SSL X-Desk - Review LOOK INTO
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- Today we are reviewing the Solid State Logic X-Desk, the main hub of our studio at RedStone Productions. We show you how the 2nd smallest SSL studio mixer in the world can power up most of your analogue dreams without compromise. Stay tuned for more!
The market really needs a little console with 8-10 preamps and a good eq section, for pro recording. Project and amateur studios are still waiting.
Xl desk ? API the box ?
@@ryanmondak1844 I guess you missed the fact that the price-point is 5 x the price of X-desk of those two.
I didn't realize how extensive this little thing was! Thanks for this video man!!
You are very welcome James! We love it so much that we expanded it with the X-Panda. Killer combo!!
I remember drooling over this console quite a few years ago. Got the SiX now for summing. 1200 CHF. Crazy how as time goes on, you get way more for way less.
The ssl six is a very different unit and aimed at a different target. If that works for you great to hear man. What sounds good is good!!
@@RedStoneProductions Agreed. So happy with my hybrid setup. Analog summing and digital flexibility. The wealth is overflowing and I am so grateful.
I have the SSL XDesk and XPanda. I Love them! The insert and sum on the mains makes tis console VERY powerful.
Glad t say I also found an X-Panda and integrated it into my signal flow along with the X-Desk. Super powerful options man!
I'm one of the few that has an Xpanda. Summing that many channels is pretty great. When I talked to an SSL rep, he said only 1100 had been made. Good luck on your search buddy.
Do You want sell your Xpanda
@L C Hey L C. Interested in that Desk. kbaikgodiso@outlook.com.
I found mine! Proud owner of the SSL X-Desk and X-Panda now!!
@@RedStoneProductions Dude congrats!
Supposedly they have an X-rack compatibility also, but I've never had one or known someone with one to try it out. I've since been building out two 500 series racks for the first 8 channels patched to the insert points. First 8 channels has eq and comp for each channel. So far has been great for tracking on the way in or polishing some tracks before mixing.
Cheers!
Thanks for your comment Lex!! Yes, the X-Desk and the X-Rack are compatible in the sense that you can use the X-Rack Line Input modules to "Expand" the amount of channels on mix down on your X-Desk. Only the very first X-Rack units were not compatible, but the vast majority of them does it without issues. We also got the Inserts of our X-Desk first 8 channels "normalled" (on our TT patchbay) to some of our Eqs and compressors. It works like a charm!
Here is the problem with many people who bought the xdesk such I myself, you are explaining very good what you can do with all of those options, however what needs to be explained is how to actually connect everything up with or with out patch bays to achieve all of this functionality. Many who bought the unit have zero experience on a Big SSL board so actually wiring up this thing is confusing as hell. I am slowly grasping info bit by bit. The Big six is a nice unit but not as flexible as the xdesk.. I wish SSL had made an 12 or 16 fader Xdesk.
Thanks for your comment. If we get more requests on the SSL X-Desk and patchbay signal flow, I will go deeper into it. In the meantime please consider subscribing to our channel.
Cant wait to add the fusion to mine!
beautiful band recording - lovely, smooth, fat, silky depth going on... great stuff!
Wow, that console is impressive.
Very informative, thank you!
SSL has really nailed this especially with the price.
It was a market where Neve wanted the 5060 to be but for 8k it's just meh really even with it's compressor. Thanks for you review!
I wish someone like you would make a comprehensive How To supplemental detailed explaination of how exactly all of those functions you ripped thru on that video are done step by step. many folks who bought this gear such as myself are kind of new bees with regards to all the routing functions of such a desk. I mean you where really flying through that material...Geez! Lol. I think the SSL marketing folks assume most buyers would already have knowledge on using a larger SSL concel.
Thanks for your comment! I wish I could find the time to do it myself. Hopefully in the future.
Really needed this video, thank you.
Where did you get the great looking wooden sides for your SSL-X desk. Did you make them or was it an add on purchase from somewhere?
www.mixingtable.com/solid-hardwood-side-panels-ssl-x-desk-x-panda
Slam Dem Buttons !!
Lol. Yeah. I hope it last a while. Seemed to be pushing them pretty hard. Lol
Squish that cat!!
Thank you for making this understandable for me! Really well explained
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much.i bought how i think i will connect. my avid hd omni sound card.
Woah buddy, where did you get that wood side trim? That’s not available on Sweetwater here in the US.
They different options even with arm rest, super easy to install.
www.mixingtable.com/solid-hardwood-side-panels-ssl-x-desk-x-panda
I just saw that website with all the beautiful options. I will be adding that to my X Desk. Thanks for sharing.
Great video! Looking to buy but don’t understand how you’re printing mixes back into PT. I’m not seeing a mix output. Thanks so much
At 10:31 you can see a db25 analogue output called Centre Out. Within that db25 connector there is the Mix Output, which I have plugged via patchbay to my 2track ADC.
Hi, thnaks a lot for this clear and complete review. I have the opportunity to buy one but i have a big question. Does the ALT in could be use to have stereo on chanel 1 ? main of my instruments are stereo.
Thanks for your comment Raphael! The ALT Inputs (just like the main Inputs) are all Mono and can be Panned via the Pan Potentiometer. The way I use them is to augment my summing possibilities on the analogue domain as follows: Basically my first 8 outputs of the DA converter hit the main input (1-8), and the outputs 9-16 hit the ALT Input routed via the Cue Bus into the Main Mix Bus.
I own an SSL X Desk and would like to know how to print an entire mix (as a stereo track) back into my ProTools session. Can you please explain in detail of how to do so? Thank you & I very much enjoy the video that you posted and I got a lot of unanswered questions from watching it.
Hi Dazzle and thank U for your question. In order to print the main mix on the SSL X-desk and any other desk in general, simply plug the X-Desk Mix out into 2 available inputs of your interface and create a stereo track in Protools with those inputs and Print the Mix. You can monitor it back on the 2-Track Input of the SSL X-Desk available on the Monitoring section so you can hear the Mix before printed and while it is getting printed and switch back and forth (monitoring wise). Specifically on the X-Desk the Main Mix (Mix L-R) are available on a DB-25 socket on the back labelled CENTER OUT. You can find the details on page 10 of the SSL X-Desk Manual (see screenshot e-mailed to you personally).
Best Regards from Amsterdam!
Thanks for your question, but it's not clear to me what you mean with "connecting the EXT monitoring". There is an external input selectable form the Monitor Control section (along with other options like Mix and iJack). All the Inputs on the X-Desk are on a db25 pin connectors. Does this answer to you? Best Regards
Just wondering. When you switch from your Line In to Alt In, are your Direct outputs still being fed?
Absolutely yes, that’s what makes it super handy indeed!
I am really looking forward to getting one of these. Has anyone that has used this unit for recording and mixing steadily for at least two years ran into any major issues?
Thanks for your comment. I've been running my SSL S-Desk for 4 years now and no issues at all. Prior to this I was also working in a studio with 2 X-Desks and they're still rock'n'rolling!
@@RedStoneProductions Good to know. I am a start up with a very modest budget. I am trying to avoid financial pitfalls while maintaining the best possible analog front end within my budget. Thank you for the response. It would be great if you would release a video focusing on startup mixing and how to break the threshold into professional level clientele to help us afford the pro level equipment we all aspire to.
Thanks man! We will try to make some time for that kind of content as well, if there are more requests.
Good review
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Thanks for the video could you explain how to mix the 16 Chanels using the the stereo cue ? Do you send the signal true the same Chanel number ? if you can explain Thanks much
Hi Gabriel and thanks for your question! I use the main inputs for the first 8 (mono) tracks, and due to the clever routing of the SSL X-Desk I can also use (at the same time) the Cue Bus to Sum 8 extra tracks on the Main Bus. Instead of having Faders to control the volume on mix down you will control the volume of these extra tracks with a potentiometer. It is all well explained in the manual of course. Basically my first 8 outputs of the DA converter hit the main input (1-8), and the outputs 9-16 hit the ALT Input routed via the Cue Bus into the Main Mix Bus.
@@RedStoneProductions Thank you very much I got it
Great video...thank you
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi, that is a great video! I own one of those and was wondering if you calibrate the desk or system before mixing in a hybrid situation. Still on that subject my desk has the left channel louder than the right, that is another reason I am looking into calibration. I would be great if you could clear that for me and also other users of this great desk. Thank you
Yes I always calibrate I/O's when mixing in hybrid fashion. I run a test oscillator (sine wave at 100Hz, 1KHz, and 10KHz) from my DAW to all the outputs and measure the incoming inputs after the X-desk and inserts...
How and why would you calibrate the xdesk I/O?
Thank you for detail explaination of this desk. I just wonder how to use external stereo input as a line input signal in order to summing mixdown. Is it ok that hook up external input to master insert send section ? Or any other method ?
Glad it was helpful! You can hook up any external input either via any of its 16 line inputs, or via any of its Stereo Return Input. These are the only options to sum this line input on the mixbus. Alternatively you can go into the EXT (external) input but for monitoring purposes only (not summed into the mix bus). Big P.
I’m trying to figure out if buying this along the ssl uf8 is a good combo?
Thanks for your comment! Depending on your needs this could be a very good combo indeed. The X-Desk is still our central hub of the studio, but you need to have preamps, converters, patchbays and outboard to justify having it. The UF8 brings DAW control at your fingertips, so together with the X-Desk you have a solid hybrid setup.
@@RedStoneProductions thanks for the reply! I’m an analog head and hate using mouses and I’m all about hardware. Currently selling my c24 and changing my workflow completely. Thanks!
What ADA converter are you using for the Channel Out and Alt In?
ADC's and DAC's in use are: Apogee Symphony and RME FF802 plus UA2192 for the 2Track Mixdown.
What headphone amp do you have hooked up to the Cue of the X-Desk?
Thanks for your question! I use a simple Presonus hp60 for the artists.
@@RedStoneProductions Ok thanks, i ask because i own an x-desk as well but the cue output from the x-desk seems very weak to me, also the talkback mic is not that great, do yoy agree to this?
You're Welcome! The Cue Output is a standard Professional Line Level Output (+4dBU). Gain Stage your Cue sends from the Channels Up. The talkback works just fine and it's awesome to have that capability into such a small desk. Obviously it's not the best Talkback Microphone and I wish they would allow you to hook up an external Talkback Mic.
Thanks for your answer!
thanks
You're welcome! Please subscribe to our channel if you like the content.
What do you use for a headphone amp system with the xdesk?
I have the Stereo Cue send normalled via the patchbay to the input of a simple Presonuns HP60. No problems with this setup so far!
Thanks- that unit cones up a lot...
awesome
Hi are the mix outputs by Dsub or xlr?
Db25/Dsub. The only xlr outputs are monitors out
how are you getting the output of the X-Desk into a computer (if at all)?
Thanks for your question! As explained in the video, Mix Output (L-R) to my AD Converter for Mixdown and/or Direct Out on every single channel (Pre or Post Insert and Fader) into my AD converter for Multi-tracking.
@@RedStoneProductions thanks! What AD Converter do you prefer or recommend? Im ramping up my studio!
We use RME and Apogee Symphony Converters here at the studio.