SSL Announces Mid-Scale Analog Console – XL-Desk

Recent releases from Solid State Logic express their catering to the modern-day recording studio. Usually meaning compact size, more DSP, and more DAW integration.

But SSL is still known for their analog roots – with the release of the XL-Desk SSL will continue the lineage by delivering an analog console, but for those who don’t require extensive DAW integration.

SSL’s XL-Desk couples the traditional analog console with modern functionality.

The XL-Desk is a mid-sized console with 20 channel strips and lots of room for expansion. SSL will offer the console in two options:

• 500 format rack empty
• Fully loaded with 16 x SSL E-Series EQ modules

Complete with their Stereo Bus Compressor, the XL-Desk has enough features to be the central analog hub for any recording studio.

SSL XL-Desk will be available near the end of October 2014, starting at $19,999 MSRP. Here are complete details from SSL:

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.

Key Features

• 20 + 1 fader, over 40 input SuperAnalogueTM SSL console
• 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)
• The legendary Stereo Bus Compressor, with new high-pass filter sidechain
• 18-slot 500 format rack built-in, accessible from channels or mix busses
• In addition to a 500 rack insert each mono channel also has a standard insert point
• 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 & iJack sockets
• High quality internal PSU

Please note: When you buy products through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission.