Solid State Logic XL-Desk - Fully Loaded
UPC/EAN #878076001753
MPN #729732X2
XL-Desk is a modern twist on the classic analogue studio console. It's designed for engineers who require an analogue console within a DAW centric studio. Fully loaded
XL-Desk is in many ways a traditional 24 into 8 analogue console but it packs in an incredible collection of features. It has 20 channel strips: 16 dual input mono (switchable between main input or DAW return) and 4 stereo channels. The first eight channels have VHD mic pre's. There is an 18 slot 500 format rack built in that can be used for processing or mic pre's. XL-Desk ships with a legendary SSL Stereo Bus Compressor module in slots 17 & 18 (hard wired to Mix A). The rack has its own dedicated high spec' power supply. There are four main Mix Buses (A, B, C, D) with buses B, C and D able to be summed into Mix A. The Buses and channels can access the 500 rack and each have a separate insert point for processing. There are two mono aux sends and two stereo return inputs. Direct outputs on every channel, stereo return and mix bus enable convenient stem printing. Each channel has a Cue Stereo Bus section (with Pan and Volume) used to provide one of the headphone mixes while tracking. At mixdown the mono channel DAW return signals can be routed to the CUE ST bus and then summed into Mix A, so there are 16 main faders + 16 Cue ST inputs + 4 Stereo channels providing 40 summing inputs (using the stereo returns and insert Sum functions you can squeeze in over 50 summing inputs). There is also a fully-featured monitoring section with bass management (3 sets of speakers + subwoofer), Foldback A and B with individual talkbacks for headphone mixes and a built in Listen Mic input + classic compressor circuit, with its own direct output.
Features
20 + 1 fader, over 40 input SuperAnalogueTM SSL console8-built in Variable Harmonic Drive (VHD) preamps16 dual input mono channels (switchable between main input or DAW return)4 stereo channels (switchable to mono for tracking)The legendary Stereo Bus Compressor, with new high-pass filter sidechain18-slot 500 format rack built-in, accessible from channels or mix bussesIn addition to a 500 rack insert each mono channel also has a standard insert point4 stereo Mix Buses with their own insert points and access to the 500 rackOne stereo and 2 mono aux sends. Two dedicated stereo return inputsDirect outputs on every channel, stereo return and mix bus for stem printingFully-featured monitoring section with bass managementFoldback A and B with individual talkbacks for headphone mixesBuilt in Listen Mic input + classic compressor circuit, with its own direct outputAFL and Solo-In-Place solo modes, with Solo Clear and Solo Safe (Protect) modesBalanced D-Sub rear panel inputs/outputs & Front panel headphones & iJack socketsHigh quality internal PSU
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5.0
Daryl Sarnat
Barrie, ON
June 3, 2021
The Hype is Real
I was expecting better-sounding mixes. I was expecting a better workflow. I was expecting increased fun with mixing...My expectations were apparently very very low...SSL surpassed them by miles.
I had a client that had approved 5 mixes and was very happy with them...
Read moregot the SSL and mixed 2 more songs off his album in less time than any of the previous mixes... The client heard them and immediately asked if we could go back and re-mix the other 5 previous songs on the SSL. The sound difference is unreal (even though we were already a hybrid studio with high-end outboard gear and tons of SSL plugins - including the ones by SSL themselves).
The only negative is I was disappointed with the manual. It is petty and small but when one buys an expensive console one expects more than a few sheets basically photocopied.
The way the console is designed is well thought out. I use the last eight 500 racks all the time onto the ABCD busses. (I bought the half-loaded SSL and filled the other slots with 500 series I already owned).
Simply put I cannot imagine ever going back to mixing without it. The price is hefty but is actually well worth it and it should last a very very long time. I obviously researched extensively the other consoles in this price range before buying - and after a couple months of use I am definitely very happy I went with the XL Desk.
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