SSL BiG SiX Mixer and USB Audio Interface: The Big Review
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- Опубликовано: 28 июл 2024
- Join me for a massive dive into the BiG SiX. In this video, I describe exactly how I use it to mix various Eurorack and synth sources for recording directly to tape. Then I go through some scenarios of using it as an audio interface to my computer and work back to a combined, hybrid workflow of analogue mixing, digital processing, recording and remixing. It's long, there's a lot to cover, and I wanted to show all my workings. See below for quick links to the parts that might interest you, or maybe watch it in sections over a few sessions.
The BiG SiX is a high-spec desktop mixer and audio interface that combines some of the best analogue mixing circuitry around with smooth USB multi-tracking. SSL sent it to me to see if it would help improve the sound and workflow of my relatively modest synthesizer studio. We shall see.
Buy a BiG SiX:
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Index
Intro - 0:00
The Overview - 8:08
Connections - 18:18
Digging into a channel - 21:43
Setting a level - 21:50
Metering - 22:47
ST Cue 1 & 2 as effects Sends - 25:59
Channel Compressor - 33:38
Insert - 36:52
USB Out Post Fader - 37:39
Mute / Bus B - 38:02
PFL - Pre Fader Level - 38:53
Stereo channel overview - 39:18
Some thoughts so far - 42:08
Main Output Section - 45:38
Summary of synth setup - 55:10
Let's do a test recording to tape - 55:42
More thoughts so far - 1:00:47
Using it as an Audio Interface - 1:05:53
Multitrack recording - 1:08:47
Recording with effects - 1:12:29
Multi-channel playback - 1:14:22
Using the computer as a bus effect via ST Cue - 1:17:35
Using a microphone and guitar - 1:20:36
Bitwig Studio, clip recording, sync and hybrid mixing - 1:24:24
DC or AC Coupled? - 1:26:44
Creating sync between Bitwig and Eurorack 1:29:13
Clip recording - let's go! - 1:33:38
Conclusions - 1:40:07
Comparison with SubZero MIX08USB mixer - 1:48:19
Final thoughts - 1:54:48
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OK, update. Should have waited till the end of the video the first time. Who doesn't love this guy! He just as honest and straight faced as can be. No ego. Not afraid to say he doesn't know. To me those are the smartest people. And I swear I had that exact same shirt in the 70's. No lie. And while I don't care for that electronic / new wave stuff, I was kinda enjoying what he produced there. I'm going to see if he has anything he offers as download. Anyway he has a new fan here. Side note. I've only once had the chance to work on an SSL back in the early 80's. Tracked and mixed on a 4056E. Old man now still making my own stuff just for me to stave off the boredom of being house bound. What sheer bliss I'm sure it would be to have my fingers resting on the little SSL now soothing my ears. Good luck with all you do Mr. Molten. I'll be watching 🙂
Nice dive into the mixer. I appriciate you sharing your honest approach and discovery to the Big Six. Been researching and this came up. Watched to the end. Thank you for the hard work and overcoming some barriers to get this video out! Huge help.
Nice one, thanks
I'm very happy to see you handling this wonderful mixer that I bought a year ago and that I spotted in your monthly June issue, hoping you'd review it. I've been enjoying your lovely videos for a long time (and your shimmering shirts too) and am delighted that you've opted for this SSL BigSix in a context close to mine. You seem like a child discovering a wonderful Christmas present. We laugh and rejoice with you.
I love your open mindedness and approach to new things . Potentially even topics you aren’t fully familiar with (yet).
It’s much appreciated.
Hey Robin, great video. I really find watching you learn and describe what you learn fascinating.
I've watched loads of videos on mixing and mixers over the years, and there's not too many we're I feel I learned anything, you managed to cover all the basics, and the real world questions for use hobby studio-ists.
Cheers man , great job 👍
Wow, thank you!
honestly been considering an outboard mixer for a long time. I have a very hybrid setup, which I love. This is definitely one on the list. Thank you very much for this long format video going in depth.
Brilliant exploration/demonstration and very enjoyable - thanks Robin!
Thank you for this very in depth review. What I like most is your approach on how to look on such a piece of gear rather than chewing on the specs and marketing stuff. Limitations are most times the key to real creativity when creating music. This thing for sure provides everything you need when it comes to touch base with your music and creativity and I would think for most users this should be what its all about. Well done!!
Thanks 🙏
Nice job Mr. Molten! Very smart of SSL to have you do a demo (no other comment). What I wouldn't do to have that mixer. You're a lucky man.
Thanks Robin, very honest. I've had mine for a year now and had a couple of things that I'd wondered if I was doing wrong and you found those and came to the same conclusion, which was good to know.
Great bit of kit, I'm finding it very nifty.
Question for you both - are the cut-outs in the metalwork for the faders, brutally sharp? I'm talking slice-your-finger-open sharp. Mine is really bad. Otherwise great though.
@@RichardLacyMusic Now I check, the edges of the slots are sharper than my other mixers, but I can't see a situation where I'd need to touch them.
Yes, I did notice that.
It’s so refreshing to hear Robin asking questions like - do we really need another work flow?
Keep on pulling the wizards curtain down Robin.
The best RUclipsr in the solar system!!❤❤❤
OK. I just stumbled upon this channel. I have never heard a Euro-rack guy not understand a pretty basic mixer. HAHA! That said, I subscribed. Bloody brilliant!
A great review of a great piece of gear. SSL must be stoked. Probably the best review I’ve seen all year. ❤
My man is blowing up! This is big time, and Im sure SSL wanted someone who knows what they are doing to go through the act of discovery.
Unfortunatly, I will not be watching this video at... Last time I watched one of your videos about a piece of gear i wasn't 100% interested in but curious, got me a Malevolent. And I absolutly love it. My Sweetwater is maxed out as it is... so no way am I letting him talk me into raising my limit because I "need" a mixer.
Thanks for the deep dive! Great job. I appreciate your positive AND negative thoughts about it. Also, cool musics!
Getting the #BiGSiX was the best move I've made gear wise. I wish it existed a lot sooner in my career.
Just got mine today. Thanks for a VERY useful walk through. I know you said you weren’t going to talk about the sound quality but seriously how could you not? It sounds incredible - esp with that compressor tweaked. Stunning!!
Well, you can't talk about sound quality if all you're making is noise.
@@user-th9im7qe2x no need for that really was there?
That test recording went crazy 🔥🔥🔥
Oh man I've been waiting for this!
Had mine for a few days and I love it.
At exactly 30m00s you turn up ST Cue 2 on Ch1 (the first turn to about 70-80%, not the second where you go full 100%). I want a HQ sample of that. (Just the reverb choir sound).
Gorgeous console. As someone else said this is an instrument. It is meant to be played with. This will be a collector's item in the future. Seriously levelled up my work with this. Great video, thankyou.
Going through this video and hitting the end and saying to myself “holy shit I watched the whole thing” lol. Brilliant walkthrough.
interesting style - superb video quality / especially from the overhead camera - kinda of fun -
Great work Robin
Brilliant what you’ve put together here Robyn, I have an old Makie desk that I’ve never known how to use properly 👌
Thanks so much 😊
very informative. this helped a lot. thank you!
One thing I LOVE about mixers with eurorack and synthesizers is that I think more clearly in the language of voices like the old days lol😋
"is that a good thing? im never quite sure.." Yes! me too. This is the most important thing Ive watched in a looong time.
Hi Robin,
I posted this comment on a recent live chat video of yours and thought it would be appropriate to copy here too.
Different workflow obviously - my modular being much more limited - but having multiple bits of other kit permanently plugged in helps a lot.
I Use a small Mackie mix 8 - cheap and very versatile without too much faf. I have Mic in on 1, Moog werkstatt on 2, barp 2600 into modular into 3/4 (stereo), edrum kit into 5/6 (stereo), Matrixbrute into aux return (stereo). The main output then goes to the Steinberg UR22mk2 (Mackie has no usb) for computer use etc and the control room output goes straight to my amp so I don't need to power up the PC to listen if I don't want to. The tape in out go to/from my Akai R-R which can then record the lot.😁Works great for me.
Cheers Robin.
Edit -And all the sockets are on the top😄.
I’m a hard rock guitarist with a curious interest in synths and such. I do use guitar to MIDI units and guitar synths so there is a connection to your channel. A BigSix is of interest which brought me here… I must say your style, the chocolatey velvetness of your voice is a welcome change from the usual frantic, caffeine driven guitar and audio demo videos I watch. BTW I used to work in Denmark St, I wonder if we met at Turnkey on CharingX Rd years ago? Anyhoo… in summary I think you should consider branching out into meditation therapy bro 😂
Well thanks - you never know, many paths have been crossed.
I think that if you want to capture a multitrack plus a mix of the two effects returns you can route the channels to Bus B to remove them from the main mix, route the Ext inputs to the main mix and capture this on USB 15/16 which will then be just a sum of the FX returns. USB 13/14 will be the Bus B (dry) mix (which you can also monitor and record). It's shame it's not a 20 or 24 channel soundcard but within the constraints most things are possible with a bit of thought.
I think this is an awesome idea. You got me sold. I think getting a mixer in your Euro Rack is expensive and uses up valuable HP space and I bet the sound is ton better on the SSL than any performance mixer in your rack.
the sound stage on the little and the big six are OUTSTANDING.
Do try the talkback compressor on drums. It's great for spanking over the top compression. Incidentally it's what created the famous 80's gated reverb sound: the Talkback microphone was open on a big ol' SSL console and the door to the recording room was open. Someone hit a snaredrum, and the eighties were never the same again. Also, with the alt button, you get two separate mixes on the master fader & mon source: anything 'muted' goes to the monitor out, non muted to the master out.
That was Phil Collins who hit the drum on a Peter Gabriel record. The studio engineer was Hugh Padgham. 😊
You are all “bad gear,” and we are delighted. Marvelous!
Wow - impressive review. I'm sure the SSl sounded much more gorgeous than the sub zero... from a value proposition (without wishing to sound like a shill for SSL), you're getting a 16x16 audio interface, 4 good quality mic preamps, 16 channels of ssl analogue summing on mixdown plus analogue compression/eq for 2 grand. If it had ADAT it would be perfect. Of course I am speaking as someone who has never used this product and who currently uses a Mackie mixer that he got second hand for 20 quid! It was interesting to see your use with eurorack, in my case I would use it more as a front end for a DAW. I have seen a video of a guy using one of these for a dub mix using a mix of live sources and tracks from the computer, that was pretty impressive.
I would imagine the PFL button acts as a solo - when you press the button, other channels are muted?
Sounds fantastic!!
Dude, you got a good voice.
PFL = Pre Fader Listen (not Level). Routes the selected channel's pre fader signal to the monitors and cuts the main mix from the monitors so you can listen to what's happening on that channel on it's own (or with others that you also press). The main output is not affected. For example you can use it to make sure a source you are about to fade up is in tune or playing what you expect before you ruin your performance and recording or use it to zone in on one source without needing to mute all the other channels.
Thanx for a really good review👊💥
Compare this one with API or anything else and this beautiful desk is actually a dirt cheap no-brainer!🙂
I'm saving up😃
I picked up a Big 6 a few months ago for my 5U Modular Synth and it was a big improvement in sound. I bought it because my 10 year old audio interface died, but i have used it more as a live to camera mixer for videos so far. I have barely scratched the surface.
I finally finished your video. Thank you! I learned 2 things I had not figured out yet.
One is the logic behind and why I would use pre fader outputs to record to my daw.
The second was how to utilize daw effects on my live recordings. I had not taken the time to figure that out yet, but I have wanted to do that.
The clock out trick may come in handy at some point as well, but I had not even seen that as a desire yet.
Thank you!
Great video. Many thanks
Same journey here 😅 had it, love it, but swapped it for a apb powerhouse and a bigger fireface. Anyway a mixer is like an instrument and it‘s the missing piece of gear for me in my modular jungle 😂
Such a nice bit of kit this is. Might have to finally ugrade from my Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro…
Working with an outboard desk and processors is the most enjoyable workflow ever imho
I have two, and they are worth every penny. Running as aggregated devices on Macox so I have double the channels in Ableton. Combining different devices in aggregated mode can normalt be a hazzle, but two BigSix works perfectly together.
As a studio one user. I went down the route of the studiolive 32s. As you found all mixer manufacturers do not think about the way us synth users want to work. I used a seck 24:2 desk for 40 + years before moving to the 32s and it has taken me 6 months to get it setup to how I want it. Like eurorack it became an addictive hole. I now have the 32s and an NSB 32.16 so 64 in 38 out. I am just a studio musician but I now have all my synths on their own channel and each output from the individual outputs on my drum machines. My studio one template has the effects that I am likely to use set to every channel but off as a starting point. Now although this was expensive( £4000+) my basic starting point has 32 tracks with 5 effects on every track as they are plugins they all tempo sync to my DAW. To do this with hardware effects would cost way more. I definitely wish I could do it with hardware but back in the day when I had a Tascam 144 4 track that I could only use 3 tracks because I had time code on one to sync my stinberg pro 16 to I never dreamed I would have such a setup.
Interesting, thanks
wow what a piece of kit
Great Video, did you do any post processing on the audio or is that the sound straight out of the Big Six? It sounds amazing.
Cool piece of kit. I have a Tascam model 12 which is around 700 usd and that one works well for me. It would be very interresting to listen to an interview with SSL now after they have seen your review. The clock issue you had when you had to sacrifice a whole channel for it for instance, could that been done differently? Is there ways of using the mixer that you didnt think about? There are a few open questions that maby could be discussed there.
I'm enjoying your vid. Just wanted to mention that the 4 stereo channels are also SuperAnalog.
This is true
They are great pres! I use them for my voice over work from time to time between those and my Lynx (n) fantastic. I have the Baby SSLsix but love it.
jolly good show 👍
As a person whose built a Deckard's Dream, you could easily run up a set of short XLRs as port extensions. Easy Sunday afternoon pursuit.
Here at 45:34 Ive gone beyond my understnading. Yes, understanding is misspelled. My question right now, while wanting to utilize the Molten Motion Meter within my eurorack setup, is wow?
excellent instruction
the pricepoint sure is different but the built quality and parts probably are also better than in most budget mixers. But - I'd get it instantly just for the sake of having the post pre fader option. So many mixing desk interfaces have so many features but not a single one (except the huge old monster of a midas 32 firewire mixer) has that option and i think for electronic jamming & live recording post fader is crucial.
Great video and helped me as I’m thinking of something similar. I can’t see what it gives me over an ES9 giving 14 channels into Ableton though which totally cuts out the need for one.
Physical faders?
@@MoltenMusicTech Push2?
Yes, but... faders? I mean the ES9 and Big Six are not comparable other than being audio interfaces. If you don't see the physicality of the Big Six as important then you're right, you don't need one.
@@MoltenMusicTech looks very good for performance although I think more suited to a permanent home on a desk. I really like the look of it.
What a fantastic video, and now I'm very tempted to get this lovely console. I have a potential silly question. It's regarding integrating with an already pre-existing audio interface. I know it already has audio interface capabilities, but with no midi and lack of output options, do you see any scenarios in which having an audio interface work alongside this console would be a good idea?
That's actually what I do. I used the BigSix as a mixer and then route the outputs to the audio interface that's connected to my computer in another part of the room.
Will there be follow up video exploring use of bus compressor? It seems like it is one of main unique selling point features of this mixer, that sets it apart from other mixers, but it was not really explained or demonstrated very much.
Yes, possibly.
Can the talk back comp be routed to its own track?
Thank you sir, I just have pulled the trigger on that one after my M12 has been bought (in no time, i'd say) so the video is very welome. I wondered if the B6 comes with a couples of VST from the brand or other goodies ?
Kindly, Ax of Audiorial
Cool! No, no software to speak of, or at least i didnt notice any - there's not really a mixer app or anything, just the ASIO driver.
@@MoltenMusicTech okay, thanks Robin
@@MoltenMusicTech Did you check at SSL ? they offer 3 superb plugins for new and previous registered user of the B6 ! Also, doesn't PFL mean Pre fader LISTENNG instead of pre fader LEVEL ?
@35:27 i can hear the difference .. sound a bit smouther with the compressor on. I use my BigSiX to record everything without compressor and effects (clean sound). Then i route the recorded tracks againg through the BigSiX (use it for mixing, with compressor and effects ..) by using the Knobs "From USB" at the Top.
I had a Mackie 22 channel mixer but it didn’t make it . I replaced it with a line mixer which is much more simple meat and potatoes and it sends to my monitors in stereo and my interface simultaneously w/ 8 stereo / mono (16) ins very straight forward for a synth rig 👽✌️
PFL (PreFader Level/send) is used as a solo for analog consoles
This or the QU-16? Wish it had more channels
Thank you, but I'm not quite understanding effect sends and returns using ST Cues. Are you coming out from the ST (stereo) Cues 1 or 2 AT BACK panel of mixer to input reverb and then output from reverb to EX Inputs Right & Left at top right on BSix face panel? I don't see that you've pushed any buttons on the Monitor panel so what have I done wrong? I get no reverb. Thank you
Never mind, I missed the EXT 1 button pushed on the main panel and the pot turned up on ext.1 on monitor source section. That was the clincher for me.
cool - it can be tricky
Do you make songs or just fool around with various noises and sound effects?
All sorts. I mostly generate jams in a view to live performance or live capture.
Panning a delay on the right and a reverb and the left and is really tasty you should try it :)
Its the most classic thing I can think of for panning sends, can also be used for dual mono parralel compression
I personally think it's insane not to use a mixer and a modular setup
I make 6 figures mixing music and I'm itb. Clearly insane!!
I've been thinking about one of these. It's meant to be class compliant - works with laptops as you've shown - and I'm wondering if it works plugged into an iPad. Have you tried that? My Digitakt shows up as two channels of audio in AUM, and my Focusrite also works. It's a lot less hassle than sparking up my elderly behemoth PC, and if the SSL works it might just edge it for me, 'cos I could send my Euro stuff off to use the nice Fabfilter plugins.
Edit: It should work, but I've got a history of buying stuff that should work, but doesn't.
Yeah I know what you mean. I don’t own an iPad so I couldn’t tell you, sorry
@@MoltenMusicTech Fair 'nuff. I might ask SSL. Companies that sell quality hardware usually have responsive customer support. iPads are pretty good for music production btw. They have much the same software as the desktop versions but for far less money.
I said it before - but i love the way you are being you , Robin ,- 😘
Oooh , and ..yes turning on that compressor was a VERY good thing ! Wow -That Reel to Reel recording sounds FANTASTIC !
if it’s a 16 x 16 audio interface, how come you are unable to record the effect returns via usb?
nice inspiring video, though. all that live looping stuff is very cool, thanks!
Because they are not routed to usb inputs. These external inputs are summed to the main output. I wish it was different but there you go.
@@MoltenMusicTech so what are the remaining usb 4 channels routed to?
Two stereo channels, 13/14 are for Bus B and 15/16 are for the Main out.
thanks!
@@MoltenMusicTech You can press the buttons below the EXT1 and EXT2 return volume knobs to actually route your fx to your computer (usb 13/14& 15/16). It will override main and bus B, but you’re not recording them anyway while you are multitracking👍
So if you want solo you do mute and source of master as bus B then you have a solo Button with two fingers used.
Complexity
PFL is so you can set the gain to avoid clipping (assuming that's what one desires... ;-) )
Commenting so I can come back later once the quality goes up from 360p because you're messing with the BIGSIX eq and I really need to hear it and see if it's worth that £2K price tag.
Hmmm.... I don't know that that's a thing you can really get across in a RUclips video. So, while I showed it's existance I didn't spend time trying to hear the bands - this review is much more about my workflow. I've found that everyone has their own list of things that are important with mixers and I don't think I'm going to satisfy yours I'm afraid. Sorry about that.
@@MoltenMusicTech It'll still be interesting to watch.
I hope so 😁
most synths love a nice class A preamp.
Don´t be petty...oldschool hardware is a must...
The price of the mixer is a huge puzzle to me the Tascam model twelve is 3000 cheaper ?
Inserts have been historically used for dynamic effects.... I have a stereo filter and compressor chained on my drum machine inserts.
this is true
It's valuable to work with analog mixers whenever 1) you have a lot of hardware instruments and fx to work with 2) have the space and the money to get a good enough sounding mixer with enough internal routing options & multitrack recording capabilities while preserving the frist points. This is not easy thing to fulfill in the analog realm unfortunately, I would rather recommend everyone with tons of hardware to go digital way instead of such SSL or other limited (for the price) consoles (Presonus StudioLive is a good option with limitless routing, good pre-amps and worth the price without need for soundcards). This Big Six is cool when you have enough cash to put in for side analog mixing, could actually be used with a digital console to operate bussses processing but as a main a mixer is way too limited and in that case you won't be using the digital features of it so people would better spend the 2k into another great sounding analog merger/warmer box...
If you have tons of Midi gear going digital way can be a nightmare because you will need every synths latency sorted, you will have to get a controller for the DAW, unless you like the mouse, you will know how good the converters are when you really do a full session of many tracks and you push the unit, this SSL is much better than most things out there, they know a thing or so about consoles, there is also no one making a proper analog console, that has eq and effects send, soundcraft, etc are not the same as SSL, however the new Yamaha's are much better than they had been before. It all about the converters, driver support, latency etc.
orange or yellow lights..that’s funny..typically I think you set the faders at Unity and bring in the input gain for all instruments until you get a good pre mix..it’s not really what the color of the led reads..usually loudest material is set to peak a little under Unity..it’s a matter of taste how you print individual tracks..typically in a studio you want to print volume close to final mix not necessarily eq..as close to the final mix as possible..due to time constraints..I dunno everyone does it different..
I guess I would ask then why have metering at all? Or if unity is your aim then why is it at segment number 4 of an 8-segment meter? These are the things I pointed to in the video. Asking around, the generally consensus seemed to be to keep it in the yellows, so while i'm not sure what would typically be done, it sounds like a solid suggestion to me.
@@MoltenMusicTech I would push the fader all the way to the top whatever it says and ride the gain into the board to get a premix then print it cuz in the studio there is no time..regardless of metering..
Usually all the gear is fed a test tone before a session setting the gain Unity throughout the studio effects and all outboard included this is so the signal matches throughout the studio..and the session is ready ..then you bring things in..@@MoltenMusicTech
Or.... just keep it in the yellows.... i'm not a studio :D
@@MoltenMusicTech I know man sorry for the cray comments..I bet you could push into
red no problem it seems that the ssl has a lot of headroom..but you are a studio with everything you need to create ..I been following your channel since the ocoast vid ..
it’s cool to see your studio progress..
SSL should make one of these without the fancy interface and weird routing options, and make one of these with 8 of those mic preamps with channel inserts and line outs, 2 stereo subgroups with inserts for the subgroup's outpus, 4 aux sends, a couple few stereo returns/channels, and a main mix output with inserts... a good live performance mixer that sounds killer with their pres, and EQs... and channel and bus comps. I'd buy one in an instant for rock band rehearsals and live performances. If it was super killer like that I would payyyyy$$$!!!! I have no use for this Big6.
Well, there is a "SiX" which is pretty much as you describe :D
@@MoltenMusicTech I sure like the SSL concept, with these smaller boards, but i would need more mic preamps for full rock band live PA injection. The sound quality seems amazing with what you were doing with it.
This the fastest way to change between chapters in the song
Drive the channel and the master bus just before the red ... thats where it's start to come alive!
Big Six = 6 Stereo Channels. Two of those channels are dual mono. 4+2 = 6.
L I K E 👍👍 👍 👍👍 🙀🙀🙀🙀 💯💯💯
✅Excellent!!
Love owning the Big Six...
But where’s the FRIKKIN ADAT????🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Has anyone figured out how to clock this thing externally or is it just impossible???
S
First their was The Six, then it got bigger, The Big Six
360p crew signing in
Oh no! It's having a mute bus b undervolt...
show the damn machine
there it is!
Only a beginner noob would actually use this. This is like the next step up after the Focusrite 2i2.
P r o m o s m 💔
this looked interesting but Jesus man, you can't arf babble on about nothing!.... I moved on!
Suit yourself
It’s honestly ridiculous how much people attempt to do with synthesizers without a good mixer. It doesn’t even occur to them. They’re either doing some kind of mixerless dawless jam or they’re working in Ableton. It’s funny how there are things that every DJ knows that producers have trouble with. That’s what they pay a mastering engineer for. But if you’re doing any kind of live synth thing it makes a huge difference if you have a real mixer and know how to use it.
But this isn’t a good mixer for synths. I know it’s analog, but come on. It’s hideous, and the layout is bad. Maybe it’s OK for a rock band that uses a lot of microphones, but for synths you could get an analog Allen & Heath that would be so much better. I don’t think SSL even knows how to make a good mixer cheaper than a $40,000 Origin. A Tascam Model 12 is 1/5th the price of the Big Six, and I’d much rather use the Tascam. If you want an analog mixer with panning, you can eBay a ‘90s 4-track for under $100.
Synths don’t need a ton of EQ tweaking. You mostly dial a patch in the way you want it to sound. But you still want to have things on different channels and you want to move things in/out of the mix, and you want to make room for things by cutting the bass to make room for bass-heavy stuff and cutting the highs to make room for lead stuff. And if you’re any kind of gear nerd you want multiple FX sends that let you clean up big things like delay tails by cutting the lows and/or highs. Or you could just get a Zen Delay for each of your synths and use the filter on that. 😂
I’m just saying that DJ mixers are actually more applicable to modern synth workflows than FOH mixers with a bunch of XLR inputs that are made for live bands. But there’s also some good mixers like the Tascam Model 12 which are made more for Ableton/synths than for mixing a bunch of microphones. Techno mixers like the Model 1 or Xone:96 or Pioneer V10 are really good for synths because they have multiple stereo FX sends and they just have a better set of features for synths. I know people notice the compressors on FOH mixers and think that must be great for synths, but it’s not. You’d be better off with a cheap overdrive pedal than those compressors. If you want sidechain compression you can get an Empress Comp or a TR-8S or a Circuit Tracks.
Oh and Behringer has an insanely cheap analog mixer coming out soon, the Xenyx 1003B.
Really disturbing to see this SSL gear that is now manufactured in China.
Practically everything is manufactured in China (regardless of where it’s designed). Including the device you watched this on and typed your comment.