Hi

I am in the market for some SSL gear. I can't afford a nice desk such as the SSL AWS900 so I heard about SSL's X-rack and Superanalogue channel and wanted to ask if anyone knew the difference between the two.

I am not an engineer yet and am just starting out so don't know a whole lot yet but from what I understood after reading some articles is that the superanalogue channel is basically one of the channels extracted from the SSL desk to get that SSL sound without getting the whole desk. What then is the X-rack for and how does it compare to the Xlogic superanalogue channel and why would someone prefer one over the other?

thanks!

Ok let me try:
The Superanalogue Channel is pretty much based on a SSL 9k console channelstrip.

The X-Rack is a modular system where you have a variety of modules with ingredients of different SSL consoles (like the 9k, 4k, duality...) to choose from. In addition the X-Rack offers summing-, stereo- and recall-options.

If you select X-Rack modules based on the 9k you should come pretty close to what the superanalogue channel does....it´s not gonna be cheaper though.
I mention this cause I think the superanalogue channel is discontinued and you might have a hard time to find one.
Another IMO unfortunatly discontinued contender would be the E-signature channel (pretty much based on 4k strip but with the VHD mic pre and the extra LComp).

This is hopefully what you asked for, but on a sidenote - if you are just "starting out"....there may be cheaper and preferable solutions than the SSL units
Hope this helps.

Ok I think I gotcha

You are right, there is cheaper gear to get started but I wasn't completely correct when I said I was starting out. I am not... I have had cheap gear for about 10 years but I am not an "engineer" by any means so never thought I deserved better. I want that to change and I want to get out of my current field of work (web design and development) and work in something that complements my other great passion in life. Songwriting and music. You can always resell good gear so I don't mind spending the money because I can't lose with it.

I guess my next question is, If I go for the X-rack route, is there anything that I can't get that the SSL AWS900 can give me? Why would anyone fork out for a console if you can get the same results with the Xrack?


THanks for the reply

I'm in the market for some SSL gear too but I'm not sure if the high prices will justify my needs I think one very important question you gotta ask yourself is:
"what do I really need" in terms of in- and outputs, faders, summing, eq, dynamics etc
Can you answer those questions?
In my case, 8 inputs (purely for my 8 busses from my DAW), 4 outputs (back into my DAW and at least 2 extra for adding my lunchbox), faders not needed but its nice to have them, summing yes, dynamics not needed but maybe..
I just want to add some analogue (SSL?) warmth to my DAW.
Still don't know which choice to make...

I use a pair of Superanalogue Channels. They are, as you might guess, fantastic tools. One of my channels has the optional A/D converter that lets me interface both channel strips digitally to my audio interface.

Great pieces of gear, but they've been secondhand only for a number of years now, and maintenance may soon be a problem. Finding the A/D converter is going to be a near-impossible task, so if you get one, get one with it already fitted if possible.

TBH my strips spend 95% of their lives as mic pre's and little more (maybe a hint of compression to keep things under control). In this respect they may be overkill.

Personally I wouldn't tie myself into the X-Rack. instead I'd be more tempted to look into the 500 series format where the options are wider.

If you're going more rock...I say go with a 500 series rack and get a pair of SSL 611 (E&G) EQ's...those are a blend of the two famous SSL 4000 EQ designs and will have a much more aggressive and fun sound. Heck even if I was going pop I'd want 'em.

I was never a fan of the J Series Super-analogue sound. I know a lot of people like it for pop...but it's very neutral to me (in a flat and kind of boring way if I'm honest.) I would pick a Great River Harrison 32c (based off the Harrison 32 EQ's they used to mix Thriller), or a Speck ASC-V EQ (Which is like a more musical Super-analogue EQ for less money.) if I was concerned about a neutral pop kind of sound.

The Great River Harrison, the Speck & and the SSL 611 are all 500 series compatible...so you could get a rack...and get a dealer to loan you a pair of each to try out...this way you could see which one really lights your fire side by side...I have a feeling you'll prefer the Speck to the basic super-analogue in the long run as you start to train your ear though, but I really love the SSL 611 on a lot of sources. (Especially snare drum, hand claps, and guitars!)

The Harrison would sound excellent on the 2Bus as well in a pair. (And it has a transformer on the output so it has a bit more of a 3D quality to it.)

Also a Maag EQ4 might be great for modern pop vocals...but I would think about them later down the line. (Since they can fit with the others in a 500 series rack.) Also the Maag is different in design than most EQ's...it will have a higher learning curve, so wait on it.

a lot of good replies but my main question still seems unanswered. What does the X-rack not offer that the AWS900 does. Is it simply the fact that the desk has more recording channels?

@erol excuse my ignorance but why 8 inputs and 4 outputs? why not 8 ins and 8 outs?

I don't really need 8 outputs because I want to send a stereo signal back to my DAW but 8 in/out will do fine

Hi again,

maybe it would be a bit easier if you´d give a little more info on what you´re up to .
From your other thread I gathered that you´re mainly looking for a "one man recording solution" - right ?

In this case I´m pretty sure you can achieve the sound of one or two AWS channels (going direct-out) with the right modules in an X-Rack.

If you were talking about mixing, summing, workflow, recording a band, overall sonics etc. the comparison between an X-Rack and an AWS is a completely different story. The AWS has a lot more to "offer" than better channelcount.

You might actually do better with a few 4 channel Alpha SSL pre's!

@helge

THanks for that. Could you be more specific on what that is please? My question was: What does the desk have that the X-rack can't offer?

thank you

Dude, a quick trip to SSL will give you all the info you want!

8 Track Buses
5.1 monitoring
DAW control
Talkback
Aux sends
Cue sends
legs

In terms of components and build, the Mic Pre's, EQs and Dynamics in the X-Rack are exactly the same as in the AWS. FWIW they are also the same components as design as in the SuperAnalogue Channel strip.

...metering, automation, touchsensitive fader, switchable insertpoint on every channel...
cheers