Performance. Control. Power. 

SSL Live consoles have met widespread praise from many of the world’s leading live engineers. SSL Live consoles are designed to help highly skilled operators deliver outstanding performances in the most demanding applications in Touring, Installation, Houses Of Worship and Theatre. And now with patented next-gen Optimal Core Processing (OCP) offering even more DSP power and flexibility, SSL Live consoles are your key to a superior sonic performance. 

Take control

Control

Take Control

The key to a great control surface is a clear view of everything in your audio environment and finding exactly the control you need at your fingertips when you need it. SSL’s obsession with ergonomics and workflow has delivered an intelligent, elegant and comfortable layout. All of the most commonly used functions are carefully arranged so that they sit within reach where your hands naturally fall on the console. There is a wealth of visual feedback with carefully considered use of colour change technology that will not fatigue the user during long periods of operation. The SSL Live control surface delivers a genuinely intuitive combination of gestural touch screen & hardware control and a whole collection of innovative features designed to streamline workflow.

Power

Power

The Power to Connect

The power within SSL Live consoles is provided by our new ‘Tempest’ platform, developed specifically to meet the demands of live production. We are of course very proud of our clever new processing technology, but at SSL our focus is always on what really matters and that is you having the power to do your job well. Live harnesses Tempest’s power in a sensibly flexible way to let you balance allocation of resource between signal processing and console architecture to suit each project. Thanks to the intrinsic flexibility of our approach, no matter how you configure it, when you compare the numbers, Live gives you more Inputs and Outputs, more Channels, Stem Groups, Auxes, VCA’s and Masters, more processing tools and more signal processing power than many consoles with much bigger price tags.

Tempest

Tempest

Such stuff as dreams are made on

Live consoles are powered by Tempest, a new fourth generation digital audio platform developed specifically to meet the demanding requirements of the live environment. Learning from more than 25 years of digital console development, Tempest is a ground up development. All legacy code – the key to the sonic excellence of previous generations of SSL digital consoles – has been rewritten in the latest software languages. The high capacity signal processing engine at the heart of Tempest uses SSL’s patented Optimal Core Processing (OCP) to deliver highly efficient and reliable performance with minimal latency. Tempest delivers all of the power required to equip Live with all of the mixer architecture, processing power and connectivity to handle large scale events. SSL Live signal processing engine is integrated entirely within the control surface.

SSL Live

Up Close and Personal

The SSL Live control surface brings decades of design experience to the specific demands of live sound production. The result is an uncluttered design that is intuitive and ergonomically efficient with a collection of unique features to keep the operator in complete control at all times. The system lets you use your own balance of touch screen and hardware control to work the way you want to.

Stem Groups

Screen interfaces

A single super bright, high resolution 19" multi-touch screen is the heart of the console and can be used for system & I/O configuration, creating surface layouts using the Layer Manager, the Automation interface, the Effects Rack and two different views of your project; The Channel View and Console Overview.

The Channel View provides a clear and logically organised overview and interface for detailed channel information. This GUI corresponds to the faders in the Fader Tile and provides touch access for all path functions. SSL Eyeconix displays ensure that channel identification is immediate. The meters can be expanded to give a large-scale view. Double tapping individual channels opens up detailed GUI’s that provide intuitive configuration and multi-gesture control for a menu of operations including; routing assignments, VCA’s, Aux’s, Stem Groups, EQ, Dynamics, the All Pass Filter and Panning. Live allows changes in path processing order and bus architecture on the fly through straightforward drag and drop actions.

An at-a-glance view of the whole console’s signal flow is essential. The Console Overview provides this on a touchscreen that enables the operator to immediately identify and access a channel or bus that needs attention. Selection of any channel or bus to the Focus Fader and Channel Tile is literally one press away at all times. With meters and bright red overload indicators for every input and output, identifying issues is easy and a single press brings a full set of path controls to hand.

A dedicated Automation interface can be displayed on the main screen or an external monitor/touchscreen.

Keeping control of even the largest sessions is very straightforward with Live. It is an open architecture system that allows the user to place any Channel, Stem Group, VCA, Aux, Master etc anywhere on the available Fader Tiles using a beautifully straightforward drag and drop Layer Manager interface. Whether at FOH or Monitors, Live allows you to create your own personal perfect layout. The combination of superbly elegant Layer & Banking and Super Q hardware controls and excellent touch screen layouts make navigating and controlling sessions extremely fast and superbly comfortable.

With L500 Plus a Tablet can be used to bring additional touch screen control over Channel Processing and Effects Rack processing using the SSL TaCo tablet control application.

Additional screens connected to external PC's or touchscreen laptops running SOLSA can be arm mounted to the console to bring yet more touchscreen control options.

Colour Function

Colour Function

The visual cues the operator receives from a console are vital and Live uses colour beautifully. Within the fader strips a single large LED strip is used to identify and organise the type of signal path (VCA, Aux etc) or the instrument group (drums, vocals etc) assigned to the fader. The colours used are freely definable by the operator. Controls designed for parameter editing (Aux send levels, EQ & Effect parameters etc) on screen and in the Quick Controls also use user definable colour coding. What is selected in the touch screens and the various sets of edit control hardware can be set to always follow each other.

Eyeconix

Eyeconix

In a console with banks and paging, speed of channel identification can make the difference between embarrassment and excellence. SSL’s unique Eyeconix display enables bitmap images to be displayed with each channel greatly reducing the time taken to identify and access the desired controls.

Channels

Channels

SSL Live Channel architecture is easy to configure and extremely flexible. Channels have their own dedicated processing power and can be full with complete processing or dry and consume less processing power. Full channels have an unrivalled set of process tools with hi and lo-pass filters, four band parametric EQ which carries the legendary SSL tonal character (switchable between Legacy or constant Q), compressor with a new tube ‘warmth’ effect, expander/gate, delay, panning and all pass filter. There are two insert points. Dry Channels have no processing tools, two inserts and use less processing power. The Channel setup panel in the touch screen makes configuration and routing fast and intuitive. Channels can be mono, stereo, LCR, 4.0 or 5.1 and there are configurable foldown options.

Stem Groups

Stem Groups

SSL Live consoles introduce a new type of signal path not found on other live consoles which we are calling the Stem Group. It functions in a similar way to a traditional subgroup, however a Stem Group has an increased feature set that makes it enormously powerful. A Stem Group is a unique type of hybrid mix bus that takes the key functions of a Sub Group, an Input, an Aux and a Matrix and rolls them into one extremely powerful tool. Stem Groups offer incredibly flexible routing options within the mix engine not found on any other live console. As with all other path types they can be configured in mono, stereo, LCR, 4.0 or 5.1. Both full and dry versions are available. Stem Groups offer truly new and powerful ways to think about mixing and offer flexible solutions to manage your creative environment.

Process Order

Process Order

Unique to Live is the ability to change the order of path processing blocks for Channels, Stem Groups, Masters etc in real time. A simple ‘block swipe’ user interface in the main touch screen allows elements to be dragged and dropped to any point in the signal path giving absolute flexibility.

System Monitor

External Monitor

Sprung boom arms can be mounted on either or both sides of the console. Arms can be specified as screen mounts or laptop/utility trays. External screens can be connected directly to the console to display the Console Overview screen or Automation screen. Screens connected to external PC's running SOLSA can also be mounted.

Fader Tile

Fader Tile

Fader Tiles are freely configurable to control any signal path, with clear bright colour coding. Users can lay out channel/path types across the console to precisely match their own workflow. Fader Tiles are independent. Each Tile features 12 fader strips, with five layers of five banks giving up to 25 banks of 12 faders per Tile. Layer and Bank keys with LCD displays provide rapid layer and bank navigation. Each strip includes a touch sensitive 100 mm motorised fader, Solo, Mute, Query and Select buttons, individual LCD display and a set of Quick Controls. Alongside each channel fader are 14 segment level meter and separate gate and compression meters. A collection of menu buttons select various aspects of the Tile’s functionality, including ‘Swap’ which allows any bank to be set as a ‘Home’ set of strips. A ‘Screen’ key assigns the entire tile as the controls for the screen mixer view, so any Fader Tile can be used as the master.

Layers and Banking

Layers and Banking

SSL has been implementing layer and bank based channel layout and navigation for more than 20 years in our digital broadcast, music and post consoles. The SSL Live interface is elegant, flexible and delivers a highly customisable workspace that keeps even large scale projects organised and accessible. Each fader tile can display up to five scrollable layers. Each layer has up 5 vertical banks, with each bank having a dedicated call button (layers and banks are color coded and can have user text to identify them). Channels can be organised in any order anywhere within this structure.

Quick Controls

Quick Controls

At its upper edge each Fader Tile has a row of twelve ‘Quick Controls’ (a push/select control and three buttons). The Quick Controls can be assigned to the same single parameter for all channels console wide (eg Input section, Aux’s etc) using the Fader Tile controls, or from the touchscreen in Channel View. Alternatively, the entire row of Quick Controls in the Fader Tile below the touchscreen can be used in Follow Detail mode as individual parameter controls for EQ, Dynamics, or Effects parameters etc. The Quick Control rotary functions can be flipped onto the faders.

Focus Fader

The Focus Channel

The Channel Control Tile and the Focus Fader in the Master Tile both follow the selected channel and effectively combine to form a ‘Focus Channel’. The Focus Fader places a full single fader strip in an optimal ergonomic position on the console to provide the fastest possible means of addressing issues with any selected channel. The Channel Control Tile provides its own independent combination of multi-gesture touch screen and hardware control. It provides a streamlined way to assign all of the parameters of a specific processor on a selected channel to a set of hardware controls that will be immediately familiar to analogue console users.

VCA

VCA’s, Mute Groups and Main Fader

The essential tools of the live mixer are provided in abundance. Any fader can be assigned to a VCA. Mute Groups have a dedicated bank of buttons in the Master Tile. Any channel can be assigned to a VCA or Mute Group within the channel assignment menu on the touch screen. The Main Fader, also located in the Master Tile, has its own metering, solo/mute and Query buttons and can be assigned to any Channel, Stem Group, Aux, VCA, Master, Solo or Matrix output.

Super-Q

Super-Q

SSL’s acclaimed Super-Q system offers unprecedented workflow flexibility from the touch of a single button. Super-Q allows the user to ‘spill out’ the contributing elements or destinations for a selected fader/path across the control surface. It works for all path types; pressing a channel’s ‘Q’ button in the Fader Tile, or in the touchscreen or TaCo Screen Query interfaces, shows the mix buses to which the channel is routed. Querying a mix bus will show only the channels that are contributing to that mix. Pressing a VCA’s Q button will show all channels under its control.

Super-Q also shows the send levels to and from mixes, allowing instant and accurate mix control, either from a channel- or mix-centric view. These contributions can be displayed either on the rotary encoders at the top of each fader strip or automatically ‘flipped’ onto the faders.

Super-Q has two modes; ‘Compressed’ mode shows a focused view of only the audio paths contributing to or from the Queried path. ‘Expanded’ mode offers user-defined layers and banks, allowing the user to lay out exactly where they want each channel to appear on the surface. The modes are configurable on a per-path type basis, giving the user complete control of their workflow.

A new “Query to Focus Fader” option assigns the queried path to the Focus Fader. A new Clear Query User Key provides a rapid method of exiting Query mode from the same button every time.

Spill

Spill

Sometimes the simplest things are the best. Our unique Spill feature enables the individual channels within a 5.1, 4.0, LCR or stereo path to be folded away under a single fader. Spill then lays them out on demand across the adjacent fader strips for relative adjustment or editing... when you’re done fold them away again. It saves layout space and makes manipulating multi-channel elements a lot easier.

Master Tile

Master Tile

The Master Tile gathers together Automation controls & Mute Group buttons alongside a Master Fader (which can be assigned and locked to any signal path), the Focus Fader (which can either follow the selected path or be locked to a specified path), and a set of assignable user keys. The Tile also features our flexible Solo and Talkback system. Two individual Solo Buses, each with dedicated push/select level controls, feed three Solo Channels which might be used for example with a wedge, headphones and in ear feeds. A mini matrix of Solo Select and Output Select buttons allow routing of either or both solo buses to any or all solo outputs quickly and easily. There are two Talkback channels, each of which can feed Auxes and/or direct outputs and have dedicated controls and routing buttons that follow the same logic. The default solo source for each Solo Channel can be sourced from anywhere within the Live system (including Matrix outputs) or from six external solo inputs. A new Broadcast Solo mode contains features typical in broadcast applications, including Solo Dim for each Solo Channel and an Auto Dim feature. Solo & Talkback do not consume resource from the overall console path count.

Channel Control Tile

Channel Control Tile

For those who prefer hands on hardware the Channel Control Tile provides an expanded set of hardware and touch screen controls for the selected Channel. It features an 7.5” high res touch screen surrounded by 15 rotary controls. Dedicated button panels below for EQ, Dynamics, Panning and insert effects instantly call groups of parameters to the tile controls. Above the screen, additional sets of controls call Input and Delay parameters to the controls and a rapid access button set calls channel configuration parameters including Auxes, Stem Groups, VCA’s and Mute Groups to enable channel configuration using hardware controls instead of the main touch screen.

Automation

Automation

As you would expect from the company that first introduced console automation over 30 years ago, SSL Live consoles feature an automation system that benefits from our unrivalled studio and broadcast background.

Automation is controlled via a full hardware interface in the Master Tile or via a software interface that can be manipulated via the main touchscreen or Channel Control Tile screen. The Automation interface can also be displayed on the optional external monitor. The system can store virtually unlimited automation scenes. Extensive filters enable the user to choose exactly what settings the console stores or recalls, not just on a global basis but also on a per scene basis. Scene groups enable absolute or relative editing of all selected scenes in a single operation. Scenes can be triggered manually or from external triggers. Scenes even include the Eyeconix images and display brightness settings.

The finest studio sound on stage.

SSL has always set the audio performance benchmark for others to reach and sound quality is the primary design consideration of SSL Live consoles. Nothing is sacrificed so that the ultimate sonic performance can be delivered. SSL Live local I/O and Stageboxes use SSL’s patented mic amp technology to deliver SSL SuperAnalogue™ performance with better than industry standard studio grade mic pre’s combined with 24bit/96kHz DAC’s to deliver a frequency response that is within 0.05 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz (within 1.3dB down to 10Hz) and a THD of 0.005%. The circuitry is DC coupled (no electrolytic capacitors in the signal path) and high input impedance. Mic amp gain is controlled with extreme precision in more than 16,000 steps ensuring totally smooth control, very good common mode rejection and extremely low distortion. 64-bit internal processing is used throughout guaranteeing maximum precision to support the highest standards of audio performance within all our processors. It all adds up to an exceptionally detailed sound we are sure you will love.

Audio quality is a key factor in the usability of SSL Live consoles. Users report that they are able to achieve great mixes quickly and easily without the need to employ additional effects and processing to to compensate for inferior mic pre's, audio converters, internal audio path and mix bus. SSL Live consoles provide the audio processing toolkit that generations of SSL mix engineers have used to create countless hit recordings along with a suite of freshly developed processors. The full processing paths include a four band parametric EQ that can be switched between a precise constant Q mode and ‘SSL Legacy EQ’ with our well known unique tonal character, hi- and lo-pass filters with selectable slopes, SSL dynamics presented as separate compressor, analogue style tube emulator, expander/gate as well as a delay line and cleverly configured all pass filter. Our Live consoles also feature precision analysis tools such as the fixed point per octave spectrum analyser and the acclaimed Dialogue Automix system from SSL’s broadcast consoles.

Lifting The Veil

Download

SSL studio processing brought to the stage 



Effects Rack

Effects Rack

SSL Live consoles feature an internal effects rack that can be accessed via the insert points of Channels, Stems, Auxes and Masters as well as from the router. Designed to emulate a studio setup, the effects rack allows engineers to feel immediately comfortable creating complex effect routings with every parameter stored as part of the console automation. There are seven categories of studio quality, mono, stereo and multi-channel, ultra low latency effects designed specifically for live use. Reverbs, Delays, Modulation effects, EQ and even the famous SSL Stereo Bus Compressor are all included in a suite of more than 45 effects and tools. The effects rack has its own dedicated processing core with adaptive processing that intelligently reduces the overall processor overhead as you increase the effects load. Depending on the effect type up to 96 effects can be used in an L650 and up to 48 in an L350 Plus.

EQ

EQ

In addition to the options included in the full processing channels the effects rack offers additional EQ options: The G-Flex EQ (which comes in 8, 16, 24 & 32 filter versions) offers incredibly flexible Graphic EQ filters, a 10 or 6 band Parametric with a menu of selectable filter characteristics per EQ band and the smooth Contour program shaping EQ based on node selection operated with a familiar graphic EQ user interface. Allowing the creation of asymetric EQ curves.

Dynamics

Dynamics

In addition to SSL’s renowned channel Dynamics in the full processing channels, a full complement of insert effects includes our famous Stereo Bus Compressor and Listen Mic Compressor along with high quality De-esser, Dynamic EQ, gate, Multiband Compressor and Transient Shaper.

Reverb

Reverb

Our Reverb tool kit brings studio hardware grade depth and precision to on board console effects. There is a complete collection including Gated, Early Reflection, Ambient, Cathedral, Stadium, Recording Room, Tight ER and Plate reverbs, a superb vocal processor and the creative effect ‘D Gen’ processor.

Delay

Delay

From simple delays to complex multi tap echoes, the Delay effects are ultra-versatile and processor friendly making complex delays easy to achieve. Delay types include: ‘Classic’ & Multi-Tap, Tape Echo, Ping Pong and feature modulation and filters. Delays can be set via numeric time, tempo tap or BPM (with note value scaler).

Warmth and Noise

Warmth & Noise

The VHD Saturator is a digital emulation of the highly regarded SSL Variable Harmonic Drive (VHD) circuit that introduces variable amounts of 2nd or 3rd order harmonic distortion to give controllable blends of transistor grit or tube style warmth. There are ‘Guitar Cabinet’ and ‘Bass Cabinet’ emulations. Our Denoiser is the ideal processor for controlling noise polluted source material. Our Enhancer provides non EQ based frequency control tools and our Pitch Shifter is smooth and pure.

Audio Tools

Audio Tools

When it comes to setting up, there is a fully featured tone/noise generator, a precision SPL Meter, a Phase Scope and the FPPO-lyer; the only built in FFT Analyser that provides true Fixed Point Per Octave analysis and thus truly accurate frequency analysis throughout the frequency spectrum. The FPPOlyser offers stereo analysis and two ‘cross hairs’; one tracks the maximum level and frequency and the other can be set monitor the level of a specific frequency.

Automix

Dialogue Automix

Taken directly from our broadcast consoles our Dialogue Automix system is a powerful aid to the professional mix engineer. One of the most challenging tasks a mix engineer can face is riding the faders to maintain a smooth, balanced mix in something like an awards show with multiple presenters. Dialogue Automix allows the operator to set the relative mix of 12, 16 or 24 microphones (per effect instance) and then automatically makes fast, transparent crossfades between them in response to incoming signal levels. It has two distinct benefits: it helps eliminate ‘noises off’ and uses a smart algorithm that maintains unity gain across the entire mic group, thus keeping the overall background noise level smoothly balanced. It frees the mix engineer to focus on balance and sound quality rather than be chained to the faders.

Road Ready

Ready For The All Weather Hard Knocks Of The Road.

SSL has a global reputation for the highest standards of build quality and first class support. With Live we have taken things to the next level. At its heart Live has a steel chassis that is expecting a life on the road and it is well balanced with weight distributed carefully and well placed lifting points to make it a comfortable and safe lift. It is also designed for life in a wide range of environments... it isn’t waterproof but it is ready for any level of non condensing humidity planet earth has to throw at it. Live is designed to operate in a complete spectrum of lighting conditions. It has the brightest touch screens available on a live console and powerful colour change LED’s throughout with the punch to remain crystal clear even in full daylight. There is a concealed light strip along the top of the front panel to illuminate the control surface in low lighting conditions. There are three front panel rotary controls to adjust brightness of the console: one each for the screens, control LEDs and light strip. These brightness controls respond to automation to aid blackouts.

The Console is not the only one who lives on the road so there is a front panel USB port which is there to enable complete show files to be saved and loaded via a USB drive. The automation system features an extremely powerful filter system which allows the operator to define on a global or per scene basis which settings will be recalled so that for example everything except Output Matrix EQ settings can be recalled for the show.

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