultra-low distortion that engineers love from the company’s 9000 consoles, along with a new 16 channel AD/DA USB interface. Also included is an ‘Essential Version’ of the SSL G-Comp Bus Compressor, now with the renowned ‘Auto’ release feature, channel dynamics processing and a three-band EQ based on the iconic SSL 4000E console. Producers and mix engineers will appreciate BiG SiX’s comprehensive monitoring section featuring full source matrix feeding two independent headphone outputs, along with its impressive 18-channel analogue summing at mixdown capability. The result is that BIG SiX is the essential SSL studio. “SiX introduced SSL console-grade processing and workflow to a wider range of users, and BiG SiX, with its enhanced feature set and full USB interface integration takes this a stage further, providing all of the essential tools of a hybrid studio. BiG SiX sets a new benchmark in desktop mixer performance and we can’t wait to see how users enhance their productions with it.” comments Nigel Beaumont, Managing Director of Solid State Logic. BiG SiX is a nimble and capable solution at any point in the production process. In addition to 16 channels of high performance 96 Khz / 24-bit USB conversion which the user can reroute to External Inputs, Stereo Cues and Pre/Post Fader options, BiG SiX also features fully balanced insert points on all SuperAnalogueTM inputs, full size 100 mm SSL console grade faders, Mix Bus Inject for cascading additional SiX and BiG SiX, dual independent headphone outputs and much more. As well as offering four SuperAnalogueTM Mic/Line/Hi-z inputs with polarity switch, the four Stereo Inputs can be individually switched to dual mono, adding further recording flexibility. 

Key features: Four

SuperAnalogueTM ‘Money Channels’ with Mic / Line level input / Hi-Z / phantom power / HPF / Polarity switch / classic SSL Channel Dynamics / updated three-band EQ (based on SSL E Series) / fully balanced insert pointFour stereo inputs featuring dual mono switching and wide gain range Built in 16-channel high quality USB AD/DA converters (96 Khz / 24-bit) with advanced routing capabilitiesThree compressor flavors: Classic SSL channel dynamics, Listen Mic Compressor and Essential version of G-Comp Bus Compressor now featuring ‘Auto’ release100 mm studio grade fadersProfessional LED meters with fast and accurate peak responseTwo independent headphone outputsComprehensive monitoring section Two stereo cue feeds Up to 18 inputs at mixdownMix Bus inject for cascading additional SiX/BiG SiX console.

SSL BiG SiX is available at Solid State Logic’s network of authorized dealers and priced at £1,999, $2,999 and €2,499.00 (excluding VAT).

For more information please visit the BiG SiX product page.  About Solid State Logic
Solid State Logic is the world’s leading manufacturer of analogue and digital audio consoles and provider of creative tools for music, broadcast, live and post production professionals. For more information about our award-winning products, please visit: www.solidstatelogic.com.

New 96khz mixer from Allen & Heath: Avantis

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Allen & Heath Announces
Third Installment in 96kHz Mixer Trilogy: Avantis

Allen & Heath has revealed its new 96kHz digital mixer, Avantis, the third to be based on the company’s XCVI FPGA engine. Avantis puts Allen & Heath’s next-generation technology in a 64 channel/42 configurable bus console, with twin Full HD touchscreens, extensive I/O options and processing from the company’s flagship dLive mixing system.

“Joining dLive and SQ, Avantis completes our trilogy of next-gen 96kHz consoles,” says Rob Clark, Allen & Heath’s Managing Director.  “Avantis takes many of the features that have made SQ and dLive so popular, putting them in a standalone 64-channel mixer that offers a new UI experience, connectivity with our Everything I/O ecosystem, and the dPack option which gives you access to our advanced dLive processing options if and when you need them.

“On top of that,” adds Rob, “we’ve taken a new approach with the industrial design, coming up with a full metal chassis that’s super-strong, lightweight and looks fantastic.”

Encased in its alloy shell and tubular frame, the Avantis control surface is centered on the two Full HD touchscreens and their corresponding rotary controls. “Having two touchscreens isn’t a new concept, but we realized we could use it to unlock exciting new possibilities, which led us to develop Continuity UI,” says Andy Bell, Allen & Heath’s R&D Director.

“Within seconds of getting hands-on with Avantis, engineers are going to appreciate the seamless flow between the physical controls and the on-screen software. You can work gains and pans on the rotaries, then at the touch of a soft key switch to EQ or dynamics across the whole strip. The console also provides a highly configurable FastGrab tab on the right-hand side of each screen, offering another way to quickly and easily access control of aux sends, EQ, compressor and FX on the currently selected channel or spot channel. “Ultimately, with Continuity UI, the engineer decides how they’d like to work, not the mixer.”

While many users will choose to pair Avantis with the 48 in / 16 out GX4816 audio expander, Avantis is part of Allen & Heath’s Everything I/O ecosystem, which means whether you’re an owner/operator looking to build a compact system, or a rental company with existing Allen & Heath stock, Avantis allows true flexibility by connecting to a huge range of audio expander hardware. Avantis is also compatible with Allen & Heath’s range of ME Personal Mixers and IP hardware remote controllers.

For local I/O, Avantis is well equipped with 12 XLR analog inputs, 12 XLR analog outputs, plus AES (Stereo in, 2x Stereo Out). Two additional I/O Ports allow Avantis to benefit from the full range of current dLive option cards, including Dante (64×64 and 128×128), Waves, gigaACE, MADI and more, expanding the scope for system integration, FoH/monitor splits and multitrack recording. Right out of the box, Avantis is loaded with processing tools designed to meet the demands of most users and applications, including compressors, EQs and Allen & Heath’s acclaimed RackExtra FX units (12 slots). Upgrading to dPack expands Avantis further with additional dLive processing including the Dyn8 dynamics engine (up to 16 instances), DEEP Compressors, and the Dual-Stage Valve preamp. dPack purchasers will automatically receive all future DEEP and FX updates free of charge, future-proofing their investment.

“In the gap between SQ and dLive, the mixer market is littered with 48kHz DSP-based ‘old-school’ consoles,” says Nic Beretta, Allen & Heath’s Head of Product. “Avantis brings next-generation performance across the board. Customers in venues, houses of worship, touring and the rental market are going to be seriously impressed by how well this ticks the boxes. It’s a really exciting mixer at a compelling price.”

Full details and spec at allen-heath.com/avantis

Avantis pricing as follows:

Mixer only: USD $9,999 MSRP
dPack add-on: USD $1,399 MAP
GX4816 Remote Expander: USD $3,999 MSRP

END

www.allen-heath.com

New virtual console plug in Brainworx bx_console G released

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Press release:

Brainworx hits home run replicating renowned British console sound with bx_console G plugin

 

“Growing up in the industry on both E and G Series consoles, I was eager to take the new Brainworx bx_console G for a spin. Having used other companies’ emulations of the same console, I am incredibly happy and impressed with Brainworx’s attention to detail — the channel strip compressor finally has the proper ‘snap’ I’ve been missing from the real console, and all the added features are fantastic… another home run!”

– Marc Nelson, GRAMMY®-nominated music producer/mix engineer (Fleetwood Mac, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat), 2017

 

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY: industry-leading pro audio plugins developer Brainworx is proud to announce availability of bx_console G — an accurate channel strip model of the renowned British G Series large-format mixing console, including both ‘Pink’ and ‘Orange’ EQ revisions, and featuring 72 distinct channels that use Brainworx’s TMT (Tolerance Modelling Technology) for the most realistic analog experience in the box — as of September 6…

Hot on the heels of Brainworx’s acclaimed bx_console E — their trailblazing flagship plugin that pairs a 72-channel emulation of the high-end, hit-making British E Series console complete with comprehensive COMPRESS (compressor/limiter), full-featured EXPAND (expander/gate), powerful four-band parametric EQ, and wide-ranging (high pass and low pass) FILTERS, together with incredibly flexible signal routing (just like the original console), and much more besides — comes bx_console G, growing the company’s collection of TMT channel strip plugins.

Powerful yet different, those true-to-life E Series- and G Series-modeling plugins are distinguished by their respective filter sections — both ‘Pink’ and ‘Orange’ revisions — that deliver a totally contrasting character when treating frequencies. The G is largely known for its more mellow character while the E is more aggressive, but both G Series filters feature proportional-Q behaviour, allowing for more precise gain adjustments while leaving the surrounding frequencies intact. The ‘Pink’ revision also allows the HMF and LMF (midrange) bands to be multiplied (x3) and divided (/3) by a factor of three to allow for an extra-wide range of tone-shaping capabilities. The G Series VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) also has a lower THD (Total Harmonic Distortion), making it a cleaner compressor option as well.

When designing bx_console G, Brainworx Owner Dirk Ulrich — an acclaimed producer/engineer in his own right — and his award-winning development team tossed tons of useful extras not found on the original hardware into an already exciting-sounding mix. Mods include: continuously-variable THD control (adds saturation); secondary release time (REL2) compressor control (prevents pumping); dry/wet (MIX) compressor control; mid (Solo M) and side (Solo S) channel monitoring; and virtual noise floor (V GAIN) control.

Channel strip plugins typically only model one channel of a mixer. Applying that same cloned channel across all tracks in a mix — even using different control settings — makes for a flat, narrow, two-dimensional digital sound. But bx_console G avoids this, thanks to TMT taking into account the real-world variation between channels of a hardware console, which lends itself to the complexity and nuance that analog hardware imparts on mixes. Meanwhile, bx_console G’s gorgeous GUI (Graphical User Interface) and acutely low CPU (Central Processing Unit) load lets users instantly recall up to 72 slightly different-sounding channels across all plugin instances on their tracks to create that mixed-on-a-large-format-analog-console sound so sorely missed when working on a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). When working with bx_console G, however, DAW users can use its RANDOM CHANNEL buttons to easily invoke the random nature of this variation on a single instance of bx_console G, and also randomize the channels across every instance in a mix in one simple click.

Could it be that Brainworx has hereby answered the prayers of anyone yearning to mix their projects on a large-format analog console yet does not necessarily possess the necessary means — monetary and/or room — to do so? So much more than just a channel strip model, bx_console G’s potent modern features clearly create a G Series console on steroids! Indeed, it is hyper-realistic analog large-format console sound for your DAW… just ask Marc Nelson!

 

bx_console G is available for purchase — as an AAX Native & DSP-, AU-, VST2-, and VST3-supporting plugin for Mac OS X (10.8 through 10.12), Windows (7 through 10), and Pro Tools 10.3.10 (or higher) — exclusively from Plugin Alliance for an introductory promo price of $179.00 USD until September 30, 2017, rising to $299.00 USD thereafter. (A permanent crossgrade to/from bx_console E for $99.00 USD is also available.)

A fully-functional, 14-day trial is available to anyone registering for a free Plugin Alliance account here: https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/registration.html

Note that the proprietary Plugin Alliance Installation Manager means users can select, download, and install only the products and formats needed for their system.

For more in-depth information, including several superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated bx_console G webpage here: https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/bx_console_g.html

Watch Plugin Alliance’s tantalizing trailer for bx_console G here:  https://youtu.be/te705_OeFqI

Watch Plugin Alliance’s teaser trailer for bx_console G here:  https://youtu.be/wN-Osk_LSrw