I actually love my B6, Ive mixed over 100 projects with it and love the versatility and sound I get and so do my clients. Everybody has their own opinion though
I purchased a second Big Six. I find them to be quite excellent for small projects. Very high sound and build quality with wonderful functionality. Of course a $38,000 SSL origin is better.
Depends on what you’re doing. I do music as a hobby. I don’t nor care to own a commercial studio anymore. Cause there is no money in it anymore. But for four pretty good mic pre’s, inserts for for any compressor’s and eq’s. It’s great. The eq’ section is limited but it works well and is very useful. Even the one knob channel compressor is pretty good. I have focusrite isa pre’s, la2a,1176,pulteq clones. Etc. They all work well in various ways in using the big6. So it’s definitely a person and use of what they are doing. Works for some people and not others. And I do use it to some channels to it individually for certain things. So it works well for me. And what I use it for.
ev7en if you got a SSL origin you still would want a few outboard pieces like distressors 1176 etc plus the main buss insert is waiting for that master processor that you could bypass with a click of a button.
The problem with this take, all too common on YT, is that you spend far too much time on gear/features and far less time on what's most important: making music. All of the "alternatives" mentioned here aren't. There are two alternatives to the Big Six when you look at *how people use it* - Tascam Model series and Soundcraft MTK series. With all these suggestions you've offered, you've complicated the streamlined process of working that these three options provide. There is no vibe at all to what you suggest-a patchwork mishmash of components. The three USB multi-channel units I mentioned have the vibe of making music. They're units you can master and get to know intimately so that when you have a project, you make music with it. With your approach, everything is replaceable, the gear lust never ends, and you're always having to interrupt the way you work. I have a Tascam Model 16 and I love it because I know it well and I know how to make music with it and I don't have to worry about a half dozen other companies and their constant changes and updates. My vibe is bliss. :)
Those are not apples to apples, and they don’t deal with any of the points that I made in the video. Those are products designed for a completely different purpose. A valid purpose, however, much different than what the big six was designed to achieve.
@@BarryJohns Well, I'll put @jamesbatcho's point more succinctly: SSL describes the Big Six as a *mixer*. You didn't describe a single mixer alternative. I've considered the Big Six because I'm looking to step up from a small-format mixer in my home studio. I was really intrigued by your video title, hoping to learn of a really good quality small console that I overlooked. For what I was looking for, your video comes across as clickbait. Sure, you offered good alternatives for several different things the B6 could be used for besides it's main purpose. But it's sold first and foremost as a *mixer*. So it's just bizarre to me to find that, by the time I reached the end of your video, you didn't address mixing at all. I mean, how is any of what you recommend more of an "apple" to the B6 than a Tascam Model X or Soundcraft MTK? If someone in this exchange is not comparing apples to apples, it's Barry Johns. I get all the criticisms (and it's valuable to hear them addressed clearly). But, being a mixer, B6 is a system. Even considered together, the various parts you recommend don't add up to the same system in terms of mixing/routing capability. Maybe you should have done the summing mixer video first....
@@BarryJohnsI think you either used the Big Six wrong, or you don’t really understand the kind of workflow the Big Six was meant to achieve. I’ve used the Arturia AudioFuse before, and it doesn’t compare IN ANY WAY to the SSL Big Six. And Focusrite Scarlett? Come on Barry. And you say the SSL doesn’t “really” sum, well that’s not true. You say the EQs and compressors are unusable, that is definitely not true. The 1 channel compressors and the G Bus comp sound better than any plugin alternatives. They are limited in control only, but very useable on drums, synths vocals guitars you name it. The SSL Big Six is basically a modern mini console with huge sound which has analog summing and a class compliant audio interface (future proof so no drivers needed on MacOS) built with multiple analog EQs and compressors. When you go out from your DAW via USB you do have full volume control of your faders, no they aren’t motorized but functions like that would only raise the price of the Big Six for a luxury feature. Your take on the Big Six is unnecessarily negative in my opinion. It’s not the greatest thing ever but it’s certainly a true studio beast in the right hands.
True...people tend to forget that its not just about recording but also about the live interaction with a mixer during the musical process...look at king tubby or other dub reggae legends, using the mixer as a real Instrument, you can do much more than with a 19 inch rack usb sound interface.the interfaces lack the handson playing twisting while possibly summing your audio from the computer...sure, in a classic recording setup where you record one part after the other,there are tons of better possibilities, here i give the flowers to barry,but there is a market for big six users definetely, because real alternatives are quite rare...tascam models, mackies with usb per channel recording have their advantages but im sure ssl is superior in terms of routing. Comparing a mixer to some audiointerfaces is per se legimitate, in terms of sound quality, but not in terms of interacting with a mixer in a creative way, e.g. mad Professor, lee perry, google up these legends if music and see what is meant..on the other hand a lot of music is created in a classic way, whereas there are other options than big six. Not all musicians are that deep into buying a lot of hardware, nor all the connecting buzz...b6 is quite easy going..less cables from the daw to the mixer no cable needed, much less connecting disconnecting work, so for a lot of folks who try to avoid the studio cable hussle, its legitimate, who knows how many creative people out there in small project studios need exactly that kind of flexibility and sweetspot.. For expansion, big six probably isnt the right thing as its very niche. I also have a friend who despises big 6. I was in the market for obe but still havent decided yet which route to go..personnaly, i like tonhave the ability to sum or mix down at least partially analog, as i believe that certain tracks of songs can breathe better in the mix...i am talking from a non professional Perspektive here..i do that just for fun. Fot my fun, i need a mixer to play with my diverse audio, be it from daw, live Instrument or whatever...we jam lively...i work currently with a allen heath zed18, a focusrite scarlett and a a designs mp2 preamp for recording...this setup gives me good enough flexibility for my purposes, saying this, i know this setup is at the lower end of what you might call flexibility, as the mixer isnt that flexible... As for expandibility, b6 isnt the way to go, but hey, you can sell it at any given time when its necessary or you feel you outgrow the system...
I tend to agree with you on this. I purchased a big six a couple years ago. I love it but I agree with you 100%. Thankfully I have the budget to buy other gear and I don't use 100% of the features of the Big Six. I use it for tracking. Now that I've built my new studio PC I'm planning to add a PCI-e RME card and some RME converters. The Big Six will remain for tracking and for simple hip hop mixes. I'm not an audio professional and so my use case is not the same as many others. I'm not trying to make money off music or off my studio, it's a hobby.
Hey Barry, enjoy what you do here in this channel. Appreciate the transparency and encourage you to keep going and keep up the great work. On another note, I would like to give my 2 cents on the Heritage Pre Amps. I know that some people might not have this issue but I've had issues with Heritage Pre Amps before. After a few months to a year, the pre amp no longer functioned. I brought it to the attention of Sweetwater a few times since I did a few tests on the unit. They had previously replaced a 1176 compressor that I sent back to them as well. I am an engineer by trait. I would advice some folks to keep this in mind. One thing I noticed about Sweetwater is that they had deleted a very professional and detailed but fair comment I made about this Unit on their Website. I found this to be strange.
I have the SSL Six paired with the Cranborne ADAT which I use with my old Motu Ultralite mk4 Interface. I agree with Barry about the EQ and the compressor, hence why I use better units inserted into those channels from the Cranborne. The Cranborne is also super excellent with the adat in and out which makes processing super fast. The ADAT in and out was what is fundamentally missing from the Big Six.
Hey. I'm new to the channel and have been looking to buy the big six for certain reasons. I realised that my Allan and heath 6 channel which is semi retired in a box will fix all but my routing issues, which aren't a super big deal. Thanks for saving me! I'll spend a fraction of that buying a vermona synth instead for now! Subscribed
I'm really glad you made this these videos. I've been making steps out-of-the-box the last few years and during that time really considered the Big Six. Instead have opted to piece meal various gear. I feel like you've given me confirmation I made the right decision.
Just got through the whole video -- Agree 100%. I own a big six but I don't often use the bus comp on it. I make very light use of the EQs. I use the PAN pots a lot, I think they give a wider / more authentic PAN than the PAN pots in the MPC software when I am using the MPC (which I am trying to get away from currently). I use the big six for tracking vocals, a Vox Continental 73 key digital keyboard, some bass guitars/an acoustic guitar, a sub37 synth and some drum machines/synths, It's the "centerpiece" but I am planning to expand beyond it with RME or Lynx on the interface side (most likely). Reallty looking at the Lynx E22 but it's a little old at this point, RME may be the way to go. I also have an audioscape buss comp that I use, a great river preamp, a Maag 2pre, some outboard EQs etc. The SSL Big Six is great but it's not for most people IMO. You really need a lot of other gear to pair with it and at that point you're not using as many of the features of the big six. I do really like the monitor controller and foldback section. I love that it has the "SUM I/P" on the back of it that gets summed to main buss (I do think you're being a little heavy handed by saying its not "true" summing -- it is in my less experienced opinion -- although theres better summing options out there). All in all it's a great piece of kit but for somebody on a tighter budget who is putting that much $ into a piece of gear without much else in their studio.... it's the WRONG choice. Absolutely a great piece of kit but I want to have a more portable audio interface as well and also want to have better EQ/Preamp/Compression options. There are many better options out there and analog isn't all it's hyped up to be. If you invest in a good recording PC rig (or Mac rig) and high quality plugins you can do way better in the box and spend that $3000 on better preamps, Arturia Audiofuse and a buss comp.
Sorry Barry, I didn't find your review too relevent in my world. Though I don;t own one, I could see how the Big 6 could be a very useful piece of gear. For example, I work in a hybrid digital / analog setup with emphisys on the analog side. My setup is built upon 90's and 2000 era equipment by design and value. I have been considering upgrading my 90's Tascam 16 channel, 8 bus console to something better. I'm looking for more headroom and a higher quality stereo bus.There isnt a lot to pick from in the under $ 5,000.00 market consle-wise. A used Toft ATB comes to mind. I beleive I would use the Big 6 strictly as a fader controlled summing mixer. I'm not that excited about using a software faders control surface I don't want the complextity of motorized faders either. I would still run my Black Lion Digi 003 audio interface into the Big 6. I would use the Big 6 strictly for mixing and stems. I would continue to use my current external pre amps to record into the Digi 003.The biggest holdback for me is the Big 6 only has 2 aux sends. The I use many hardware delays, reverbs, ect. Toft ATB has 6 aux sends for example. If I was willing to streamline my effects I think the Big 6 could be a good choice. The other directon is to purchase a hardware summing mixer and build around that. For now, I'm going to stay as is hardware-wise and continue to focus on my musical and engineering skills which is always the best investment we can make.
I have a Big 6. Adequate quality and Perfect for my limited space and use case (the example Barry mentioned - synths drum machines samplers ) w little bit of mic & guitar in
honestly i use the big six and love it I'm a producer and my studio consists of synths drum machines some live instruments, outboard gear and tape machines. If I didn't use the big six my next would be ua apollo and using the console for some unision pres going into pro tools. i don't think there's a product on the market that works as well as the big siix for me and I have other audio interfaces but having multiple hiz lines pre amps comps, eq's sends and inserts to patch into guitar pedals and outboard as well as routing whole loops to a send going to tape machines for creating samples to use in production I think its one of the best interfaces/mixers on the market because nothing else would offer the value it has for my workflow, I can run the SSL pre's into an insert with a neve preamp and get the colour of both and then send to outboard with the press of one button on the mixer and make decisions in the creative process that I couldn't with a standard audio interface. like I said if not the SSL big six id run a uad apollo x8p and x16 which is a lot more money and honestly not sure how much more quality compared to the SSL, since all uad plugins are now native. i think people overlook how well the big six 4 insert channels pair well with outboard a small lunch box with so o/b eq's and dynamics or other preamp colours and you could have even more versatility I also just use mac studio aggregate device and run another audio interface if I ever need more than the 12 inputs but in the genres I work in it's never been an issue. If I bought 4 six 500 series channels and a g bus it would cost me 2280 eur 80 less than the SSL big six
The step up to Apollo is definitely a step up in quality. The question is whether the increase in cost is worth it to you. Only you can answer that question for yourself.
I was on the brink of getting the SSL Big Six because of the summing and G Bus. I’m glad I didn’t after thorough research. I settled for a Dangerous D Box. I went ahead and got two 500 series SSL Six channel strips. I used them for drums and synths. I like how I can change the tone of it. Also I recorded vocals through it but used the Warm 73 and WA on the way in . Plus my 500 series chassis is by Heritage Audio with ADAT. So I’m am getting good converters with this. I was able to get two 500 Warm Tone beast pre amps. So glad I went this route. It was very flexible and gave me a lot of options.
@ Nah bruh! 🤦🏾♂️ The SSL Big Six is better than a Dangerous Music D-Box Summing Mixer???? You don’t know how to use a Dangerous D Box. I learned from pros on how to use it. Studied the manual and then made my purchase. I have two SSL six 500 series channels strips. I use that in the stereo mix chain. So I already know how that sounds. My clients are happy with the results. 💪🏾💯
You’re missing the point Barry. The USP with the Big 6 , is a hybrid mixing and tracking solution albeit limited , To record track, mix and record with esteemed SSL analogue circuitry and preamps , seamlessly in and out the box (DAW). Why would you suggest conventional audio interfaces , with the added presumption that people have additional outboard gear to use for sonic processing ( EQ’s Compressors) etc. They may not have these additional resources hence their reason to purchase the Big 6, that provides that solution for them at that price . That advice is quite redundant in my opinion.💁🏾♂️ Btw RME /Motu owner considering Big 6 for purchase.
Personally, I think to call the Big 6 a 'very, very, very mediocre' unit an extensive exaggeration in all honesty and such talk more aptly describes the Scarlett or Warm Audio 1176 you recommend so highly in your affiliate links.... The KT 76, well that's possibly one step below budget in all honesty ...terrible noise floor so that it's rather like the Six channel EQ you describe as 'just unusable'... 😂 I Have the smaller Six and it's easily one of the best studio investments I've made to date ... a well-built, versatile, analogue mixing desk with so many routing options... it does what I need perfectly ... I think the evolution of the Big 6 was SSL's reaction to the widespread consumer requests at the time for more channels/analogue inputs than the smaller 6 offered and they choose to have it host a basic direct interface as a secondary convenience for some users... The whole SSL vibe is super analogue mic pres that do a good job without the need for dedicated mic preamps....no SPDIF/ADAT or motorized faders are required ... why would you include them as an unnecessary cost to pass on? Also it's a mixing console and that's how it should be regarded...you talk of 'similar conversion' but that's not what Six is about or even the primary function of a mixing console but rather the converters role... So conversion quality doesn't matter when it comes to considering how good a mixing console is or isn't ... let's face facts in stating that the converters/Mic Pres on the Scarlett or Audiofuse are NOT the best quality either.... Why include Digital conversion in your argument? Why would you invest in a good 1176 clone or bus compressor if you intend to 'cheap out' on the converters? It makes no sense and renders the more expensive gear pretty much useless if you're then using a Scarlett to subsequently print your tracks or record your instruments? It would be more relevant for you to recommend a similarly priced mixing console and also stress the importance of good conversion... if you can afford it then maybe get a Burl/Dangerous Music A/D/RME 1620 to pair with your Bus compressor ... it's a meaningless comparison. The extensive SSL ecosystem covers motorized faders/DAW control in great depth with the UF8/UF1/UC1 and these units work flawlessly alongside Six whose intended use is in the routing of analogue signals rather than assigning some secondary DAW functions or automated fader control etc... For me the real beauty lies in the streamlined routing options and workflow/hands on approach... personally, I think it's the best desktop mixer by some distance in a market that is already saturated with 1176 clones and I don't understand why you are recommending a Scarlett paired with some halfway decent attempt to emulate the iconic G Bus compressor/Listen Mic Compressor. Where are the filters, EQ's, Channel compression, hardware Inserts & Sends, talkback, LMC or G Bus Compressor on the Audiofuse or Focusrite? You go on to mention mic pres when those included on the Scarlett are much worse than those on the SSL... Why would you attempt to replace the G Bus circuit with budget gear that is attempting to replicate it... These 'options' you provide don't compare in any logical way or contain on board gear that is far below what the Big Six houses... It also does the analogue summing thing pretty well...in effect you are just running your collected channel count through analogue circuitry to impart flavour and it definitely does this ... The audiofuse is an interface/ADAT expander with limited digital connectivity whereas the Big Six's primary function is as an analogue mixer in a live recording environment that happens to house a USB interface also... they are not the same thing in any way and it's not a fair comparison?
I love your honesty, Barry. I feel the same about the Big Six. I’m a huge fan of SSl who owns a couple of SSl outboard units, but I think SSL has been cheapening their product line with products like the big six. All audio samples I’ve heard from the big six don’t sound good and I’ve heard plenty of people complaining about quality issues. I also think having six faders makes no sense. They should’ve made an 8 channel board and made the price more expensive to improve quality IMO.
That's pretty much exactly what I expected. No real alternative to the Big Six was mentioned, just individual components that are more expensive in total. For the price of a Big Six, you can just about get an AudioFuse 16Rig and Warm Audio WA 412 and ultimately have no hardware mixer. No (even simple) analog EQs, no buss compressor, no switchable, balanced inserts etc. and the things you mentioned are also only mediocre. I think it's good that you at least made a follow-up video to explain what you think is a better alternative, even if I don't share your opinion.
@@BarryJohns I'm afraid it's the other way around. Your video has missed the point. If I want a hardware mixer for reasons, I don't want to be suggested audio interfaces and some outboard gear instead.
No again, you have in fact, missed the point. You’re picking and choosing what you wanna hear rather than everything I said. I made it very, very clear that my points were not going to apply to everyone. But rather the law averages based upon my 30 years of experience, helping people with their studio.
Bottom line for me -if the Big Six had the actual ssl sound (and eqs) then keeping it would be a no brainer -despite the shitty issue of having no way to expand it. Because of this video I satisfyingly jumped into audiofuse world and really surprised just how noticeable the sound quality improvement is. You have really helped me by speaking on the very issue ive been dealing with - really thanks because I unexpectedly gained a refreshed ability to find joy just listening to music for pleasure again.
Wow, I'm really surprised I didn't see any of the Tascam Model series in here! For a home studio the Model 12 or Model 16 is a fantastic option! I have a Model 24 I use for my live work and it's freaking fantastic. I can even run Waves SuperRack Performer with it so I'm using many of the same tools I use in my studio, live. It really makes it a game changer! The pre amps sound amazing. The compressor is a one knob compressor but it has a very similar sound to the compressor you would find on the Big Six. I know this because I have a 500 series Six Channel strip which has the compressor on it. The EQ is also fully featured as well. Now the Model 24 is the only one in the line with a fully analog signal path but I don't think that matter much honestly. The Model 12 and Model 16 only have analog inputs. Everything after it is digital but again, they both still sound great. I get what you are going for here. A smaller setup with only a few channels but I do think the Model series would be more "in line" with the Big Six.
The Tascam is excellent for its price that said, there are much better options for the masses. Please understand, I can never cover everyone’s individual needs.
i switched just to your alternavies and even if you sum them they don't do what the B6 does! It just don't fits your needs, thats OK! so why make this product bad? i use my B6 with joy since 2 years, of course only the B6 would not fit to all my needs but its the centerpiece of my analog gear! i use it togheter with an RME UFX2 where i have addidional ins/outs. I use the B6 for recording and summing. i record with the B6 and the UFX2, i sum with the B6 and the UFX2, i use the UFX OUTS (12 if i use even the headphone OUTS) to go into analog Mixer, the Mixer outs goes into the B6 "sum to main" . I can sum 4 mono Ch and 4 stereo Ch on the B6 and 12 channels on the UFX2. I use the Masterbus insert for inserting analog compressors and EQ. I use the 4 mono CH inserts for analog comps and eqs toghether with the onboard EQ and comp. i use the gain on the stereo ch for slight overdrive/compression on those tracks. i use the stereo cues for parallel compression and effects. i use the LMC for compressed roommic and drums recording. i use the G-Bus comp for soft final compression. i do a lot of things with the B6 that no other device could do in this price range and of course i would be happy if it had more features but its a 2,5K Mixer and not a 10K features mixer like you expect.
I just mixed and mastered the 5th track since I got the B6. Its way better that before, and have so many different ways to aproach each mix… I want to buy neve preamp to have different flavours, and love to have some outboard for the master inserts… the summing part of the console is way better and dimensional than being in the box. For me the B6 is the heart of the studio, it offers great tone for profesional sounding audio, but for more control and improving quality on the processing, I’m planning on getting some outboard gear. But is kind of a big unjustice to say the B6 has mediocre things… is just nonsense. David kesherbaum Works at home with 2 of these units… the guy worked with duran duran, Bryan adams too… of course it must be a good unit… dont you think?
I've looked at the Big Six because of the SSL name and it's home studio friendly size, but as always, my budget just laughs at me. Since you're offering other options that we might buy, one of which is an honorable mention of the Avid MBox Studio, I'd like to ask you if you'd EVER consider reviewing the Tascam Model 12? It's been out for years, but so has the BigSix. For those of us who are monetarily disadvantaged, I'm of the opinion that the Model 12's value proposition is WAY above it's price range and a better unit than the MBox. It has plenty of inputs for the recording side, an audio interface included, inserts for outboard gear, onboard preamps that are every bit as good as the MBox, a built in recorder that you can overdub with or transfer tracks to your DAW and more. I feel like it's EQ capabilities are adequate, and it's one knob compressor is a little lacking, but still very usable. It's probably not considered PRO gear, but I'd still love to hear your opinion. What about it???
I use the ssl big six. I honestly feel like most don’t use it to its full potential. Inserts on the mono channels and the inserts on the master channel make it versatile (to me) running channels back and forth to & from the daw is easy as it comes. Even using daw effects as send fx for the console is great. However I don’t have experience with top grade ssl consoles so I’ll take a neutral stance.
Agree Barry, not the quality of my other SSL gear! Compared to my other gear it is the weak link in the chain. When I patch it in it degrades the signal.
Performance is results minus expectations. That means for two different sets of expectations, performance can be different for the exact same results. The Big.Six appears to me to be a utility mixer. This is just a swiss army knife, a jack of all trades, a master of none. I don't see an alternative utility mixer listed here in this video for a comparable price or feature set. I went from a Tascam M-08 utility mixer to this, so the Big Six has far and away a better set of features than the M-08. We could look at the affordable Tascam Model 12 but I like the pre-amps, routing, and connectivity on the Big Six better than the Model 12. Both are good enough, but I like the SSL better, though. I kind of agree it should have the ADAT I/O and a better EQ/comp section, for the price. This utility mixer was available in early 2022, not sure why its a hot topic now, vs. then.
All the critiques made are 100% accurate - the preamps are good (in terms of noise floor and overall clarity they're excellent) but not colored, the per channel compression and eq is good but not flexible, and ultimately the Big Six is very limited in terms of channel count. However, if you tried buying each of these components on their own, there's absolutely no way you could do it for what the Big Six costs, not to mention the massive studio footprint that would require. It's not for nothing that The Big Six has 2 stereo sends, a sub group send, a main bus insert, inserts on the 4 XLR inputs etc etc. If you tried buying 4 XLR pre amps, 8 line in pre amps, 4 mono eq's, 4 stereo EQ's, 4 compressors, a mix bus compressor, a mixer for all that I/O, AD/DA converters etc etc then you'd be way way beyond the price point. Yes, you would have more flexibility if you bought each component, but that's the exact compromise the Big Six offers, which no other small format console style mixer has. I use this Big Six as a sidecar mixer for my drums, and because I have good enough mics and know how to place them, I can get away with 5 mics and I don't need fine grained EQ or compression, at least not on the front end. Tho the compression you can get on the Big Six sounds incredible when used on well recorded drums. There's not a single alternative on the market for that, i.e. for a drum sidecar. As others have stated, its competitors are the Model Series and the MTK series, neither of which get close to the Big Six in terms of fidelity, especially when it comes to compression.
I’m so torn between the WA73-Eq, the wa tone beast or the universal audio 710. The eq and clone nature of the 73 is very appealing, but the versatility of the tone beast and the tube-to-solid state option of the UA is also super appealing. I’d like to phone a friend and poll the audience for that lol
Those are two different pieces of gear aimed debt different things. The UA 710 is a fine piece of gear and I do recommend it. That said so is the WA 73. But one is simulating a knee and the other is going after a different type vibe. If I had my choice between those three, not owning any of them, I would actually go with the HA 73 by Heritage.
Have you tried and tested the Behringer 33609 clone? Many others are recommending it, and it would be quite flippant of you to simply disregard it on the name alone, without getting your hands on one. I recently purchased the Behringer 1273 pre amp, and I'm very satisfied with the unit. Also, both units come in at a very reasonable price point.
Sort of agree. I wish that they either focused on EQ or compression. Not this one knob EQ and one knob compressor thing. I feel like if it had a solid compressor a threshold and release without EQ or a 3 band EQ without a compressor, it would have been a much better product. I have seen and heard people running the Big Six as a small format sidecar mixer and loving it that way. Don't care enough for the midi faders but I wouldn't be mixing on it either. For me it would be more for tracking. They Big Six does make the regular Six seem like a fantastic deal tho when you compare the features per channel and the increased IO.
Great video - have a question on HA73. I just got one and used it as a hardware insert on the line in and im losing all my low end even with the eq bypassed - have you had that experience?
I much prefer the Alice 828 mk.3 mixing console, made in Britian, to the SSL Big Six. It's a much more vibey, old-school broadcast type mixer, with a heritage. The preamps have mojo than the SSL Big Six does not. It's not like the SSL Big Six gives you all the digital and analogue interfacing. So, I think it's better to get something more focused on just sounding really good and having a character. I'd also rather support a small builder than these big companies that mostly seem to be on the cash-in path, and are losing their soul, and losing track of their heritage.
The reason I am looking at the big 6 is I want to get my feet wet in working with a console. I have tried using motorized daw controllers and I just don’t like the workflow. Is there anything out there that is a small mixing console like that you would recommend over the big six? Would be nice if it has audio interface and the ability to control faders in the daw also. Daw control isn’t necessary but audio interface would be nice because I am due for an upgrade and I would like to avoid spending extra money right now on an audio interface.
I’ve heard good things about this one and you I can get in in smaller format as well for less. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Model2400--tascam-model-2400-24-channel-analog-recording-console That said, I can’t say either way.
I can't claim to have much experience from a technical perspective, but it seems to me that the solutions you're proposing instead of the B6 are going to run your bill up to 3 times as much. Is it really comparable? If you go out and spend upwards of 3 grand, of course you should be able to get better results. But it seems to me that to make it a valid comparison, it should be gear that is within a similar price range when you add it all up.
No, I’m not suggesting you by everything, you piece meal certain pieces together and come up with a great plan based upon your particular needs. I can assure you, you can put a great system together for the same price as you’re spending on the big six.
Barry pls do a detailed audio interface suggestions video for our current time SSL UAD APOGY and many more just released new ones and we need tech comparisons!
SSL should have updated the SSLxdesk version 2 and kept the price in the 2500-$3200 range..they 86th the Xrack and XDesk..I have both along with several eQ and dynamic modules, it gives me a small 16 channel Mini SSL console and I can insert whatever external units I want. Along with a 22 channel summing option. I never liked the newer consumer units
I can’t co-sign Warm Audio…. I don’t like their products. i rather use Audioscape … Buss compressor $699, MEQ-A Tube EQ $899, and V108 pre amp $599 (optional) or a optional OPTO Compressor $1099. With a Presonus Quantum HD 8 $999 interface…. So for $3696 most expensive option you have a far superior option imo.
Why don't you do some audio comparisons so we can here what you are on about. Show the settings you are using too. Just hearing your opinon doesn't mean anything unless you can back it up?
Would you happen to have any recommendations for studio ventilation and climate control? Just dealt with a mold problem and not looking to do that again
I totally agree with Barry’s sentiment. The Big Six was a failure it was a massive fail for multiple reasons but from my perspective no future made it a failure more than not having ADAT. As for a preamp, compressor and EQ they were completely trash too but depending on your source you could get maybe some use out of it.
@BarryJohns thanks for the follow up video. You addressed questions that I had, especially towards the end of the video. My two cents (as an owner of the Big Six) if you’re interested are … I have no regrets with my purchase even though I believe everything you have stated… and here is why… I don’t think the Big Six was made primarily for professional creators of a certain level… in other words, it’s more entry level than pro level. I’m not a pro and I’m therefore ok with that. Many … and probably most folks on TH-cam are probably in that bucket as well. I don’t think you get to grow in a field without trying different things and being innovative, especially with limitations. I believe a lot can be done with the unit, especially if you add analog inserts… is it the best way to do that? Probably not … but I think for Big Six users, the best thing to do is to use the unit to learn until they have genuinely outgrown it … and then matriculate to better gear that they will at that point be able to fully take advantage of. Thanks for explaining the alternatives based on your extensive experience. I’ll be keeping this in mind as I develop my skill set. You didn’t need to make the time for that but it’s sincerely appreciated.
Bought mine as soon as it was released. I've designed and built small consoles, and I chose this one rather than do it again. I've come to see that we will have to agree to differ on many many points.😁 BTW its specs and clarity equal a 9000 series and exceed the 4000s. I unsubscribed. TTFN.
After all of the smack I spoke in the comment, I sold my SSL Big Six for an Orion 32 + Gen 4 lol... yes it's digital, but it sounds so much better and has 32ins and outs with patch bays!
I don't think anybody should be buying focusrite Scarlett anything, honestly that line just needs to be discontinued because the their higher end stuff is great
Warm can be hit or miss some of their mics are great but the wa 273 I found to be garbage the plugin of a 1073 or 1084 sounded better after recording clean and adding the plugin after or if you have uad record with the plugin you can buy two bae 500 series used for a lil more expensive
As with any gear manufacturer, they’re gonna have successes and failures. I’ve had warm audio gear that I wanted to chunk in the trash, but I’ve also had warm audio gear. That was exceptional. The HA 73 falls into that last category. As does their WA2A, and they’re 1176.
For that price there are no alternatives to big six ,as a summing box there is nothing out there that do what the big six does ,with just one cable you can bring in groups /busses to the mixer and send them back to your DAW 😂..I want another big six
I think you are completely missing the point here... basically you are telling giraffes how to swim with dolphins, or you are trying to educate a goldfish on how to get on with a group of chimpanzees. You are completely missing the point on who the SSL B6 is made for, who SSL targeted with this device. Your studio knowledge is very in-depth and immense... I think that is exactly the "!problem"" here. You are beyond this level of gears. Which is fine. That's clear. Just don't try to retrospectively "explain" and justify this smartassery you present here. That's what puts most people off here.
So far it seems like the only people being turned off for people who bought the unit, which is understandable. People want to defend their buying decisions. To be honest with you, I never look at this from my perspective. I always look at it from the perspective of the average person, looking for a piece of gear. If you break down exactly what the big six does and put it into categories, that alone should be the reason you’re buying it or not buying it. When you compare each of those categories against other pieces of gear and piece them together, you get a much superior set of tools to work with.
I agree Barry. It was a massive fail. The mic pres are no better than your basic budget ones that come with the majority of interfaces and they gimped the EQ and compressor to basically being useless. It does not sound like an SSL nor is the quality of the past. Old school analog mixers will give you more features and be a better buy. I agree definitely chose other options.
Man...4x wa73eq + 4x wa76 + wa bus comp + audiofuse= $7500 circa. 3 times than big six...what are we talking about? And we don't have other feature. You missed the point, the money and have an all in one solution. ssl big six is a quality/price compromise. There's no other "mixer" that offer his quality at his price, that's why big six win
I’m sorry if I’m upset you because you’ve purchased one, however, I’ve actually done a video where I go over a better way to spend your money. Please don’t take it personal because I think that your choice could’ve been a better one. I know I’ve made lots of choices that I wish I’d made different choices on. You can choose to ignore my video if you want, that’s your right, of course But at least be open minded is all I ask you. It really is as simple as that. The only way to grow is to be open minded.
Yeah sure, instead of buying one single Big Six, we have to spend 10x as much on buying single components and to do that, you'll coincidently suggest us to use your affiliate links. Nice try.
Hey Barry. This video dropped right as I was about to ring up a used SSL big six on Reverb. This might be divine intervention? Haha! I will add that I manage to talk the seller down to $1500 Would you still argue that it’s not a good financial decision even at that price point? Really appreciate the feedback and I’m a huge fan of the channel. Thanks!
Barry! Love you man but you’re doing nobody any favors recommending WARM audio gear. Why them? They cut every corner they can. There are so many other better built products. black lion audio, heritage audio, audioscape, capi. BAE
I can say I bought the Apollo twin and the ssl2. The ssl2 blew it away. Apollo twin was like good headphones and the ssl sound leaped off the speakers surrounded the room on my ns10s and my mackies! And I have many other audio cards. Haven’t tried the big 6 but I’ll say the Ssl2 and ssl2 plus I have rivals my mackie 32c and mt mackie hard disc 24 track. Just saying.
I actually love my B6, Ive mixed over 100 projects with it and love the versatility and sound I get and so do my clients. Everybody has their own opinion though
I love mine too, can you give some names of bands you mixed? Would love to hear the final results!
I've got the smaller Six and it's awesome.
I purchased a second Big Six. I find them to be quite excellent for small projects. Very high sound and build quality with wonderful functionality. Of course a $38,000 SSL origin is better.
especially with outboard gear. Its more clear than the Neve summing mixer.
I do not use the built in audio interface.
I have a big six as well..I love it.
I have one…its great.
Depends on what you’re doing. I do music as a hobby. I don’t nor care to own a commercial studio anymore. Cause there is no money in it anymore.
But for four pretty good mic pre’s, inserts for for any compressor’s and eq’s. It’s great. The eq’ section is limited but it works well and is very useful.
Even the one knob channel compressor is pretty good. I have focusrite isa pre’s, la2a,1176,pulteq clones. Etc. They all work well in various ways in using the big6. So it’s definitely a person and use of what they are doing. Works for some people and not others. And I do use it to some channels to it individually for certain things. So it works well for me. And what I use it for.
ev7en if you got a SSL origin you still would want a few outboard pieces like distressors 1176 etc plus the main buss insert is waiting for that master processor that you could bypass with a click of a button.
The problem with this take, all too common on YT, is that you spend far too much time on gear/features and far less time on what's most important: making music. All of the "alternatives" mentioned here aren't. There are two alternatives to the Big Six when you look at *how people use it* - Tascam Model series and Soundcraft MTK series. With all these suggestions you've offered, you've complicated the streamlined process of working that these three options provide. There is no vibe at all to what you suggest-a patchwork mishmash of components. The three USB multi-channel units I mentioned have the vibe of making music. They're units you can master and get to know intimately so that when you have a project, you make music with it. With your approach, everything is replaceable, the gear lust never ends, and you're always having to interrupt the way you work. I have a Tascam Model 16 and I love it because I know it well and I know how to make music with it and I don't have to worry about a half dozen other companies and their constant changes and updates. My vibe is bliss. :)
Those are not apples to apples, and they don’t deal with any of the points that I made in the video. Those are products designed for a completely different purpose. A valid purpose, however, much different than what the big six was designed to achieve.
@@BarryJohns Well, I'll put @jamesbatcho's point more succinctly: SSL describes the Big Six as a *mixer*. You didn't describe a single mixer alternative. I've considered the Big Six because I'm looking to step up from a small-format mixer in my home studio. I was really intrigued by your video title, hoping to learn of a really good quality small console that I overlooked. For what I was looking for, your video comes across as clickbait. Sure, you offered good alternatives for several different things the B6 could be used for besides it's main purpose. But it's sold first and foremost as a *mixer*. So it's just bizarre to me to find that, by the time I reached the end of your video, you didn't address mixing at all. I mean, how is any of what you recommend more of an "apple" to the B6 than a Tascam Model X or Soundcraft MTK? If someone in this exchange is not comparing apples to apples, it's Barry Johns. I get all the criticisms (and it's valuable to hear them addressed clearly). But, being a mixer, B6 is a system. Even considered together, the various parts you recommend don't add up to the same system in terms of mixing/routing capability. Maybe you should have done the summing mixer video first....
@@BarryJohns Big Six, Model series, MTK series are all apples, both as gear and as used by an engineer. I don't understand your comment at all.
@@BarryJohnsI think you either used the Big Six wrong, or you don’t really understand the kind of workflow the Big Six was meant to achieve. I’ve used the Arturia AudioFuse before, and it doesn’t compare IN ANY WAY to the SSL Big Six. And Focusrite Scarlett? Come on Barry.
And you say the SSL doesn’t “really” sum, well that’s not true. You say the EQs and compressors are unusable, that is definitely not true. The 1 channel compressors and the G Bus comp sound better than any plugin alternatives. They are limited in control only, but very useable on drums, synths vocals guitars you name it.
The SSL Big Six is basically a modern mini console with huge sound which has analog summing and a class compliant audio interface (future proof so no drivers needed on MacOS) built with multiple analog EQs and compressors.
When you go out from your DAW via USB you do have full volume control of your faders, no they aren’t motorized but functions like that would only raise the price of the Big Six for a luxury feature.
Your take on the Big Six is unnecessarily negative in my opinion. It’s not the greatest thing ever but it’s certainly a true studio beast in the right hands.
True...people tend to forget that its not just about recording but also about the live interaction with a mixer during the musical process...look at king tubby or other dub reggae legends, using the mixer as a real Instrument, you can do much more than with a 19 inch rack usb sound interface.the interfaces lack the handson playing twisting while possibly summing your audio from the computer...sure, in a classic recording setup where you record one part after the other,there are tons of better possibilities, here i give the flowers to barry,but there is a market for big six users definetely, because real alternatives are quite rare...tascam models, mackies with usb per channel recording have their advantages but im sure ssl is superior in terms of routing.
Comparing a mixer to some audiointerfaces is per se legimitate, in terms of sound quality, but not in terms of interacting with a mixer in a creative way, e.g. mad Professor, lee perry, google up these legends if music and see what is meant..on the other hand a lot of music is created in a classic way, whereas there are other options than big six.
Not all musicians are that deep into buying a lot of hardware, nor all the connecting buzz...b6 is quite easy going..less cables from the daw to the mixer no cable needed, much less connecting disconnecting work, so for a lot of folks who try to avoid the studio cable hussle, its legitimate, who knows how many creative people out there in small project studios need exactly that kind of flexibility and sweetspot..
For expansion, big six probably isnt the right thing as its very niche. I also have a friend who despises big 6. I was in the market for obe but still havent decided yet which route to go..personnaly, i like tonhave the ability to sum or mix down at least partially analog, as i believe that certain tracks of songs can breathe better in the mix...i am talking from a non professional Perspektive here..i do that just for fun. Fot my fun, i need a mixer to play with my diverse audio, be it from daw, live Instrument or whatever...we jam lively...i work currently with a allen heath zed18, a focusrite scarlett and a a designs mp2 preamp for recording...this setup gives me good enough flexibility for my purposes, saying this, i know this setup is at the lower end of what you might call flexibility, as the mixer isnt that flexible...
As for expandibility, b6 isnt the way to go, but hey, you can sell it at any given time when its necessary or you feel you outgrow the system...
Big six is so good, I want another one to pair up.
I tend to agree with you on this. I purchased a big six a couple years ago. I love it but I agree with you 100%. Thankfully I have the budget to buy other gear and I don't use 100% of the features of the Big Six. I use it for tracking. Now that I've built my new studio PC I'm planning to add a PCI-e RME card and some RME converters. The Big Six will remain for tracking and for simple hip hop mixes. I'm not an audio professional and so my use case is not the same as many others. I'm not trying to make money off music or off my studio, it's a hobby.
Hey Barry, enjoy what you do here in this channel. Appreciate the transparency and encourage you to keep going and keep up the great work. On another note, I would like to give my 2 cents on the Heritage Pre Amps. I know that some people might not have this issue but I've had issues with Heritage Pre Amps before. After a few months to a year, the pre amp no longer functioned. I brought it to the attention of Sweetwater a few times since I did a few tests on the unit. They had previously replaced a 1176 compressor that I sent back to them as well. I am an engineer by trait. I would advice some folks to keep this in mind. One thing I noticed about Sweetwater is that they had deleted a very professional and detailed but fair comment I made about this Unit on their Website. I found this to be strange.
Hum
I like the sound of it
I appreciate your honesty over everything else, Barry! Great work on the vids, thanks for the hard work you do, I enjoy your content!
I have the SSL Six paired with the Cranborne ADAT which I use with my old Motu Ultralite mk4 Interface. I agree with Barry about the EQ and the compressor, hence why I use better units inserted into those channels from the Cranborne. The Cranborne is also super excellent with the adat in and out which makes processing super fast.
The ADAT in and out was what is fundamentally missing from the Big Six.
This.
Hey. I'm new to the channel and have been looking to buy the big six for certain reasons. I realised that my Allan and heath 6 channel which is semi retired in a box will fix all but my routing issues, which aren't a super big deal. Thanks for saving me! I'll spend a fraction of that buying a vermona synth instead for now! Subscribed
I'm really glad you made this these videos. I've been making steps out-of-the-box the last few years and during that time really considered the Big Six. Instead have opted to piece meal various gear. I feel like you've given me confirmation I made the right decision.
Just got through the whole video -- Agree 100%. I own a big six but I don't often use the bus comp on it. I make very light use of the EQs. I use the PAN pots a lot, I think they give a wider / more authentic PAN than the PAN pots in the MPC software when I am using the MPC (which I am trying to get away from currently).
I use the big six for tracking vocals, a Vox Continental 73 key digital keyboard, some bass guitars/an acoustic guitar, a sub37 synth and some drum machines/synths,
It's the "centerpiece" but I am planning to expand beyond it with RME or Lynx on the interface side (most likely). Reallty looking at the Lynx E22 but it's a little old at this point, RME may be the way to go. I also have an audioscape buss comp that I use, a great river preamp, a Maag 2pre, some outboard EQs etc.
The SSL Big Six is great but it's not for most people IMO. You really need a lot of other gear to pair with it and at that point you're not using as many of the features of the big six. I do really like the monitor controller and foldback section. I love that it has the "SUM I/P" on the back of it that gets summed to main buss (I do think you're being a little heavy handed by saying its not "true" summing -- it is in my less experienced opinion -- although theres better summing options out there).
All in all it's a great piece of kit but for somebody on a tighter budget who is putting that much $ into a piece of gear without much else in their studio.... it's the WRONG choice.
Absolutely a great piece of kit but I want to have a more portable audio interface as well and also want to have better EQ/Preamp/Compression options.
There are many better options out there and analog isn't all it's hyped up to be. If you invest in a good recording PC rig (or Mac rig) and high quality plugins you can do way better in the box and spend that $3000 on better preamps, Arturia Audiofuse and a buss comp.
Sorry Barry, I didn't find your review too relevent in my world. Though I don;t own one, I could see how the Big 6 could be a very useful piece of gear. For example, I work in a hybrid digital / analog setup with emphisys on the analog side. My setup is built upon 90's and 2000 era equipment by design and value. I have been considering upgrading my 90's Tascam 16 channel, 8 bus console to something better. I'm looking for more headroom and a higher quality stereo bus.There isnt a lot to pick from in the under $ 5,000.00 market consle-wise. A used Toft ATB comes to mind. I beleive I would use the Big 6 strictly as a fader controlled summing mixer. I'm not that excited about using a software faders control surface I don't want the complextity of motorized faders either. I would still run my Black Lion Digi 003 audio interface into the Big 6. I would use the Big 6 strictly for mixing and stems. I would continue to use my current external pre amps to record into the Digi 003.The biggest holdback for me is the Big 6 only has 2 aux sends. The I use many hardware delays, reverbs, ect. Toft ATB has 6 aux sends for example. If I was willing to streamline my effects I think the Big 6 could be a good choice. The other directon is to purchase a hardware summing mixer and build around that. For now, I'm going to stay as is hardware-wise and continue to focus on my musical and engineering skills which is always the best investment we can make.
I have a Big 6. Adequate quality and Perfect for my limited space and use case (the example Barry mentioned - synths drum machines samplers ) w little bit of mic & guitar in
honestly i use the big six and love it I'm a producer and my studio consists of synths drum machines some live instruments, outboard gear and tape machines. If I didn't use the big six my next would be ua apollo and using the console for some unision pres going into pro tools. i don't think there's a product on the market that works as well as the big siix for me and I have other audio interfaces but having multiple hiz lines pre amps comps, eq's sends and inserts to patch into guitar pedals and outboard as well as routing whole loops to a send going to tape machines for creating samples to use in production I think its one of the best interfaces/mixers on the market because nothing else would offer the value it has for my workflow, I can run the SSL pre's into an insert with a neve preamp and get the colour of both and then send to outboard with the press of one button on the mixer and make decisions in the creative process that I couldn't with a standard audio interface. like I said if not the SSL big six id run a uad apollo x8p and x16 which is a lot more money and honestly not sure how much more quality compared to the SSL, since all uad plugins are now native. i think people overlook how well the big six 4 insert channels pair well with outboard a small lunch box with so o/b eq's and dynamics or other preamp colours and you could have even more versatility I also just use mac studio aggregate device and run another audio interface if I ever need more than the 12 inputs but in the genres I work in it's never been an issue. If I bought 4 six 500 series channels and a g bus it would cost me 2280 eur 80 less than the SSL big six
The step up to Apollo is definitely a step up in quality. The question is whether the increase in cost is worth it to you. Only you can answer that question for yourself.
I was on the brink of getting the SSL Big Six because of the summing and G Bus. I’m glad I didn’t after thorough research. I settled for a Dangerous D Box.
I went ahead and got two 500 series SSL Six channel strips. I used them for drums and synths. I like how I can change the tone of it. Also I recorded vocals through it but used the Warm 73 and WA on the way in . Plus my 500 series chassis is by Heritage Audio with ADAT. So I’m am getting good converters with this. I was able to get two 500 Warm Tone beast pre amps.
So glad I went this route. It was very flexible and gave me a lot of options.
The big six is better than what you have ,I have bother of them ,the d box is useless by itself
@ Nah bruh! 🤦🏾♂️ The SSL Big Six is better than a Dangerous Music D-Box Summing Mixer????
You don’t know how to use a Dangerous D Box. I learned from pros on how to use it. Studied the manual and then made my purchase. I have two SSL six 500 series channels strips. I use that in the stereo mix chain. So I already know how that sounds. My clients are happy with the results. 💪🏾💯
You’re missing the point Barry. The USP with the Big 6 , is a hybrid mixing and tracking solution albeit limited ,
To record track, mix and record with esteemed SSL analogue circuitry and preamps , seamlessly in and out the box (DAW).
Why would you suggest conventional audio interfaces , with the added presumption that people have additional outboard gear to use for sonic processing ( EQ’s Compressors) etc.
They may not have these additional resources hence their reason to purchase the Big 6, that provides that solution for them at that price .
That advice is quite redundant in my opinion.💁🏾♂️
Btw RME /Motu owner considering Big 6 for purchase.
Because I got lots of comments on the original video. Of course I realize it’s usb, which is why I included interface options.
@@BarryJohns USP, acronym for Unique Selling Point, not USB.
Forgive me for not being clear .🤩
I love your Vlogs BTW, I am a fan.
Personally, I think to call the Big 6 a 'very, very, very mediocre' unit an extensive exaggeration in all honesty and such talk more aptly describes the Scarlett or Warm Audio 1176 you recommend so highly in your affiliate links....
The KT 76, well that's possibly one step below budget in all honesty ...terrible noise floor so that it's rather like the Six channel EQ you describe as 'just unusable'... 😂
I Have the smaller Six and it's easily one of the best studio investments I've made to date ... a well-built, versatile, analogue mixing desk with so many routing options... it does what I need perfectly ... I think the evolution of the Big 6 was SSL's reaction to the widespread consumer requests at the time for more channels/analogue inputs than the smaller 6 offered and they choose to have it host a basic direct interface as a secondary convenience for some users...
The whole SSL vibe is super analogue mic pres that do a good job without the need for dedicated mic preamps....no SPDIF/ADAT or motorized faders are required ... why would you include them as an unnecessary cost to pass on?
Also it's a mixing console and that's how it should be regarded...you talk of 'similar conversion' but that's not what Six is about or even the primary function of a mixing console but rather the converters role...
So conversion quality doesn't matter when it comes to considering how good a mixing console is or isn't ... let's face facts in stating that the converters/Mic Pres on the Scarlett or Audiofuse are NOT the best quality either....
Why include Digital conversion in your argument?
Why would you invest in a good 1176 clone or bus compressor if you intend to 'cheap out' on the converters?
It makes no sense and renders the more expensive gear pretty much useless if you're then using a Scarlett to subsequently print your tracks or record your instruments?
It would be more relevant for you to recommend a similarly priced mixing console and also stress the importance of good conversion...
if you can afford it then maybe get a Burl/Dangerous Music A/D/RME 1620 to pair with your Bus compressor ... it's a meaningless comparison.
The extensive SSL ecosystem covers motorized faders/DAW control in great depth with the UF8/UF1/UC1 and these units work flawlessly alongside Six whose intended use is in the routing of analogue signals rather than assigning some secondary DAW functions or automated fader control etc...
For me the real beauty lies in the streamlined routing options and workflow/hands on approach...
personally, I think it's the best desktop mixer by some distance in a market that is already saturated with 1176 clones and I don't understand why you are recommending a Scarlett paired with some halfway decent attempt to emulate the iconic G Bus compressor/Listen Mic Compressor.
Where are the filters, EQ's, Channel compression, hardware Inserts & Sends, talkback, LMC or G Bus Compressor on the Audiofuse or Focusrite?
You go on to mention mic pres when those included on the Scarlett are much worse than those on the SSL...
Why would you attempt to replace the G Bus circuit with budget gear that is attempting to replicate it...
These 'options' you provide don't compare in any logical way or contain on board gear that is far below what the Big Six houses...
It also does the analogue summing thing pretty well...in effect you are just running your collected channel count through analogue circuitry to impart flavour and it definitely does this ...
The audiofuse is an interface/ADAT expander with limited digital connectivity whereas the Big Six's primary function is as an analogue mixer in a live recording environment that happens to house a USB interface also...
they are not the same thing in any way and it's not a fair comparison?
I love your honesty, Barry. I feel the same about the Big Six. I’m a huge fan of SSl who owns a couple of SSl outboard units, but I think SSL has been cheapening their product line with products like the big six. All audio samples I’ve heard from the big six don’t sound good and I’ve heard plenty of people complaining about quality issues. I also think having six faders makes no sense. They should’ve made an 8 channel board and made the price more expensive to improve quality IMO.
That's pretty much exactly what I expected. No real alternative to the Big Six was mentioned, just individual components that are more expensive in total. For the price of a Big Six, you can just about get an AudioFuse 16Rig and Warm Audio WA 412 and ultimately have no hardware mixer. No (even simple) analog EQs, no buss compressor, no switchable, balanced inserts etc. and the things you mentioned are also only mediocre. I think it's good that you at least made a follow-up video to explain what you think is a better alternative, even if I don't share your opinion.
You really missed the point.
@@BarryJohns I'm afraid it's the other way around. Your video has missed the point. If I want a hardware mixer for reasons, I don't want to be suggested audio interfaces and some outboard gear instead.
No again, you have in fact, missed the point. You’re picking and choosing what you wanna hear rather than everything I said. I made it very, very clear that my points were not going to apply to everyone. But rather the law averages based upon my 30 years of experience, helping people with their studio.
@@BarryJohns Discussions like this are pointless. Let's agree to disagree.
Please review summing mixers !
yes!
😂 i knew to come str8 to the comments.. i still like your videos tho... but yea...sit this one out buddy 😂
Bottom line for me -if the Big Six had the actual ssl sound (and eqs) then keeping it would be a no brainer -despite the shitty issue of having no way to expand it.
Because of this video I satisfyingly jumped into audiofuse world and really surprised just how noticeable the sound quality improvement is. You have really helped me by speaking on the very issue ive been dealing with
- really thanks because I unexpectedly gained a refreshed ability to find joy just listening to music for pleasure again.
Wow, I'm really surprised I didn't see any of the Tascam Model series in here! For a home studio the Model 12 or Model 16 is a fantastic option! I have a Model 24 I use for my live work and it's freaking fantastic. I can even run Waves SuperRack Performer with it so I'm using many of the same tools I use in my studio, live. It really makes it a game changer! The pre amps sound amazing. The compressor is a one knob compressor but it has a very similar sound to the compressor you would find on the Big Six. I know this because I have a 500 series Six Channel strip which has the compressor on it. The EQ is also fully featured as well. Now the Model 24 is the only one in the line with a fully analog signal path but I don't think that matter much honestly. The Model 12 and Model 16 only have analog inputs. Everything after it is digital but again, they both still sound great. I get what you are going for here. A smaller setup with only a few channels but I do think the Model series would be more "in line" with the Big Six.
The Tascam is excellent for its price that said, there are much better options for the masses. Please understand, I can never cover everyone’s individual needs.
@@BarryJohns I wasn't criticizing you Barry haha! I was just saying I was surprised.
Great video!! Thank you Barry!
i switched just to your alternavies and even if you sum them they don't do what the B6 does! It just don't fits your needs, thats OK! so why make this product bad? i use my B6 with joy since 2 years, of course only the B6 would not fit to all my needs but its the centerpiece of my analog gear! i use it togheter with an RME UFX2 where i have addidional ins/outs. I use the B6 for recording and summing. i record with the B6 and the UFX2, i sum with the B6 and the UFX2, i use the UFX OUTS (12 if i use even the headphone OUTS) to go into analog Mixer, the Mixer outs goes into the B6 "sum to main" . I can sum 4 mono Ch and 4 stereo Ch on the B6 and 12 channels on the UFX2. I use the Masterbus insert for inserting analog compressors and EQ. I use the 4 mono CH inserts for analog comps and eqs toghether with the onboard EQ and comp. i use the gain on the stereo ch for slight overdrive/compression on those tracks. i use the stereo cues for parallel compression and effects. i use the LMC for compressed roommic and drums recording. i use the G-Bus comp for soft final compression. i do a lot of things with the B6 that no other device could do in this price range and of course i would be happy if it had more features but its a 2,5K Mixer and not a 10K features mixer like you expect.
I just mixed and mastered the 5th track since I got the B6. Its way better that before, and have so many different ways to aproach each mix… I want to buy neve preamp to have different flavours, and love to have some outboard for the master inserts… the summing part of the console is way better and dimensional than being in the box. For me the B6 is the heart of the studio, it offers great tone for profesional sounding audio, but for more control and improving quality on the processing, I’m planning on getting some outboard gear.
But is kind of a big unjustice to say the B6 has mediocre things… is just nonsense.
David kesherbaum Works at home with 2 of these units… the guy worked with duran duran, Bryan adams too… of course it must be a good unit… dont you think?
I've looked at the Big Six because of the SSL name and it's home studio friendly size, but as always, my budget just laughs at me. Since you're offering other options that we might buy, one of which is an honorable mention of the Avid MBox Studio, I'd like to ask you if you'd EVER consider reviewing the Tascam Model 12? It's been out for years, but so has the BigSix. For those of us who are monetarily disadvantaged, I'm of the opinion that the Model 12's value proposition is WAY above it's price range and a better unit than the MBox. It has plenty of inputs for the recording side, an audio interface included, inserts for outboard gear, onboard preamps that are every bit as good as the MBox, a built in recorder that you can overdub with or transfer tracks to your DAW and more. I feel like it's EQ capabilities are adequate, and it's one knob compressor is a little lacking, but still very usable. It's probably not considered PRO gear, but I'd still love to hear your opinion. What about it???
If I want a mixer, I buy a mixer. So on this case we will have to have different opinions. Workflow is critical for many.
At that price. It should Adat in and out
Or Madi
I love your insight Barry. Much love from Lutz, Florida!!!
We are neighbors!! Carrollwood Florida here!!!! 🙂
I use the ssl big six. I honestly feel like most don’t use it to its full potential. Inserts on the mono channels and the inserts on the master channel make it versatile (to me) running channels back and forth to & from the daw is easy as it comes. Even using daw effects as send fx for the console is great. However I don’t have experience with top grade ssl consoles so I’ll take a neutral stance.
Agree Barry, not the quality of my other SSL gear! Compared to my other gear it is the weak link in the chain. When I patch it in it degrades the signal.
I’m waiting for Barry’s console 1 mixing system stands
Great insight, thanks!! So, overall, Warm Audio products are worth the price tag?
Performance is results minus expectations. That means for two different sets of expectations, performance can be different for the exact same results. The Big.Six appears to me to be a utility mixer. This is just a swiss army knife, a jack of all trades, a master of none. I don't see an alternative utility mixer listed here in this video for a comparable price or feature set. I went from a Tascam M-08 utility mixer to this, so the Big Six has far and away a better set of features than the M-08. We could look at the affordable Tascam Model 12 but I like the pre-amps, routing, and connectivity on the Big Six better than the Model 12. Both are good enough, but I like the SSL better, though. I kind of agree it should have the ADAT I/O and a better EQ/comp section, for the price. This utility mixer was available in early 2022, not sure why its a hot topic now, vs. then.
All the critiques made are 100% accurate - the preamps are good (in terms of noise floor and overall clarity they're excellent) but not colored, the per channel compression and eq is good but not flexible, and ultimately the Big Six is very limited in terms of channel count. However, if you tried buying each of these components on their own, there's absolutely no way you could do it for what the Big Six costs, not to mention the massive studio footprint that would require. It's not for nothing that The Big Six has 2 stereo sends, a sub group send, a main bus insert, inserts on the 4 XLR inputs etc etc. If you tried buying 4 XLR pre amps, 8 line in pre amps, 4 mono eq's, 4 stereo EQ's, 4 compressors, a mix bus compressor, a mixer for all that I/O, AD/DA converters etc etc then you'd be way way beyond the price point. Yes, you would have more flexibility if you bought each component, but that's the exact compromise the Big Six offers, which no other small format console style mixer has. I use this Big Six as a sidecar mixer for my drums, and because I have good enough mics and know how to place them, I can get away with 5 mics and I don't need fine grained EQ or compression, at least not on the front end. Tho the compression you can get on the Big Six sounds incredible when used on well recorded drums. There's not a single alternative on the market for that, i.e. for a drum sidecar. As others have stated, its competitors are the Model Series and the MTK series, neither of which get close to the Big Six in terms of fidelity, especially when it comes to compression.
I’m so torn between the WA73-Eq, the wa tone beast or the universal audio 710.
The eq and clone nature of the 73 is very appealing, but the versatility of the tone beast and the tube-to-solid state option of the UA is also super appealing. I’d like to phone a friend and poll the audience for that lol
Those are two different pieces of gear aimed debt different things. The UA 710 is a fine piece of gear and I do recommend it. That said so is the WA 73. But one is simulating a knee and the other is going after a different type vibe. If I had my choice between those three, not owning any of them, I would actually go with the HA 73 by Heritage.
Have you tried and tested the Behringer 33609 clone? Many others are recommending it, and it would be quite flippant of you to simply disregard it on the name alone, without getting your hands on one. I recently purchased the Behringer 1273 pre amp, and I'm very satisfied with the unit. Also, both units come in at a very reasonable price point.
Not yet
Sort of agree. I wish that they either focused on EQ or compression. Not this one knob EQ and one knob compressor thing.
I feel like if it had a solid compressor a threshold and release without EQ or a 3 band EQ without a compressor, it would have been a much better product.
I have seen and heard people running the Big Six as a small format sidecar mixer and loving it that way.
Don't care enough for the midi faders but I wouldn't be mixing on it either. For me it would be more for tracking.
They Big Six does make the regular Six seem like a fantastic deal tho when you compare the features per channel and the increased IO.
HELL NO! Was gonna Buy it....GOT THE SIGMA Instead...Love it!
Great video - have a question on HA73.
I just got one and used it as a hardware insert on the line in and im losing all my low end even with the eq bypassed - have you had that experience?
No, check you wiring/cables.
Did you check the hpf?
The SSL SiX Channel 500 Series version is a pretty good option. but I do not have a side by side comparison to the console version.
I much prefer the Alice 828 mk.3 mixing console, made in Britian, to the SSL Big Six. It's a much more vibey, old-school broadcast type mixer, with a heritage. The preamps have mojo than the SSL Big Six does not. It's not like the SSL Big Six gives you all the digital and analogue interfacing. So, I think it's better to get something more focused on just sounding really good and having a character. I'd also rather support a small builder than these big companies that mostly seem to be on the cash-in path, and are losing their soul, and losing track of their heritage.
Avid M Box is £600 here in England. Some charging £800?
Great video
The reason I am looking at the big 6 is I want to get my feet wet in working with a console. I have tried using motorized daw controllers and I just don’t like the workflow. Is there anything out there that is a small mixing console like that you would recommend over the big six? Would be nice if it has audio interface and the ability to control faders in the daw also. Daw control isn’t necessary but audio interface would be nice because I am due for an upgrade and I would like to avoid spending extra money right now on an audio interface.
I’ve heard good things about this one and you I can get in in smaller format as well for less. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Model2400--tascam-model-2400-24-channel-analog-recording-console
That said, I can’t say either way.
I can't claim to have much experience from a technical perspective, but it seems to me that the solutions you're proposing instead of the B6 are going to run your bill up to 3 times as much. Is it really comparable? If you go out and spend upwards of 3 grand, of course you should be able to get better results. But it seems to me that to make it a valid comparison, it should be gear that is within a similar price range when you add it all up.
No, I’m not suggesting you by everything, you piece meal certain pieces together and come up with a great plan based upon your particular needs. I can assure you, you can put a great system together for the same price as you’re spending on the big six.
Barry pls do a detailed audio interface suggestions video for our current time
SSL UAD APOGY and many more just released new ones and we need tech comparisons!
SSL should have updated the SSLxdesk version 2 and kept the price in the 2500-$3200 range..they 86th the Xrack and XDesk..I have both along with several eQ and dynamic modules, it gives me a small 16 channel Mini SSL console and I can insert whatever external units I want. Along with a 22 channel summing option. I never liked the newer consumer units
I can’t co-sign Warm Audio…. I don’t like their products. i rather use Audioscape … Buss compressor $699, MEQ-A Tube EQ $899, and V108 pre amp $599 (optional) or a optional OPTO Compressor $1099. With a Presonus Quantum HD 8 $999 interface…. So for $3696 most expensive option you have a far superior option imo.
I don’t disagree with you to a point, that said, keep in mind. I’m trying to do all of this and still stay within the price of the big six.
what u think about the SSL PURE QUAD DRIVE ?
Why don't you do some audio comparisons so we can here what you are on about. Show the settings you are using too. Just hearing your opinon doesn't mean anything unless you can back it up?
It’s the Truth thou Barry !!
any suggestion for a good summing mixer?
Well thanks
A cheaper route would be the x32 producer edition... Solves all those issues
Would you happen to have any recommendations for studio ventilation and climate control? Just dealt with a mold problem and not looking to do that again
You can install a Mr Cool, I put one in my garage for my woodshop.
Hey Barry, are you on TRT? Hope to age and stay sharp as you, you rock!
I totally agree with Barry’s sentiment. The Big Six was a failure it was a massive fail for multiple reasons but from my perspective no future made it a failure more than not having ADAT. As for a preamp, compressor and EQ they were completely trash too but depending on your source you could get maybe some use out of it.
How about presonus studio/live with studio one?
@BarryJohns thanks for the follow up video. You addressed questions that I had, especially towards the end of the video. My two cents (as an owner of the Big Six) if you’re interested are … I have no regrets with my purchase even though I believe everything you have stated… and here is why…
I don’t think the Big Six was made primarily for professional creators of a certain level… in other words, it’s more entry level than pro level. I’m not a pro and I’m therefore ok with that.
Many … and probably most folks on TH-cam are probably in that bucket as well. I don’t think you get to grow in a field without trying different things and being innovative, especially with limitations. I believe a lot can be done with the unit, especially if you add analog inserts… is it the best way to do that? Probably not … but I think for Big Six users, the best thing to do is to use the unit to learn until they have genuinely outgrown it … and then matriculate to better gear that they will at that point be able to fully take advantage of.
Thanks for explaining the alternatives based on your extensive experience. I’ll be keeping this in mind as I develop my skill set. You didn’t need to make the time for that but it’s sincerely appreciated.
If they would have skipped the interface and provided more robust I/O on DB25s, I think it would be a better product.
Bought mine as soon as it was released. I've designed and built small consoles, and I chose this one rather than do it again. I've come to see that we will have to agree to differ on many many points.😁 BTW its specs and clarity equal a 9000 series and exceed the 4000s. I unsubscribed. TTFN.
Sorry to see you because you disagree with one video of hundreds. I prefer to simply agree to disagree.
😉👍🏼 Good Stuff
After all of the smack I spoke in the comment, I sold my SSL Big Six for an Orion 32 + Gen 4 lol... yes it's digital, but it sounds so much better and has 32ins and outs with patch bays!
I don't think anybody should be buying focusrite Scarlett anything, honestly that line just needs to be discontinued because the their higher end stuff is great
I have an Allen and Heath z14 and its great... And thousands cheaper.
why do so many people trash the warm stuff ??
Trash it, I’m recommending it.
It’s trash because for the price what are the major features none for the price. He is right.
Warm can be hit or miss some of their mics are great but the wa 273 I found to be garbage the plugin of a 1073 or 1084 sounded better after recording clean and adding the plugin after or if you have uad record with the plugin you can buy two bae 500 series used for a lil more expensive
As with any gear manufacturer, they’re gonna have successes and failures. I’ve had warm audio gear that I wanted to chunk in the trash, but I’ve also had warm audio gear. That was exceptional. The HA 73 falls into that last category. As does their WA2A, and they’re 1176.
For that price there are no alternatives to big six ,as a summing box there is nothing out there that do what the big six does ,with just one cable you can bring in groups /busses to the mixer and send them back to your DAW 😂..I want another big six
💯
I think you are completely missing the point here... basically you are telling giraffes how to swim with dolphins, or you are trying to educate a goldfish on how to get on with a group of chimpanzees. You are completely missing the point on who the SSL B6 is made for, who SSL targeted with this device. Your studio knowledge is very in-depth and immense... I think that is exactly the "!problem"" here. You are beyond this level of gears. Which is fine. That's clear. Just don't try to retrospectively "explain" and justify this smartassery you present here. That's what puts most people off here.
So far it seems like the only people being turned off for people who bought the unit, which is understandable. People want to defend their buying decisions. To be honest with you, I never look at this from my perspective. I always look at it from the perspective of the average person, looking for a piece of gear. If you break down exactly what the big six does and put it into categories, that alone should be the reason you’re buying it or not buying it. When you compare each of those categories against other pieces of gear and piece them together, you get a much superior set of tools to work with.
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯Youre going to piss the SSL FAN cult😆😆😂😂🤣🤣
If the truth hurts. Let’s hope they do better next time.
@ 🤣😂🤣😂😂🤣
Can anyone recommend an audio interface for a Rupert Neve RMP-D8?
I thought you were going to show other mixer/interfaces alike.. you can’t compare all these to the big six…
I agree Barry. It was a massive fail. The mic pres are no better than your basic budget ones that come with the majority of interfaces and they gimped the EQ and compressor to basically being useless. It does not sound like an SSL nor is the quality of the past. Old school analog mixers will give you more features and be a better buy. I agree definitely chose other options.
Man...4x wa73eq + 4x wa76 + wa bus comp + audiofuse= $7500 circa. 3 times than big six...what are we talking about? And we don't have other feature. You missed the point, the money and have an all in one solution. ssl big six is a quality/price compromise. There's no other "mixer" that offer his quality at his price, that's why big six win
I’m sorry if I’m upset you because you’ve purchased one, however, I’ve actually done a video where I go over a better way to spend your money. Please don’t take it personal because I think that your choice could’ve been a better one. I know I’ve made lots of choices that I wish I’d made different choices on. You can choose to ignore my video if you want, that’s your right, of course But at least be open minded is all I ask you. It really is as simple as that. The only way to grow is to be open minded.
The Eq unusable 😂😂 omg!!the plugin dont come close to the hardware, plus the eqs with its limited frequency is better than in plugins
The whole, gating the audio to minus infinity in this video is just not necessary; and is quite frankly annoying.
dosent get going for ten minutes, bit draggy that
Called Studio “Talk”
😂😂
Yeah sure, instead of buying one single Big Six, we have to spend 10x as much on buying single components and to do that, you'll coincidently suggest us to use your affiliate links. Nice try.
Hey Barry. This video dropped right as I was about to ring up a used SSL big six on Reverb.
This might be divine intervention? Haha!
I will add that I manage to talk the seller down to $1500
Would you still argue that it’s not a good financial decision even at that price point? Really appreciate the feedback and I’m a huge fan of the channel. Thanks!
Hell yeah! If you don't like it, sell it for 500 more and it will still be a bargain for someone..
I love my B6 to be honest and 1500$ is definitely a steal, so just go for it.
Barry! Love you man but you’re doing nobody any favors recommending WARM audio gear. Why them? They cut every corner they can.
There are so many other better built products. black lion audio, heritage audio, audioscape, capi. BAE
There’s a reason.
First comment
I can say I bought the Apollo twin and the ssl2. The ssl2 blew it away. Apollo twin was like good headphones and the ssl sound leaped off the speakers surrounded the room on my ns10s and my mackies! And I have many other audio cards. Haven’t tried the big 6 but I’ll say the Ssl2 and ssl2 plus I have rivals my mackie 32c and mt mackie hard disc 24 track. Just saying.