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For 50 years, Solid State Logic has been pushing the boundaries of large-format console design, setting a standard that generations of engineers have trusted. When SSL introduced Total Recall on the 4000E in 1977, it revolutionized analog mixing, giving engineers the ability to instantly recall fader positions and channel settings.
SSL’s Oracle Series of consoles takes that same pioneering spirit even further, combining the brand’s iconic analog circuitry with groundbreaking new ActiveAnalogue technology for instant, complete recall of every setting. Whether you're tracking a full band or switching between multiple sessions in a single day, Oracle adapts instantly, keeping creativity flowing.
In this buyer’s guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Oracle Series analog mixing consoles, but first, let’s take a look back at SSL’s history of console innovation.
SSL consoles like the 4000E, 6000, 9000J, and ORIGIN have left their mark on countless hit records, shaping the sound of popular music across genres. The Oracle represents the latest chapter in the brand’s legacy, drawing inspiration from decades of classic designs.
With legendary SSL circuits like next-gen PureDrive microphone preamps, switchable E and G Series EQs, and a built-in THE BUS+ compressor, Oracle offers the signature SSL sound in a compact, AWS-size format.
Ready to take a closer look at what’s going on under the hood of the new Oracle Series consoles?
Available in 24- or 48-channel configurations, Oracle is a fully analog, in-line console that combines classic SSL sound with innovative ActiveAnalogue technology for instant recall of every setting.
Each Oracle configuration features 4 stereo main buses, 16 track buses, 10 auxes (stereo/mono), 16 stereo 'Flex' groups, and 5 stereo monitor outputs with bass management. Whether you choose the 24 or 48 channel version, you're getting a console that can handle up to 112 inputs at mixdown.
The in-line architecture provides separate 'record' and 'monitor' paths with independent input gain and output level control, giving you the routing flexibility that made SSL consoles an industry standard in the first place.
At the core of Oracle is SSL’s proprietary ActiveAnalogue technology, a revolutionary new system that gives you complete control over analog circuits without sacrificing sound quality via digital conversion.
That means no recall downtime, no trade-offs, and no need to compromise between flexibility and tone. Instantly recall any setting from gain staging and EQ to routing and panning. With ActiveAnalogue, Oracle offers the best of both worlds: the color and character of analog processing with the flexibility of modern digital workflows.
Oracle's channel strips build on SSL's iconic designs, blending familiar circuits from over the years. At the top of each channel strip sits SSL's next-generation PureDrive microphone preamp, offering up to 75 dB of gain with a variable Drive control that moves seamlessly from transparent SuperAnalogue sound to rich harmonic saturation.
Below the preamp section, you’ll find the iconic "242 Black Knob" E Series EQ—the same four-band parametric equalizer that's shaped countless hit records. With the flip of a switch, you can toggle between the aggressive, constant-Q curves of the E Series or the smoother, variable-Q curves of the G Series. Both modes provide a dedicated high-pass filter, selectable high- and low-frequency shelf/bell curves, and fully parametric mid-frequency bands.
No SSL console would be complete without the brand’s signature bus compressor, and Oracle delivers in a big way. The integrated THE BUS+ builds on the legendary G Series glue, offering four operating modes, including LOW THD, Feedback, and 4K Saturation modes. With added Dynamic EQ, transient shaping, and fully recallable settings, BUS+ adds punch and cohesion to any mix while expanding your creative options.
Oracle’s center section puts total control at your fingertips. High-resolution displays and tactile encoders provide access to every aspect of bus routing, monitoring, foldback, and more. With dedicated Detail Views for each section, you can easily dive deep into your mix architecture while maintaining full visibility of your main output meters.
Below the center section, you’ll find Oracle’s Group Buses. Each console offers 34 mix buses—16 Track Buses, 10 Aux Buses (configurable as mono or stereo), and 4 Stereo Mix Buses.
In addition, 8 Stereo Group Inputs provide insert points, image controls, and direct outs, with MS encode/decode options for advanced stereo processing. Routing flexibility allows channels to feed buses simultaneously for parallel processing or stem creation.
Above the Group Buses, you’ll find Oracle’s monitoring controls. Five dedicated stereo outputs (including a configurable LFE path) provide instant switching between main monitors, alternate references, and immersive sub setups.
Three independent foldback feeds ensure your musicians get the mixes they need, while a surface headphone output keeps you connected to every detail. Plus, with four stereo external source inputs, including a console surface stereo input for instruments or third-party Bluetooth receivers, Oracle can tackle even the most complex sessions with ease.
As for metering, Oracle offers the best of both worlds with versatile high-resolution displays. Choose between classic VU-style meters and SSL’s modern Plasma-style metering. Modeled after the original 4000 series, these high-resolution displays give you detailed channel, routing, and processing status at a glance, with full track name displays and dynamic Detail Views for in-depth parameter access.
Oracle's surface faders can be switched between analog processing and DAW control using the FOCUS key on a bay-by-bay basis. This provides a powerful way to combine analog and DAW control in adjacent bays, giving you the flexibility to use the right tool for each part of your mix.
The console's remote control capability extends to third-party immersive monitoring solutions. When connected to systems like Dolby Atmos renderers, Oracle automatically mutes its analog stereo monitoring and passes surface monitoring control to the immersive system.
The included O-Control application suite extends Oracle’s flexibility even further. Running on macOS or Windows, O-Control lets you manage console configurations, create templates, save and load sessions, and prep mixes offline. From snapshot recall to full project management, O-Control keeps your sessions organized and efficient.
Designed to fit in smaller studios, Oracle's analog processing lives in dedicated 13U rack enclosures, which can be installed in the control room, machine room, or beneath the console itself. Separate racks handle the channel and center section processing, keeping noise levels low while allowing flexible studio integration. Systems can be expanded with additional racks to accommodate larger channel counts.
SSL’s Oracle Series of analog consoles is the culmination of decades of analog console design and innovation. By combining SSL’s signature sound quality and design with cutting-edge ActiveAnalogue recall and DAW integration, Oracle bridges the gap between analog and digital workflows.
Whether you’re tracking a band, mixing complex sessions with dozens of tracks, or simply bouncing between sessions all day long, Oracle ensures your sound stays consistent, your workflow stays fast, and your creativity stays uninterrupted.
Interested in integrating Oracle into your workflow? Stop by our Los Angeles showroom on July 17th or our Nashville showroom on July 31st to demo the new Oracle consoles. Not in town? No problem! Sign up for a virtual console demo today and test out the new Oracle console from anywhere in the world.
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