The Solid State Logic SiX is a fully professional desktop mixer you can use in the studio, in post production, and for podcasting. At first glance, SiX may look like other compact mixers, but a closer look will reveal its SSL large-format console lineage, with a flexible, intuitive feature set designed to accommodate any creative workflow. Take a listen, and you’ll hear the SSL pedigree: impeccable sonic performance that carries the DNA of over four decades of legendary SSL consoles!

Solid State Logic SiX at a Glance:

• Benchmark SuperAnalogue™ audio performance
• Ultra low noise : ultra-low distortion
• Stunning Record Path
• Two SSL console grade SuperAnalogue mic pre’s
• Classic SSL Channel Processing
• Essential versions of SSL Channel EQ and Dynamics
• The unique Listen Mic Compressor
• Nothing slams drums quite like it!
• Professional Routing & Monitoring
• 12 Input Summing at Mixdown
• 12 line level inputs with channel and Master Bus inserts

Two mono channels with SuperAnalogue mic pres and SSL compression

SiX’s first two mono channels make a superb front end for recording. Each includes a transparent SuperAnalogue mic preamp with +72dB of gain (enough to handle your passive ribbon mics), phantom power, a 75Hz highpass filter, a separate line-level input that can be switched to instrument level, and a newly designed SSL compressor with program-dependent attack time, fixed ratio and release time, and automatic makeup gain. At Music Experience, we’ve found that this compressor design makes it easy to achieve great-sounding results very quickly.

… plus EQ, insert points, and full-size faders

A new 2-band SSL equalizer design also makes its debut on channels 1 and 2, switchable between shelf and bell curves, with unique center frequencies for each type. There is also a balanced insert point for integration with outboard signal processing, and in the SSL tradition, the insert send is always active, so it can be used as a record send to your DAW. SiX features full-size 100mm faders with tapers that give you maximum control over the most usable gain range for both studio and live sound applications.

Twelve line inputs during mixdown

Channels 3 and 4 are stereo, with trim and pan controls and 100mm faders. SiX gets its moniker from its two mono and two stereo channels, but it also features two stereo EXTernal inputs (with level controls) that can be sent to the mix bus. It all adds up to 12 inputs that can be summed to the main mix bus during mixdown.

The coveted G Series Bus Compressor

Worth the price of admission on its own, the mighty G Series Master Bus Compressor is available across SiX’s main outputs. This is the classic SSL console circuit only with fixed ratio, attack, and release settings as well as an updated, state-of-the-art quad-VCA chip. The streamlined controls make it easy to enhance the sound of your mixes — or whatever it is you’re pushing through the master bus — with that legendary SSL punch and glue.

Flexible routing and monitoring

Given its diminutive size, you may be surprised to learn that SiX is equipped with two cue buses for artist mixes. The console’s master section has main and alternate monitor outputs with a proper monitor source matrix, as well as mono check, dim, and cut. There’s also a talkback mic input with phantom power and SSL’s classic Listen Mic Compressor (LMC).

Outstanding sound, feature set, and value

SiX sounds like an SSL — and from that vantage point, it’s a tremendous value when you consider what it (and its G Series Bus Compressor) can do for the sound of your program material. Second, derived from SSL’s large-format studio consoles, SiX’s professional feature set is like nothing we’ve seen thus far in a compact mixer. Who ever heard of a desktop mixer with SuperAnalogue mic pres, full-size faders, two cue sends, a monitor source matrix, 12 line inputs during mixdown, and a G Series Bus Compressor? Lastly, an invaluable intangible benefit: if you have clients or artists coming into your studio, appearances matter. When they see the SSL marque, they’ll know they’re in a professional studio with serious equipment. The name commands instant respect. Case closed.

Solid State Logic: behind the legend

Established in 1969 by Colin Sanders, Solid State Logic initially manufactured FET switching systems for pipe organs. Sanders also owned a recording studio, for which he designed and built a console. More console designs followed, and by 1979, SSL found commercial success with the SL 4000 E Series desk, which would go on to transform the recording industry with its sonic quality and Total Recall automation. Descendants of the 4000 E — the SL 4000 G Series, 6000, 8000, 9000J, and 9000K — would dominate the professional music recording studio industry for two decades. In the mid-1980s, SSL’s 5000 Series film consoles replaced decades-old Quad-Eight boards on many Hollywood re-recording stages, introducing the film and television industry to console automation and a new level of audio fidelity. Today, SSL is still an innovator, carrying on their legacy with a range of gear designed for the modern hybrid studio.

What Solid State Logic Says...

To the casual observer SiX looks like any other compact desktop mixer. Look a little closer and like all SSL consoles, SiX reveals a carefully considered feature set that is driven by an obsessive desire for total flexibility, to encompass every creative eventuality. It may be small but SiX is a classic SSL design. It carries the DNA of 40 years of true expertise in creative studio workflow. Listen to SiX and you will experience the impeccable sonic performance that is the hallmark of every SSL console. It is powerful and intuitive. Inspired and rewarding.

Legendary SSL studio tools redefined and streamlined

SiX is a condensed professional console for use in the studio, in post-production, on stage, and for podcasting. SiX offers big console sound and an impressive set of utility features in a format that is small enough to stick in a bag a go wherever you need it. SiX is stunning value; it offers two recording channels with SuperAnalogueTM mic pres, two band EQ, an essential one knob version of the classic SSL Channel Compressor, a new two-band Channel EQ, inserts and 100mm faders. There is a two-knob version of the legendary G-Series Bus Compressor on the main mix bus and the unique Listen Mic Compressor on the Talkback. In mixdown mode it is a very capable twelve channel summing system that offers analogue detail, depth and width to your mixes.

The SuperAnalogue™ Sound of SSL

SiX is an SSL SuperAnalogue™ design – it gives you the sonic signature of a large format SSL console on your desktop or in your backpack. Its signal path is fully balanced from front to back on everything except the headphone output. It delivers pristine, detailed audio with wide dynamic range, ultra-low noise, ultra-low distortion and superb imaging. If you want to know more about the technical reasons why SSL mixers sound so good read our Lifting The Veil document.

The sound of SSL 

SiX is an SSL SuperAnalogue™ design – it gives you the sonic signature of a large format SSL console on your desktop or in your backpack. Its signal path is fully balanced from front to back on everything except the headphone output.

Channel Processing 

In addition to Mic Pre’s, SiX’s SuperAnalogue Recording channels feature classic SSL feed-forward Channel Compressor circuit and two band SSL EQ with shelf and bell curves.

Channel Processing

In addition to Mic PreTwo Recording Channels SiX has two mono SuperAnalogue™ Mic’ Pre’s taken from large-format duality and AWS consoles, offering phantom power, 75Hz HPF and independant line-level inputs.s, SiX’s SuperAnalogue Recording channels feature classic SSL feed-forward Channel Compressor circuit and two band SSL EQ with shelf and bell curves.

Mix Bus Magic SiX has a G

Series Bus Compressor on the main mix bus. This uses the same circuit design as the legendary SSL Bus Compressor from our larger consoles but with a fixed ratio, attack, and release settings and a more modern quad-VCA chip. Easy to get that SSL glue and punch on your master bus.

Two Recording Channels

SiX has two mono channels with SSL SuperAnalogue™ Mic’ Pre’s; these are transparent, fast and have a much wider available gain range than you would typically get on a compact desktop mixer – 66dB of gain compared to the more typical mid-40s or 50dB found in desktop mixers. They have phantom power, 75Hz high pass filter and an independent line-level input which can be switched to instrument level input with high impedance. Moving down the channel strip we have a brand-new one knob compressor circuit. This design is based on and has the same sound as the classic SSL feed-forward Channel Compressor circuit. It has a program-dependent attack time, a fixed release time and fixed ratio. Simply adjust the threshold, watch the traffic lights flash to see how much compression is happening and rely on the circuit to automatically adjust gain to match input levels. This is a cool-sounding circuit that makes it simple to dial in a consistent level and get signals sitting right in the sweet spot. Both mono channels have a new two-band SSL EQ that may be independently switched between shelf and bell curves, with different centre frequencies for each type. This approach draws upon the SSL design legacy of specifying response curves and centre frequencies for channel EQ that are immediately intuitively pleasing in their response; these curves and frequencies were selected by our team as the most “musically useful” for a wide range of sources. SiX has 100mm faders. We spent some time working on alternate fader tapers and settled on a law that gave us the most control over the most useable gain range, making on-stage level control far easier than it would be with a rotary or a 60mm fader as found on other compact mixers. Each channel has a fully balanced insert point for integrating other signal processors which is after the EQ and Compressor circuits, and like all SSLs the insert send is always active – meaning you can use this as a “dry” record send to your DAW if required. At the bottom of the mono channels we have an ALTernate input switch which can source 2 extra mono channels from a connector on the rear of the console which can be used at mixdown.

Line Level Heaven

SiX has two stereo input channels with -10/+20 dB trim for line sources such as synthesisers, drum machines, output from soundcards etc. These have their own balance controls and 100mm faders. If only the Left input of a stereo channel is connected (and the right left free) the channel will automatically switch to mono, panned centre. While SiX might be small it can handle a lot of inputs at mix-down! Using the two mono input and the two stereo input channels gives SiX its name, but we also have two stereo EXTernal inputs (with volume controls in the master section) which can be sent to the mix bus. Include the ALT inputs and we have up to 12 channels that can be summed into the main mix bus.

Master Bus Magic

SiX has a G Series Bus Compressor on the main mix bus. This uses the same circuit design as the legendary SSL Bus Compressor from our larger consoles but with a fixed ratio, attack, and release settings and a more modern quad-VCA chip. The simplified controls make it very easy to get that SSL glue and snap on whatever you push through your master bus. SiX also has a set of inserts on the main mix bus that can be used to bring external processing tools (like SSL Fusion) to your mixdown.

Routing Pro