Solid State Logic XL-Desk SuperAnalogue Mixer Loaded with 8 E Series EQs

The Solid State Logic XL-Desk is a new take on vintage analog studio consoles, which simplifies workflow and is incredibly easy to use. If you’ve always wanted to use an analog console in a DAW-based studio, but didn’t feel the need for integrated control or level automation, Solid State Logic has built the perfect console for you. The SSL XL-Desk returns consoles to their former non-automated glory of yesteryear, but comes packed some of the best audio features of today.

A MODERN TWIST ON THE CLASSIC ANALOG STUDIO CONSOLE

XL-Desk is in many ways a traditional 24 into 8 analog 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 Busses (A, B, C, D) with buses B, C and D able to be summed into Mix A. The Busses 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.

CHANNEL STRIPS

XL-Desk may be compact but it features all of the classic SSL channel strip features which make our consoles so versatile and accommodate such a wide range of production requirements. XL-Desk has 20 channel strips. The first 16 channel strips are dual input mono, meaning they can be switched between a main input and a DAW return whilst tracking. The Remaining four strips are stereo channels. Channels 1-8 have VHD mic pres. Channels 9-16 are line level but can use the 500 rack for mic inputs if desired. Each mono channel can access a corresponding 500 format module and also has a separate traditional Insert point. The four stereo channels cannot access the 500 rack and do not have Insert points. All of the channels have an additional Direct Output to facilitate printing processed material to your DAW and this can be switched between pre-/post fader. Each channel has a ±20 dB Trim control which can be used in a couple of ways: for VHD channels in can be used to control the output level from the VHD into the channel when using heavy distortion, when used with a 500 rack module it can be used to drive the level into the inserted module. There is a phase invert switch. Beside the Trim control is a tri-color signal indicator LED. The metering on XL Desk can be switched between +24 dBu and +18 dBu Scale to give the following LED settings.

THE MAGIC OF AN SSL CONSOLE

Designed by the team behind Duality and AWS, XL-Desk delivers the kind of stunning audio quality only associated with SuperAnalogue SSL consoles. XL-Desk provides the sought after separation, clarity and punch behind thousands of hit records made on SSL consoles. Everyone agrees that the sonic magic of an SSL console happens at the Mix Bus but one bus is not always enough! Many high-profile mixers use multiple mix buses to create parallels or sub-groups of instruments, helping them to compress and manipulate sounds in unique ways. These 'tricks of the trade' are some of the most effective to help take a mix from 'good' to 'great'.

XL-Desk provides no less than 4 mix buses - A, B, C and D. Mix A is the master bus, from which the final stereo mix is derived. This has its own 100mm fader. Mixes B, C and D each have their own level control and crucially, the ability to sum into Mix A. All 4 Mix Buses have Direct Outputs for DAW printing, separate standard stereo Insert points and have the ability to access slots 9-16 of the in-built 500 format rack.

VHD MIC PRES

XL-Desk features 8 of SSL's patented Variable Harmonic Drive (VHD) microphone preamps, built-in to the first 8 channels of the console. The VHD pre can deliver clean SSL grade recordings but also features the VHD circuit used in our acclaimed Duality console* which can be switched into the signal path. The Variable Harmonic Drive circuit uses a 100% analog signal path to generate rich harmonic distortion. As you increase the input gain, the Variable Harmonic Drive circuit introduces either 2nd or 3rd harmonic distortion or a blend of the two to your source material. At lower gain settings it adds gentle valve-style warmth or a touch of transistor edge. As the gain is increased the more extreme the distortion becomes until at high gain settings it delivers fierce trashy transistor-esque grunge. VHD pre's give the user the ultimate versatility from a studio grade preamp. Whether it's ultra-clean traditional SSL, subtle warming or totally trashy transistor distortion, VHD will change your expectations of what a preamplifier should deliver.

500 SERIES RACK BUILT INTO YOUR SSL CONSOLE

Built into the penthouse of XL-Desk is an 18-slot 500 Series rack. This rack can be loaded with any combination of SSL or third-party 500 format modules, as desired by the user. The in-built 500 rack offers the user the opportunity to add their own favorite sonic flavors to their SSL console, whilst keeping it all within arm's reach. The XL-Desk rack has its own dedicated power supply, separate to the power supply for the rest of the console.

Each of the mono channels of the XL-Desk (1-16) has access to its own corresponding slot in the rack and the channel strips access them via a '500' Insert button. The four Stereo channels cannot access the 500 rack. Slots 17-18 are hard wired to Mix A to accommodate a stereo mix bus compressor and XL-Desk ships with these slots pre-loaded with 500 format module version of the legendary SSL G Series Bus Compressor. The console ships with a new version of this module which features a sidechain HPF. This configuration ships preloaded with 8 SSL E-Series EQs which reproduce the legendary sonic signature of an early 80s classic, the Solid State Logic SL 4000 E console channel strip, which has featured on countless classic recordings from the 1980s to the present.

COMPREHENSIVE MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION

The monitoring system of any professional music environment is one of the most important parts. XL-Desk offers a pristine, SuperAnalogue monitoring section, packed with useful features. There are three sets of stereo monitor connections (Main, Mini 1 and Mini 2) plus a sub connection. These are controlled by a front panel button matrix with individual Level controls. The sub connection has bass management: When the SUB is engaged, the bass management sums left and right signals through a 3rd order low-pass (high cut) filter at 80 Hz and sends the sum out of the Sub monitor output. Also, 2nd order high-pass (low cut) filters are inserted into the selected left and right monitor outputs. The bass management on XL-Desk is intelligent. It will remember if the SUB button is on or off for each speaker set. The Monitor Source can be selected from; Mix A, a separate External rear panel input or the front panel iJack input and a Mono button folds down these monitor sources to mono if desired. A Monitor SUM button allows any combination of these to be summed and monitored. There is a large Monitor Level control and an associated DIM button (with DIM Level control), CUT button and an AFL Level control.

SOLID STATE LOGIC XL-DESK FEATURES:

• SuperAnalogue mixing console with 20+1 fader and over 40 inputs
• 8-built in Variable Harmonic Drive (VHD) preamps
• 16 dual input mono channels (switchable between main input or DAW return)
• 4 stereo channels (switchable to mono for tracking)
• 18-slot 500 Series rack built-in accessible from channels or mix busses (loaded with 8 E Series EQs and double-slot Stereo Bus Compressor with high-pass filter sidechain)
• 4 stereo Mix Buses with their own insert points and access to the 500 rack
• One stereo and 2 mono aux sends, two dedicated stereo return inputs
• Direct outputs on every channel, stereo return and mix bus for stem printing
• Fully-featured monitoring section with bass management
• Foldback A and B with individual talkbacks for headphone mixes
• Built in Listen Mic input + classic compressor circuit, with its own direct output
• AFL and Solo-In-Place solo modes, with Solo Clear and Solo Safe (Protect) modes
• Balanced D-Sub rear panel inputs/outputs & Front panel headphones and iJack sockets
• High quality internal PSU