Could This be connected to the apolloX16? Theres only 13 pin female input on it .. And Id like to connect the Eventide H9ooo in the set up as well, but thats just spdif i think.. Have a nice day
Now I have to sell my six to get this. But the faders should have been automated and a vu meter would be 😊. That’s exactly what I need. I had a soundcraft and couldn’t stand the cut out in the usb.now I I got to move away from uad twin x
@@joaquincareca9254 Absolutely.....you'd just need TRS from the SiX to DB 25 on the x16 via 2 TRS-DB25 cables. Just TRS to TRS for both channels on the 9000 into either a channel insert on the SiX or one of the Cue busses. Just simple analog connect.
Mitch is pretty slick, but he really knows his stuff. And his demos are so great. Simple and direct. He tells a musician what to expect. This was another great one.
FINALLY. This is what I was waiting for... for a long time. A real high-end mixer and interface all-in-one. I'm a live sound-engineer. This desk is phenomenal because now I can record multi-track pre or post-fader and mix live for the PA. For bigger gigs, I can use the outputs of the main console, have a wet mix for live-streaming and a dry-mix for re-mixing in post after the fact. Also, I/O on top is good for us live people! We want to see what's going on. The whole point is to move that thing around and have the quality of a large-format console into a small package that can be used for mixing live and tracking at the same time, then summing later on. What more do you want? I mean this takes in a couple of rack units each the same price and put it together into a small and portable unit. People saying it's pricey for what it is... they don't know what it is...!!!
100 percent ITB and never considered getting any kind of mixer for whatever reason, BUT damn the amount of flexibility this thing has is insane and can be VERY useful. This actually seems like an SSL product. Kinda of cool to see them go back to their roots in a modern way.
Great review. This would fit a nice niche for people wanting to get their hands on some analog mixing. Only thing I don't like is the physical I/O being up top. Never liked that on my desk. Always gets messy. Other than that, awesome feature set and size
I feel for home/project recording having the most changed I/O accessible on top vs on the back is a big plus. I’d think most people won’t have this totally landed on a patchbay. I get it tho…my SiX is on a patchbay and there’s a ton of spaghetti on top.
I like the physical I/O on top, and I disagree that this is for people who want to get into analogue desks. I'm a live sound-engineer. This desk is phenomenal because now I can record multi-track pre or post-fader and mix live for the PA. For bigger gigs, I can use the outputs of the main console, have a wet mix for live-streaming and a dry-mix for re-mixing in post after the fact. Also, I/O on top is good for us live people! We want to see what's going on. The whole point is to move that thing around and have the quality of a large-format console into a small package that can be used for mixing live and tracking at the same time, then summing later on. What more do you want? I mean this takes in a couple of rack units each the same price and put it together. People saying it's pricey for what it is... they don't know what it is...!!!
Wow!! I have the 1K comment, only wished this unit was that much lower in price. I like the quality of the Solid State Logic brand. Thanks for offering the BiG SiX.
I use the 6 and it’s the best sounding small console I’ve ever used. The noise level is insane. Even shifty boutique synth like the manager which makes some noise,clean. 0fncourse the buss compressor is doing lol the magic. Of course I will be upgrading.....
Mitch is the man. The world of music production would be a cold, dry and lifeless place without Mitch Gallagher. There I said it, I love Mitch. If he is a salesman than so be it that's what a salesman should be. There is a movie in there someplace. Seriously Mitch, you competently and succinctly without ANY used car hype, describe the products but with a human feel as a musician would. This makes me trust that I am buying with confidence. Thank you. Does Sweetwater know who they have? Tod in Las Vegas. I want one of these!
Why no ADAT? It would be nice to connect my converter to it, or I could connect it to my current RME digiface USB. Now all I can see is an analogue console.
I think SSL is heading in the right direction with this one. I still think ima wait till they make a mixing console better than this because i want something a lot better . I don’t mind if it’s $5k-$10k just want something that’s a better introduction into a really fine mixing console that will be a real staple piece of equipment in my music production and mixing process. I want a legendary ssl mixing console / interface at an affordable price.
They took everything I loved about the Soundcraft Signature 22 MTK and made it better. Good Job SSL. 3k is a little pricy but this workflow is really amazing. The converters are 24/96 for those that are wondering. Im curious if they are the same converters they use in the 2+2.
@@NikoNoxious "Lastly, an invaluable intangible benefit: if you have clients or artists coming into your studio, appearances matter. When they see the SSL marque, they’ll know they’re in a professional studio with serious equipment. The name commands instant respect. Case closed." lol, Okay. I still prefer the MTK
Thank you for your videos, they are great! Here's my shoutout to the "big" guys. There is a big gap, and a need in the market for a high quality sound analog mixer with (min.) 8 in/outs, very good converters, and good in/outs to the external hardware. No need for build in (especially stripped versions) of effects-EQ-comp. They maybe good for live, but I am referring to studio rec./mix/mastering. A&H has good choices, but the Neve, SSL, Trident, API etc. start from 17-20K. A 5-6K unit from those guys, with just (8 min.) in/outs, not even pre-amps more than 2, or 4 (we all have our gear, and like to be flexible), and maybe an additional ADAT in/out (for 500 series, Cranborne etc.) would have a ton of options for the user, and have their 3D sound. Basically a clean, high grade router, and AD/DA converter with ADAT (or USB) for 8 analog in/outs would be a center piece. Thank you.
I own the SiX already as well as most of the SSL plugins with the UH8 & UC1. This is the icing on my cake & I will be buying it just as soon as I can afford it.
It looks amazing. The only thing which is a big deal for me is that it doesn’t come with adat out so I can add these ssl channels as extra inputs with my UA Apollo system.
Yeah that was my first thought, this would be the ultimate mixer if they had included an adat feature. Since I am already invested deep into other systems like the Universal Audio interfaces, it would be nice to have it accessible from my UAD Console as adat ins. This is a great package for someone starting out though.
Perhaps, but ADAT is an outdated format by all accounts. And the whole industry is turning away from big channel count... and certainly, two can be chained. I would be surprised otherwise.
@@jas_bataille This may be the most idiotic comment I’ve read in a while. ADAT is still widely used in the industry both in live and recording studios. They make specific ADAT mixers just for the purpose of adding a ton of inputs very quickly and easily. Do some research before responding with such a moronic comment next time!
How about a thunderbolt buss on this thing in a future release so some kind of side car ..ie...an expansion unit with 8 more faders....that can be daisy chained. That way the price is always right to expend as needed. Adding more controllable inputs in and out your daw
Yeah, I loved the quick and concise overview, but a slower and more expanded review for us Portatrack to DAW folks will be nice. I'll go see if there is one out there, Sweetwater obviously needs to focus on selling, so they need preach to those who already know what all the jargon means.
OK so this is actually much more simple than you both think :) As a pro engineer, allow me... this is an analogue mixer first. You record your sound sources (analogue ones not software instruments) through directly through DIs or through transducers (microphone). Those sources then come into the SSL BiG SiX console. Then, you have *two* choices : 1) You use the SSL's EQs pre-USB. This means *before* the recorded source reaches your recorder, AKA your DAW. 2) You use the SSL's EQs *post*-USB, which means *after* the sound went to your DAW. This essentially means you can use the SSL BiG SiX as a regular interface with pre-amp and gain only, as a mixer that will allow you to *prin* analogue EQ before recording (for live use for instance) OR as an interface AND a summing mixer. Now, by pushing the USB switch down, you are taking the USB output and reversing it into a USB input, feeding the sound of the computer backward *through* the mixer. This allow you to use the SSL BiG SiX as a summing mixer, or like you would a plug-in. You can then hit the record button on your DAW and play-back the tracks from your computer into the SSL, and out into new tracks in the computer. This is the same thing engineers would do with tape, just applied to the digital world! Hope that answers your questions :)
@@jas_bataille You are the best, thank you for that clear explanation! The only thing I am still confused about, if you would indulge me, is the output routing from the DAW. In my normal workflow, all tracks get routed to a master track and from there to the main outs on my interface. With this, does every DAW track now get routed to its own individual output? And then for the final mixdown, you would route the summed mix into a new master track in the DAW?
just got a soundcraft signature 22 mtk...got it over the tascam because of the color and tone being better for a similar price. now I see this. would be cool to see the mixer interface combo become more common.
Hi Jed, thank you so much! You can find my EP "Foundation" at my site, MitchGallagher.com, or on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, CD Baby, etc. Thanks again, Mitch
@@BenKash308 Exactly. GThe EQ's aren't cheap. For $3k this is a nice step up from the 6, but it still lacks the features of what makes the SSL EQ so great. Obviously a full 4 band fully parametric EQ would be hugely cost prohibitive, but say just one or two bands of fully parametric, rather than the stock one band hi, med, low. I know sound quality is probably better with the SSL, but if it's basically just a Mackie EQ given the flexibility. What made SSL eq's stand out in the first place was the ability to fine tune the EQ and get the exact frequency and Q you wanted.
@@ErikZmusic I see what you’re saying but SSL are building a hybrid system so for precise eq, use the plugin and for additional colour use the eq on the desk. Or alternatively combine with 500 series channel strip where you have full control of the eq. A smart move by SSL for those who want their gear but can’t afford the drop 5 figures on it at once.
Yeh, honestly it seems sort of a waste to put those very limited comps/EQs on the channels. They'd be OK for very minor tweaking during a mix. But, you need stuff for tracking. If you have that stuff, it's probably considerably nicer and more flexible, and you'd could just use it instead. More buses might be a better use of that channel space, which would probably drop the price as well.
Hi! Thanks for the video. For someone like me that has nerver used a console like this, the in/out ports explanation was very, very briefly. What can you do with those? Send/return? ST cues? Etc. please explain it more.
Hey there! Partially, the explanation is quite brief because it’s a rather complex subject. It may be a bit difficult to answer through text. If you have some time to reach out, I’d be more than happy to give you the full run down of that mixer over the phone!! You can reach out at the information below and we can dive into the details of that BiG SiX further. Hope to hear from you soon! Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 3230, nick_pasquino@sweetwater.com
This is a great overview but I'm still missing a good video on how to actually use external gear, like the SSL UltraViolet, for example. Can something like the UltraViolet be used after the G-Bus compressor to expand the MixBus capabilities? If only Mitch could show us how that would be done. :)
I want something like this for my tracking/mixing but with a better channel strips on each channel, like a better eq like the big ssl console boards with eq bells n curves & a good compressor with variety attack, release & threshold settings … but closer to this size!!!. But maybe with instead of 8 channel faders which they should make that too but i want 16 channels, eq & comps with 8pre’s .
Mines haven’t arrived yet but I sure can’t wait I’m going to bypass the interface and pair it with my avid Carbon, this is what people don’t understand I’m sure the interface on the big six and the A/D converters are great but if you pair this with high end pre amps and as we all know that the A/D converters are amazing on the carbon paired with HDX DSP system this will definitely take my vocals and mixing and mastering to another level, by using the eq the compresor and the bus compressor as insert and actual hardware i can eliminate some of the Plugins I use on my Master chain and vocal chain which will free up DSP power that I use with all the plugins which will eliminate latency.This is the best pice of gear that Ssl has built for smaller or Hybrid studios, I understand that this not for everyone there is a war and a lot of controversy on this new console older engineers with higher end equipment or old school mentality see it as a worthless pice of gear but for us the newer Generation that comes from mixing and mastering in the Box Hybrid system is just something the old heads don’t understand hardware is amazing but this is like a grey Jedi it’s a balance between hardware and plugging tow of the best worlds and this is why The Big six is the beginning of Hybrid consoles, I had a SSl Nucleus 2 and I loved the Pres and the moving faders but it was so limited I’m glad they moved away from that and made a smaller version of there bigger console with tools that we need to tweak are music to the level and sound like the big boys this is just an amazing pice of gear can’t wait to get mines 😎
Cool video. I'd love one of these. Looks like a good combination of an interface and a mixer. My Mackie ProFx 12v3 (bought from Sweetwater of course) works well and can act as an interface as well, but in trying to use it for live looping in Ableton I realized that my signal was getting looped and re-recorded. So if you have Ableton playing your drum loop and try to record a keyboard or anything else you'll get the drums coming back in while recording it. I'm barely able to work around this by sending the computer audio out to the sub mix (which then means I have to use TRS cables to connect to my PA rather than the speaker cables). I'm only able to do this because the 12v3 has a sub mix... can't use the 6v3 or 10v3 because they lack the sub mix. This piece of gear looks like an awesome mixer and an awesome interface, and combined together would be great with Ableton for live performances but then also later on while mixing.
this is cool, but missing the level of control I'd want to actually invest in it. I don't want the light versions of the eq, compressor, and bus compressor, I want the full thing with the ability to fully adjust the bands on the compressor, the release times on the compressors and the attack time of the bus compressor. If i wanted to buy a mini SSL console I'd want an actual mini SSL console.
Totally agree. I guess all that’s a way to keep costs low. In the Vintage King demo, they used a bunch of Neve and Rupert Neve outboard gear and ran it through this thing… no wonder it sounded good. I’d pay more for a more in-depth mixer of the same size, with higher quality.
it looks really cool and that mix sounds great. It makes a lot of sense to be for tracking but for mixing it must be limiting?? If you have a project with 30 or 50 or whatever.. tracks what do you do? Do you have to pick 6 to route to the Big Six console? What about the other tracks?
Great review and great music. Im sure so many people want this, it offers so much. It is a lot of money but im sure people will buy it. That was a really very clever move from SSL. It makes you wonder how they didnt come up with it before.
@@NablusRain In my opinion, their last good mixers were the 900 series. Everything else they've made has been bland. Like, it's not bad equipment at all, it's all fantastic, but it's too clean. Too sterile. Doesn't impart any interesting harmonics to the sound, doesn't add anything to your signal the way it should. If I invest in analog gear, it's because I want that gear to impart some character or vibe to my sound, but all of the newer stuff sounds too clean for my tastes. In my personal opinion, it makes more sense to buy a used FOH/live mixer, like a Soundcraft or an Allen & Heath or even a Mackie, and then buy some outboard converters and an RME interface to get all those channels into and out of your computer. It'll give you that analog saturation, total control over the sound in the digital domain, AND it'll still cost less than the new SSL Big Six
This is going to be a success. SSL finally, after 20+ years of people working in the box, took everything we love about them and made it 100% practical. My only question here is about recall, etc. Is it going to be old-school, track sheet style recall or is there some digital component involved? Either way, this is ridiculously cool…but I feel like we’ve all been irreparably spoiled to the point where some newer engineers probably don’t know what “recall” even is.
Nice review Mitch. Will you say this is better than getting a Prism Lyra 2 for an home studio owner who does want quality tracking and 100% in the box mixing but with mastering grade converters. How will its converters compare to what we have in Apollo, Audient and Prism
I think we all have been waiting for this. But for me it's major overkill. Good on SSL for doing this. So tempted, but I don't need all the channels lol and the other one isn't the right fit either.
the big six doesn't have motorized faders. what does that mean for editing using daw and what about automation tasks. what to do. how does it behave then?
Hey, Rangdap! Thanks for your interest. The BiG SiX does up to 16 channels in simultaneously at 96kHz over USB. I hope this helps! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1793, connor_smith@sweetwater.com
Can you connect multiple big sixes together? Like with Apollo’s you can do this. Would be an absolute game changer if this is possible with the big six!!!
Hey there, Isaac! Yeah, that would be sweet to run multiple together - unfortunately, there isn’t really any type of way to do this that would really make it worth the investment. The Apollo’s are able to be connected via a Thunderbolt cable and will then all be linked within their Console software, so all the channels that you’ve chained together are showing up digitally. With the BigSix, there isn’t a way to digitally connect multiple units together. So, if you had 2 together, you wouldn’t be able to take advantage of all the features that you get out of just 1. Thanks a ton for reaching out! Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 3230, nick_pasquino@sweetwater.com
Thanks for this video. The only thing I haven't been able to get an answer to is how to incorporate outboard gear on the individual tracks during mix-down. Is it possible to use the inserts on 1-4 when switched to USB mode? How about channels 5-12? Cheers
The USB switch at the top of the channel strip brings the USB signal back into the mixer right after the pre’s-so the EQ, comp, and insert all process the channel during mix down. No inserts on the stereo channels, but you could always use the sends or route to bus B to pass a stereo channel through outboard. Then you’d bring the outboard back through another stereo channel, an EXT input, or even the unity main bus summing input.
Hey, Robin! That's a great question. The USB input will receive everything post pre amp on each individual track. So, any insert return, EQ, or dynamics processing will all be printed into your DAW for each channel. The only thing that's not sent into your computer (USB mode) is the main fader on each channel. I hope this helps! Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 3230, nick_pasquino@sweetwater.com
Someone needs to do a comprehensive video on using the Big Six with Harrison Mixbus32c. Specifically; setting up a template for stems and master back to daw -burning tracks back post fader on stems-to ‘recall’ easily and the channels 15/16 master 2 track mix w/ effects loop engaged . I’ve tried this and have only been partially successful. I’m getting double bussed issues with. 15/16 back to daw-user error for sure.
For me this is the cheapest summing and quarter of your outboard for mixing… not so much as you colour units but the SSL main sound well known for being great for mixing a wide genre base… and again it’s cheap… with USB, SSL conversion!? … again very cheap in comparison… although it’s being sold as recording and it wouldn’t be that great on recording unless you had the other outboard to make a good recording setup… I do think the preamps are good for a particular type of sound … a bit of drive… or low gain very clean with a hint of radio sound… “the sound that sells” lol but would still be the Best Buy for the start of a analog mixing environment… prefer other converters but the USB means you can take it as a hub for travelling or temporary moving a bit of the setup… or production in general
I have a small hybrid production recording studio and use the six and use the uc1.. Now if they had the 4k button on that for different channels like they have on the ssl2+ i would get one... For that simple reason im not .. Besides the price .. But i would've gotten one..
What's it like using this ssl big six with software like protools. how is the integration? do I have to learn every button from scratch or is there a template for different softwares?
I wish SSL used an optical out / spidif to connect another interface to extend channels cause having at least 8 is what I need for recording band Any work around to expand the inputs (XLR signal mic ?)
Currently recording into a UA twin finity preamp into my interface into my Mac. Is this going to sound better than that setup ? Or is it mainly just about the workflow ? I’m interested but for 3k it can’t just be a mild step up in sound and presence.
Hello, great question! That is up to you - you can choose to route the audio through the channel and master compressors when tracking, use them as inserts, or use the master bus compressor on your final mix. Let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks! Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1281, Jason_Filloramo@sweetwater.com
Hi, David! Thanks for your interest. The BiG SiX does have a 16x16 USB audio interface built in, so it can indeed serve as your primary interface. However, it also has plenty of analog I/O, so it can also integrate with other interfaces purely as an analog console. It really depends on your setup and what other gear you are planning to use with it. I hope this helps a bit - feel free to contact me directly with any further questions, and thanks again! Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1620, caleb_lowrey@sweetwater.com
Move your humble project studio into the big leagues with the BiG SiX 🤯 Make sure you like, comment, and subscribe for more demos like this one!
Could This be connected to the apolloX16?
Theres only 13 pin female input on it ..
And Id like to connect the Eventide H9ooo in the set up as well, but thats just spdif i think..
Have a nice day
Now I have to sell my six to get this. But the faders should have been automated and a vu meter would be 😊. That’s exactly what I need. I had a soundcraft and couldn’t stand the cut out in the usb.now I I got to move away from uad twin x
@@joaquincareca9254 Absolutely.....you'd just need TRS from the SiX to DB 25 on the x16 via 2 TRS-DB25 cables. Just TRS to TRS for both channels on the 9000 into either a channel insert on the SiX or one of the Cue busses. Just simple analog connect.
@@mcoffey56 thank you so much, thats very kind of you to take time out 🤗 please, have the best og days!
Wondering how long it's going to take to get this, I already have a number of things on back order.
Mitch is pretty slick, but he really knows his stuff. And his demos are so great. Simple and direct. He tells a musician what to expect. This was another great one.
FINALLY.
This is what I was waiting for... for a long time. A real high-end mixer and interface all-in-one. I'm a live sound-engineer. This desk is phenomenal because now I can record multi-track pre or post-fader and mix live for the PA. For bigger gigs, I can use the outputs of the main console, have a wet mix for live-streaming and a dry-mix for re-mixing in post after the fact. Also, I/O on top is good for us live people! We want to see what's going on. The whole point is to move that thing around and have the quality of a large-format console into a small package that can be used for mixing live and tracking at the same time, then summing later on. What more do you want? I mean this takes in a couple of rack units each the same price and put it together into a small and portable unit.
People saying it's pricey for what it is... they don't know what it is...!!!
Best comment yet!
Now bring a “Big Twelve” with integrated UF8/UC1 features (like a baby Matrix) and it would be perfect :)
That’s what I want. 24 Ch with a meter bridge. Make it 5-6K and I’ll buy it instantly 😅
Pricey
They just put out the origin :)
HOPEFULLY THERE ARE BETTER TUTORIALS THAN THE ORIGINAL SIX. THEY DROPPED THE BALL WITH THAT
100 percent ITB and never considered getting any kind of mixer for whatever reason, BUT damn the amount of flexibility this thing has is insane and can be VERY useful. This actually seems like an SSL product. Kinda of cool to see them go back to their roots in a modern way.
M.G. is Sweetwater's greatest asset. He makes technical stuff accessible to dunces like me.
Great to see SSL taking steps to serve the larger market! What a cool piece!
MG is the best ---- articulate, organized, efficient and a great style. Also very good production values.
Great review. This would fit a nice niche for people wanting to get their hands on some analog mixing. Only thing I don't like is the physical I/O being up top. Never liked that on my desk. Always gets messy. Other than that, awesome feature set and size
Every brand this ^^^
I feel for home/project recording having the most changed I/O accessible on top vs on the back is a big plus. I’d think most people won’t have this totally landed on a patchbay.
I get it tho…my SiX is on a patchbay and there’s a ton of spaghetti on top.
I like the physical I/O on top, and I disagree that this is for people who want to get into analogue desks. I'm a live sound-engineer. This desk is phenomenal because now I can record multi-track pre or post-fader and mix live for the PA. For bigger gigs, I can use the outputs of the main console, have a wet mix for live-streaming and a dry-mix for re-mixing in post after the fact. Also, I/O on top is good for us live people! We want to see what's going on. The whole point is to move that thing around and have the quality of a large-format console into a small package that can be used for mixing live and tracking at the same time, then summing later on. What more do you want? I mean this takes in a couple of rack units each the same price and put it together.
People saying it's pricey for what it is... they don't know what it is...!!!
This makes much more sense to me than the smaller desktop version. Seems like they hit a winner with the BiG.
The price is surprisingly affordable.
Wow!! I have the 1K comment, only wished this unit was that much lower in price.
I like the quality of the Solid State Logic brand. Thanks for offering the BiG SiX.
I have the original and have never been more excited for a piece of gear!
So impressed with SSL in everything they've done over the last few years, wish I could buy it all lol
I use the 6 and it’s the best sounding small console I’ve ever used. The noise level is insane. Even shifty boutique synth like the manager which makes some noise,clean. 0fncourse the buss compressor is doing lol the magic. Of course I will be upgrading.....
I'm so glad I waited. THIS is a dream come true, really and truly. Oh BOY
I'm leaning in this direction........really hard. It combines the best of all worlds: interface, tactile analog mixing, routing.....
Mitch is the man. The world of music production would be a cold, dry and lifeless place without Mitch Gallagher. There I said it, I love Mitch. If he is a salesman than so be it that's what a salesman should be. There is a movie in there someplace. Seriously Mitch, you competently and succinctly without ANY used car hype, describe the products but with a human feel as a musician would. This makes me trust that I am buying with confidence. Thank you. Does Sweetwater know who they have? Tod in Las Vegas. I want one of these!
🙌🙌
looks like a very good summing machine. I am adding this to my wishlist. thank you again for the detailed video SW.
Why no ADAT? It would be nice to connect my converter to it, or I could connect it to my current RME digiface USB. Now all I can see is an analogue console.
I have the same problem ...
That was the one thing I was watching this video to find out! I am disappointed it does not have Adat.
Really well done overview Mitch.
you brought the thrill for this mixer
I think SSL is heading in the right direction with this one. I still think ima wait till they make a mixing console better than this because i want something a lot better . I don’t mind if it’s $5k-$10k just want something that’s a better introduction into a really fine mixing console that will be a real staple piece of equipment in my music production and mixing process. I want a legendary ssl mixing console / interface at an affordable price.
Sweetwater needs to come to Canada.
They took everything I loved about the Soundcraft Signature 22 MTK and made it better. Good Job SSL. 3k is a little pricy but this workflow is really amazing. The converters are 24/96 for those that are wondering. Im curious if they are the same converters they use in the 2+2.
I literally just bought my 22mtk this week. lol.
Yes, especially USB out post fader/EQ is amazing.
@@NikoNoxious "Lastly, an invaluable intangible benefit: if you have clients or artists coming into your studio, appearances matter. When they see the SSL marque, they’ll know they’re in a professional studio with serious equipment. The name commands instant respect. Case closed."
lol, Okay.
I still prefer the MTK
Exactly my thoughts lol I have the mtk 12, time to save up to upgrade ..
Thank you for your videos, they are great! Here's my shoutout to the "big" guys. There is a big gap, and a need in the market for a high quality sound analog mixer with (min.) 8 in/outs, very good converters, and good in/outs to the external hardware. No need for build in (especially stripped versions) of effects-EQ-comp. They maybe good for live, but I am referring to studio rec./mix/mastering. A&H has good choices, but the Neve, SSL, Trident, API etc. start from 17-20K. A 5-6K unit from those guys, with just (8 min.) in/outs, not even pre-amps more than 2, or 4 (we all have our gear, and like to be flexible), and maybe an additional ADAT in/out (for 500 series, Cranborne etc.) would have a ton of options for the user, and have their 3D sound. Basically a clean, high grade router, and AD/DA converter with ADAT (or USB) for 8 analog in/outs would be a center piece. Thank you.
Anyone else just want to hang with MG and talk about super analog pre amps and light compression techniques?
Visit Sweetwater. It’s like Disneyland. I’ve been there.
some sort of digital option card would have been a nice touch for this thing.
Ey! Cool! 90’s band-practice mixers has really gone up in price! Who would have thought?
Well this thing is really damn nice... didn't realize I'd be so interested, I think I might sell my interfaces.
SWEETWATER and crewe, always well done reviews:)! Thank you…
I own the SiX already as well as most of the SSL plugins with the UH8 & UC1. This is the icing on my cake & I will be buying it just as soon as I can afford it.
i love that there is no commercials
It looks amazing. The only thing which is a big deal for me is that it doesn’t come with adat out so I can add these ssl channels as extra inputs with my UA Apollo system.
If you are on mac you could create an aggregate audio device and use them both.
I feel the same...Adat or direct outs would be great to include into a system that has its own AD/DA...
Yeah that was my first thought, this would be the ultimate mixer if they had included an adat feature. Since I am already invested deep into other systems like the Universal Audio interfaces, it would be nice to have it accessible from my UAD Console as adat ins. This is a great package for someone starting out though.
Perhaps, but ADAT is an outdated format by all accounts. And the whole industry is turning away from big channel count... and certainly, two can be chained. I would be surprised otherwise.
@@jas_bataille This may be the most idiotic comment I’ve read in a while. ADAT is still widely used in the industry both in live and recording studios. They make specific ADAT mixers just for the purpose of adding a ton of inputs very quickly and easily. Do some research before responding with such a moronic comment next time!
How about a thunderbolt buss on this thing in a future release so some kind of side car ..ie...an expansion unit with 8 more faders....that can be daisy chained. That way the price is always right to expend as needed. Adding more controllable inputs in and out your daw
I’m super curious about hybrid mixing workflows, but I feel like I need an ‘explain like I’m five’ version of how to use this with a DAW.
Yeah, I loved the quick and concise overview, but a slower and more expanded review for us Portatrack to DAW folks will be nice. I'll go see if there is one out there, Sweetwater obviously needs to focus on selling, so they need preach to those who already know what all the jargon means.
OK so this is actually much more simple than you both think :)
As a pro engineer, allow me... this is an analogue mixer first. You record your sound sources (analogue ones not software instruments) through directly through DIs or through transducers (microphone). Those sources then come into the SSL BiG SiX console. Then, you have *two* choices : 1) You use the SSL's EQs pre-USB. This means *before* the recorded source reaches your recorder, AKA your DAW. 2) You use the SSL's EQs *post*-USB, which means *after* the sound went to your DAW.
This essentially means you can use the SSL BiG SiX as a regular interface with pre-amp and gain only, as a mixer that will allow you to *prin* analogue EQ before recording (for live use for instance) OR as an interface AND a summing mixer. Now, by pushing the USB switch down, you are taking the USB output and reversing it into a USB input, feeding the sound of the computer backward *through* the mixer. This allow you to use the SSL BiG SiX as a summing mixer, or like you would a plug-in. You can then hit the record button on your DAW and play-back the tracks from your computer into the SSL, and out into new tracks in the computer. This is the same thing engineers would do with tape, just applied to the digital world! Hope that answers your questions :)
@@jas_bataille You are the best, thank you for that clear explanation! The only thing I am still confused about, if you would indulge me, is the output routing from the DAW. In my normal workflow, all tracks get routed to a master track and from there to the main outs on my interface. With this, does every DAW track now get routed to its own individual output? And then for the final mixdown, you would route the summed mix into a new master track in the DAW?
Love this! Great demo!
Great review as always! Thank you!
just got a soundcraft signature 22 mtk...got it over the tascam because of the color and tone being better for a similar price. now I see this. would be cool to see the mixer interface combo become more common.
Hi Mitch - I always enjoy your music when you do these demos. Do you have an album or something that I can listen to?
Hi Jed, thank you so much! You can find my EP "Foundation" at my site, MitchGallagher.com, or on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, CD Baby, etc.
Thanks again,
Mitch
NIce. Seems a lot more useful than the regular 6. Wish they would give you a fully parametric EQ like on the big boys though.
Their 500 series fully parametric eq is like a grand, for one.
@@BenKash308 Exactly. GThe EQ's aren't cheap. For $3k this is a nice step up from the 6, but it still lacks the features of what makes the SSL EQ so great. Obviously a full 4 band fully parametric EQ would be hugely cost prohibitive, but say just one or two bands of fully parametric, rather than the stock one band hi, med, low. I know sound quality is probably better with the SSL, but if it's basically just a Mackie EQ given the flexibility. What made SSL eq's stand out in the first place was the ability to fine tune the EQ and get the exact frequency and Q you wanted.
@@ErikZmusic I hear ya. I own 2 alpha channels. $1100 a pop.
@@ErikZmusic I see what you’re saying but SSL are building a hybrid system so for precise eq, use the plugin and for additional colour use the eq on the desk. Or alternatively combine with 500 series channel strip where you have full control of the eq. A smart move by SSL for those who want their gear but can’t afford the drop 5 figures on it at once.
Yeh, honestly it seems sort of a waste to put those very limited comps/EQs on the channels. They'd be OK for very minor tweaking during a mix. But, you need stuff for tracking. If you have that stuff, it's probably considerably nicer and more flexible, and you'd could just use it instead. More buses might be a better use of that channel space, which would probably drop the price as well.
Hi! Thanks for the video. For someone like me that has nerver used a console like this, the in/out ports explanation was very, very briefly. What can you do with those? Send/return? ST cues? Etc. please explain it more.
Hey there! Partially, the explanation is quite brief because it’s a rather complex subject. It may be a bit difficult to answer through text. If you have some time to reach out, I’d be more than happy to give you the full run down of that mixer over the phone!! You can reach out at the information below and we can dive into the details of that BiG SiX further.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 3230, nick_pasquino@sweetwater.com
Finally a Soundcraft Signature MTK killer
I want to make a video doing an actual mix on this console. I did one for the 22MTK which people seemed to enjoy.
Wonderful! Finally a board and interface I can invest in.
Finally ! A wish come true.
This is a great overview but I'm still missing a good video on how to actually use external gear, like the SSL UltraViolet, for example. Can something like the UltraViolet be used after the G-Bus compressor to expand the MixBus capabilities?
If only Mitch could show us how that would be done. :)
Great Job, SSL!
I want something like this for my tracking/mixing but with a better channel strips on each channel, like a better eq like the big ssl console boards with eq bells n curves & a good compressor with variety attack, release & threshold settings … but closer to this size!!!. But maybe with instead of 8 channel faders which they should make that too but i want 16 channels, eq & comps with 8pre’s .
Finally a successor to the Yamaha n12
Somehow all I wanna do with watching this video... is now buy a watch... A BIG SHINY AWESOME WATCH.
damn this looks great. i might use my SSL six as a drum bus feeding into this one!
Mines haven’t arrived yet but I sure can’t wait I’m going to bypass the interface and pair it with my avid Carbon, this is what people don’t understand I’m sure the interface on the big six and the A/D converters are great but if you pair this with high end pre amps and as we all know that the A/D converters are amazing on the carbon paired with HDX DSP system this will definitely take my vocals and mixing and mastering to another level, by using the eq the compresor and the bus compressor as insert and actual hardware i can eliminate some of the Plugins I use on my Master chain and vocal chain which will free up DSP power that I use with all the plugins which will eliminate latency.This is the best pice of gear that Ssl has built for smaller or Hybrid studios, I understand that this not for everyone there is a war and a lot of controversy on this new console older engineers with higher end equipment or old school mentality see it as a worthless pice of gear but for us the newer Generation that comes from mixing and mastering in the Box Hybrid system is just something the old heads don’t understand hardware is amazing but this is like a grey Jedi it’s a balance between hardware and plugging tow of the best worlds and this is why The Big six is the beginning of Hybrid consoles, I had a SSl Nucleus 2 and I loved the Pres and the moving faders but it was so limited I’m glad they moved away from that and made a smaller version of there bigger console with tools that we need to tweak are music to the level and sound like the big boys this is just an amazing pice of gear can’t wait to get mines 😎
Cool video. I'd love one of these. Looks like a good combination of an interface and a mixer.
My Mackie ProFx 12v3 (bought from Sweetwater of course) works well and can act as an interface as well, but in trying to use it for live looping in Ableton I realized that my signal was getting looped and re-recorded. So if you have Ableton playing your drum loop and try to record a keyboard or anything else you'll get the drums coming back in while recording it. I'm barely able to work around this by sending the computer audio out to the sub mix (which then means I have to use TRS cables to connect to my PA rather than the speaker cables). I'm only able to do this because the 12v3 has a sub mix... can't use the 6v3 or 10v3 because they lack the sub mix.
This piece of gear looks like an awesome mixer and an awesome interface, and combined together would be great with Ableton for live performances but then also later on while mixing.
this is cool, but missing the level of control I'd want to actually invest in it. I don't want the light versions of the eq, compressor, and bus compressor, I want the full thing with the ability to fully adjust the bands on the compressor, the release times on the compressors and the attack time of the bus compressor. If i wanted to buy a mini SSL console I'd want an actual mini SSL console.
Totally agree. I guess all that’s a way to keep costs low. In the Vintage King demo, they used a bunch of Neve and Rupert Neve outboard gear and ran it through this thing… no wonder it sounded good. I’d pay more for a more in-depth mixer of the same size, with higher quality.
Thank you Mitch for the video.
it looks really cool and that mix sounds great. It makes a lot of sense to be for tracking but for mixing it must be limiting?? If you have a project with 30 or 50 or whatever.. tracks what do you do? Do you have to pick 6 to route to the Big Six console? What about the other tracks?
Great review and great music. Im sure so many people want this, it offers so much. It is a lot of money but im sure people will buy it. That was a really very clever move from SSL. It makes you wonder how they didnt come up with it before.
How is the ad da conversion on this ?
On my shopping list. thanks.
Maybe the other big makers-Neve, API, ETC.-will follow suit here. This looks really nice, but I’m not an SSL fan.
This is a phenomenal mixer from SSL
It's probably just as mediocre as everything they've put out since the AWS lineup
@@mgmg116 never used their mixers only their audio interfaces but you maybe right Buddy
@@NablusRain In my opinion, their last good mixers were the 900 series.
Everything else they've made has been bland. Like, it's not bad equipment at all, it's all fantastic, but it's too clean. Too sterile. Doesn't impart any interesting harmonics to the sound, doesn't add anything to your signal the way it should.
If I invest in analog gear, it's because I want that gear to impart some character or vibe to my sound, but all of the newer stuff sounds too clean for my tastes.
In my personal opinion, it makes more sense to buy a used FOH/live mixer, like a Soundcraft or an Allen & Heath or even a Mackie, and then buy some outboard converters and an RME interface to get all those channels into and out of your computer.
It'll give you that analog saturation, total control over the sound in the digital domain, AND it'll still cost less than the new SSL Big Six
This is going to be a success. SSL finally, after 20+ years of people working in the box, took everything we love about them and made it 100% practical. My only question here is about recall, etc. Is it going to be old-school, track sheet style recall or is there some digital component involved? Either way, this is ridiculously cool…but I feel like we’ve all been irreparably spoiled to the point where some newer engineers probably don’t know what “recall” even is.
If the Mackie 1202VLZ were a Pokemon, its final evolution would be an SSL Big Six.
Nice review Mitch. Will you say this is better than getting a Prism Lyra 2 for an home studio owner who does want quality tracking and 100% in the box mixing but with mastering grade converters. How will its converters compare to what we have in Apollo, Audient and Prism
Thanks for that. Very interesting.
This is awesome.
Stereo io is very useful for all those lovely strymon effects
a true beauty
I think we all have been waiting for this. But for me it's major overkill. Good on SSL for doing this. So tempted, but I don't need all the channels lol and the other one isn't the right fit either.
This is the end-all portastudio thingy...
We, as a species, have finally evolved...
the big six doesn't have motorized faders. what does that mean for editing using daw and what about automation tasks. what to do. how does it behave then?
SSL please make MK2 with ADAT and/or direct outs...
Question? What is the maximum channel count can it record simultaneously at high sample rate? Thanks in advance
Hey, Rangdap! Thanks for your interest. The BiG SiX does up to 16 channels in simultaneously at 96kHz over USB.
I hope this helps! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1793, connor_smith@sweetwater.com
@@sweetwater Thanks for the clarification. You guys Rocks!!!
Thank you. 🧿
Can you connect multiple big sixes together? Like with Apollo’s you can do this. Would be an absolute game changer if this is possible with the big six!!!
Hey there, Isaac! Yeah, that would be sweet to run multiple together - unfortunately, there isn’t really any type of way to do this that would really make it worth the investment.
The Apollo’s are able to be connected via a Thunderbolt cable and will then all be linked within their Console software, so all the channels that you’ve chained together are showing up digitally.
With the BigSix, there isn’t a way to digitally connect multiple units together. So, if you had 2 together, you wouldn’t be able to take advantage of all the features that you get out of just 1.
Thanks a ton for reaching out!
Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 3230, nick_pasquino@sweetwater.com
@@sweetwater ahh that makes sense! Thank you so much for the clarification!!
I may be the first owner in Canada eh ? Yay
Hecks yeah!
10:37 Focusrite? :) Also which sampling rate it converts AD/DA 16 channels through USB? Thanks for review!
Isn’t SuperAnalog with USB an oxymoron?
Tracking, how about latency, Any notes on that?
I asked the same question and I'm still waiting for a reply.
Thanks for this video. The only thing I haven't been able to get an answer to is how to incorporate outboard gear on the individual tracks during mix-down. Is it possible to use the inserts on 1-4 when switched to USB mode? How about channels 5-12? Cheers
I have been trying to find this one for myself also
The USB switch at the top of the channel strip brings the USB signal back into the mixer right after the pre’s-so the EQ, comp, and insert all process the channel during mix down. No inserts on the stereo channels, but you could always use the sends or route to bus B to pass a stereo channel through outboard. Then you’d bring the outboard back through another stereo channel, an EXT input, or even the unity main bus summing input.
Hey, Robin! That's a great question. The USB input will receive everything post pre amp on each individual track. So, any insert return, EQ, or dynamics processing will all be printed into your DAW for each channel. The only thing that's not sent into your computer (USB mode) is the main fader on each channel.
I hope this helps!
Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 3230, nick_pasquino@sweetwater.com
Someone needs to do a comprehensive video on using the Big Six with Harrison Mixbus32c. Specifically; setting up a template for stems and master back to daw -burning tracks back post fader on stems-to ‘recall’ easily and the channels 15/16 master 2 track mix w/ effects loop engaged . I’ve tried this and have only been partially successful. I’m getting double bussed issues with. 15/16 back to daw-user error for sure.
thank you
For me this is the cheapest summing and quarter of your outboard for mixing… not so much as you colour units but the SSL main sound well known for being great for mixing a wide genre base… and again it’s cheap… with USB, SSL conversion!? … again very cheap in comparison… although it’s being sold as recording and it wouldn’t be that great on recording unless you had the other outboard to make a good recording setup… I do think the preamps are good for a particular type of sound … a bit of drive… or low gain very clean with a hint of radio sound… “the sound that sells” lol but would still be the Best Buy for the start of a analog mixing environment… prefer other converters but the USB means you can take it as a hub for travelling or temporary moving a bit of the setup… or production in general
Why I write when I’m tired 🥱 lol
I have a small hybrid production recording studio and use the six and use the uc1.. Now if they had the 4k button on that for different channels like they have on the ssl2+ i would get one... For that simple reason im not .. Besides the price .. But i would've gotten one..
What's it like using this ssl big six with software like protools. how is the integration? do I have to learn every button from scratch or is there a template for different softwares?
That thing is nice.
I am using the SSL six and love this console. When can I get one in Germany?
So if i use a cue send in post fader for a comfort reverb when tracking a vocal it wont be printed in the DAW track.
I hope CLA doesn't ditch his Ssl board for this one.😄😆😅😂😂😆😂😂😁😅😃😄
I wish SSL used an optical out / spidif to connect another interface to extend channels cause having at least 8 is what I need for recording band
Any work around to expand the inputs (XLR signal mic ?)
Currently recording into a UA twin finity preamp into my interface into my Mac. Is this going to sound better than that setup ? Or is it mainly just about the workflow ? I’m interested but for 3k it can’t just be a mild step up in sound and presence.
Should I sell my Audient id44 and get this? Or expand ADAT with the 880/800 and use some controllers?
so my question is, when it's mix down and bounce/export time, is the compressors built into the mixer part of the final digital mix down.
Hello, great question! That is up to you - you can choose to route the audio through the channel and master compressors when tracking, use them as inserts, or use the master bus compressor on your final mix.
Let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1281, Jason_Filloramo@sweetwater.com
In England there is a hierarchy's. Meaning SSL is not a Neve, they are a lesser lineage in every way ! They can't match the sound !
nice!!
how much this Big Six
Does it fit With 19” rack? So I Can Mount it in my table
Yes there is a rack kit.
Is this mixer intended to be the primary audio interface with the computer?
Hi, David! Thanks for your interest. The BiG SiX does have a 16x16 USB audio interface built in, so it can indeed serve as your primary interface. However, it also has plenty of analog I/O, so it can also integrate with other interfaces purely as an analog console. It really depends on your setup and what other gear you are planning to use with it.
I hope this helps a bit - feel free to contact me directly with any further questions, and thanks again!
Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1620, caleb_lowrey@sweetwater.com