Solid State Logic Live L100,Live L350,L500 Plus,Live L300,Live L500,Live L550 Installation Manual

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Installation Guide

Part no. 82BL5G01J

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SSL Live Installation Information

Document Revision History

V4.8

January 2019

V4.7

July 2018

V4.5

Dec 2017

V4.0

May 2017

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Contents

Maintenance: Dust Guards 4

Live Console Synchronisation & Clocking 4

Clocking in General 4
Selecting a Clock Source 4
Clocking via a Blacklight II Concentrator 5
Clocking over Dante 5

Clocking over a BLII/X-Light Bridge 6
Setting the Sample Rate 7
Clocking MADI Stageboxes 7

Daisy-Chaining MADI Stageboxes 8
AES/EBU Connections 8

L100 Console 10

L100 Connections - Front 10
L100 Console Connections - Rear 10
L100 Console Weight, Power & Dimensions 11
L200 Connections - Front 12
L200 Console Connections - Rear 12
L200 Console Weight, Power & Dimensions 13

L300 & L350 Consoles 14

L300 & L350 Connections - Front 14
L300 & L350 Connections - Rear 14
L300 & L350 Console Weight, Power & Dimensions 15

L500 Plus Console 16

L500 Plus Connections - Front 16
L500 Plus Connections - Rear 16
L500 Plus Console Weight, Power & Dimensions 17

L550 Console 18

L550 Plus Connections - Front 18
L550 Plus Connections - Rear 18
L550 Console Weight, Power & Dimensions 19

Console Remote, Timecode & Sync Panel 20

Remote Tile 21

Remote Tile Weight, Power & Dimensions 21

ML 32.32 5U Mic/Line Stagebox 23

ML I.32 5U Mic/Line Input Stagebox 24
ML O.32 5U Line Output Stagebox 24
ML 32.32 Weight & Dimensions 24

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SSL Live Installation Information

D 32.32 AES Digital 2U Stagebox 25

D 32.32 Weight & Dimensions 25

BLII.D 2U Blacklight-MADI Concentrator 26

BLII.D Weight & Dimensions 26

Net I/O BLII Bridge - Blacklight II to Dante Bridge 27

BLII Bridge Weight & Dimensions 27

Net I/O X-Light Bridge 28

X-Light Bridge Weight & Dimensions 28

Connections - Key 29

Typical Installation Diagrams 37

Simple Single System 37
Blacklight II Single System (with Redundancy) 38
Dual Console MADI System 39
Dual Console System with Blacklight from each console 40

Optional Console Stand 41

L500 / L500 Plus / L550 (SSL part 62A7000XL) 41

L300 / L350 (SSL part 62A7300XL) 42

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SSL Live Installation Information

Maintenance: Dust Guards

Your Live Console may be fitted with dust guards covering the air vents beneath the faders. It is
recommended that the filter foam should be regularly inspected for particular buildup.

Unscrew the M3 screws that secure the dust guards in place and inspect both sides of the guard. If
necessary, vacuum clean. Extremely dirty filters may be cleaned with water and replaced when dry.

Filter pads may last several years before needing replacement. Please contact SSL for replacement
filter pads.

Live Console Synchronisation & Clocking

The Live console and associated stageboxes are connected digitally and thus must share a common
digital clock (sync) source. This section describes how to set up a Live system with multiple
stageboxes and multiple consoles successfully, using both internal and external clock sources.

Clocking in General

The Live console has a very high quality internal clock that can be used to clock an entire system with
multiple Live consoles and stageboxes connected, so no external clock source is needed unless a
specific application requires it. If there is a specific requirement for external clocking of a Live system,
the external clock must match the sample rate at which the Live console is running (or PAL 25/NTSC

29.97 video sync).

Note: It is also important that, if an external clock is used, only the Live console should be connected

to the clock source. SSL Live stageboxes will receive their clock via the MADI stream from the
console. We do not recommend connecting external clocks to each of the stageboxes in this
configuration.

ALL AES/EBU connections on the console and D32.32 stageboxes have sample rate converters and
can accommodate digital devices at alternative sample rates, or those running in a different clock
domain. The AES/EBU connection options and set up are detailed below.

Selecting a Clock Source

The console can be clocked internally, or externally via video, AES, wordclock, MADI, Blacklight II or
Dante Expander. This is set from MENU > Setup > Options > SYSTEM tab:

Select the required clock source (if MADI or Blacklight II, press the button again and select which
MADI/Blacklight port to use from the drop down menu) then press & hold the APPLY button. Ensure
that the “Requested” and “Actual” sources match.

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If the clock source is lost, the console will try other clock sources in this sequence: BLII, MADI, video,
AES, wordclock, internal, until it finds a valid clock. The original but lost source will need to be
manually re-selected and applied once it has been reconnected - it will not switch clocks back and
forth automatically in case of an intermittent clock source.

The status bar at the top of the main screen will show a clock source change to warn the operator.

Clocking via a Blacklight II Concentrator

Two consoles may be connected to a Blacklight II Concentrator for sharing a set of stageboxes. The
'Master' console (designated as such by connecting to the Blacklight Concentrator's A ports) will
distribute its clock to the Blacklight system and any stageboxes and consoles connected to it. The
'Slave' console (designated by connecting to the Blacklight Concentrator's B ports) should therefore
set its clock source to the corresponding BLII port on the rear of the console.

The Master console should distribute either its internal clock over Blacklight II (by selecting the Int
option), or one of the external clock source options listed above, with the exception of any Blacklight
port of which it is the Master. Selecting the BLII clock source button will reveal a subset of buttons.
The Slave console should use the Blacklight II option. However, the Master console may use one of
the MADI options if an external MADI source is connected to the corresponding MADI input on the
Blacklight Concentrator. This could be a MADI feed from a third party device providing clock, or
wordlock via a stagebox set to its external wordclock input.

Clocking over Dante

Before proceeding, ensure that the console’s Dante Expander Module, and BLII/X-Light Bridge if
applicable, and any stageboxes or other Dante devices appear in black text in Dante Controller. If the
devices are not visible or visible in red text please see

livehelp.solidstatelogic.com/Help/DanteSetup.html in the SSL Live Help System.

Dante uses its own “Clock Election” process to determine the most appropriate Clock Master for the
Dante network and a Clock Master will be chosen automatically. For more information on the Dante
Clock Election process please see the Audinate website:

dev.audinate.com/GA/dante-controller/userguide/webhelp/#clock_synchronization.htm

To choose a Clock Master manually, set this device to be the “Preferred Master”. To do this, open
Dante Controller and click on the Clock Status tab. Check the “Preferred Master” checkbox for your
chosen Clock Master. This device will become the Clock Master.

If multiple devices on the network are “Preferred Masters”, the Dante Clock Election process will
automatically choose a Clock Master from the multiple “Preferred Masters”.

If the Clock Master’s status changes, or a more suitable Clock Master comes online, the Dante
network will go through the Clock Election steps again to determine the most suitable Clock Master for
the network.

If you are not using Dante network redundancy, please use the primary connection (rather than the
secondary) to ensure accurate synchronisation.

SSL Recommends: SSL recommends that the console is set to clock from the Dante network to
benefit from the Dante clock election process.

Setting up the Console as a Slave of the Dante Network

In this configuration, a Dante device other than the console is the Clock Master. The console and all
other devices on the network will clock to this master.

In Dante Controller, go to the Clock Status tab. Check the “Preferred Master” checkbox for the Clock
Master device(s) if you wish to set one. Dante has its own clock election process, so it is not
necessary to set a Preferred Master. For this example ensure that “Preferred Master” and “Sync to
External” are unchecked for all devices on the network (including the console’s Dante Expander).

On the console, go to MENU > Setup > Options > SYSTEM tab. In the “SYSTEM CLOCK” section,
select Dante Expander and press and hold Apply. Check that both the “Requested” and “Actual”
fields above list “Dante Expander”.

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SSL Live Installation Information

The chosen “Preferred Master” (if set) is now the Clock Master of the network, including the console.
The console is now clocking from its Dante Expander module. The Dante Expander module is clocking
from the “Preferred Master” on the Dante network. All other devices on the network are clocking from
the “Preferred Master” on the Dante network.

Note that if selecting Dante as a clock source on the console, the console’s internal clock source will
not drop back to another clock source if the Dante network clock is lost. The Dante Expander module
incorporates an internal clock which will be become the Clock Master of the Dante network in this
instance until another device on the network is identified as the most suitable Clock Master from the
Clock Election process.

Important: It is not recommended to clock from Dante if the Dante SRC In is engaged.
Consoles clocked from stageboxes via MADI or Wordclock are not recommended to be used as Dante
network Clock Master sources.

Clocking over a BLII/X-Light Bridge

The console can be the Master or the Slave of the Dante Network through the BLII/X-Light Bridge.

Setting up the Console as a Slave of the Dante Network

For the most reliable clocking scheme, SSL recommends that the console is set to be a slave of the
Dante network when using a BLII/X-Light Bridge.

In this configuration, a Dante device other than the console is the Clock Master. The BLII/X-Light
Bridge is set to clock from the Dante Network, and the console clocks from the Bridge.

In Dante Controller, go to the Clock Status tab. Check the “Preferred Master” checkbox for the Clock
Master device.

On the console, go to MENU > Setup > Options > SYSTEM tab. In the “SYSTEM CLOCK” section,
select BLII 1 and press and hold Apply. Check that both the “Requested” and “Actual” fields above
list the correct port.

On an L500 Plus or L550 with two pairs of BLII/X-Light ports fitted, select either port 1 or 2
depending on which port has been used to connect to the BLII/X-Light Bridge (On L550 BLII is port 1,
X-Light is port 2). To select port 2, tap the BLII/X-Light 1 button twice and a drop down menu will
appear. Tap 2, then tap Blacklight II if using a BLII Bridge. Check that both the “Requested” and
“Actual” fields above list the correct port.

If configured correctly the following LEDs will be seen on the BLII/X-Light Bridge:

LED

If configured correctly will light

BL S

Off

NET S

Redundant system: Solid Green
Non-redundant system: Flashing Green & Red

GM (BLII Bridge only)

Off

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SSL Live Installation Information

If colours differ from the above please consult the full tables in the SSL Live Help System

livehelp.solidstatelogic.com/Help/DanteBridges.html.

When the BLII/X-Light Bridge becomes the Clock Master

If the BL S and NET S LEDs are off and the GM LED is Solid Green (BLII Bridge only), the BLII/X-Light
Bridge has become the master of the network. This could occur if the console and BLII/X-Light Bridge
were set to clock from a Dante device on the network, but this Clock Master loses connection to the
network. The BLII/X-Light Bridge could then be chosen by the Dante network as the Clock Master of
the Dante network.

This is a perfectly valid clocking scheme. The BLII/X-Light Bridge will now clock the console and the
network from its internal clock. The console’s clock source will remain as Dante.

To manually set the BLII/X-Light Bridge to be the clock master, follow the same steps as configuring
the console to clock from the Dante network, but check the “Preferred Master” box beside the
BLII/X-Light Bridge in Dante Controller.

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Setting the Sample Rate

The Live system can run at 96 kHz (recommended) or 48 kHz sample rates. Use the 96 kHz and 48
kHz buttons in the System page (MENU > Setup > SYSTEM) to change the console's sample rate.

The stageboxes must also be changed to match the console's sample rate; see below.

Aside from the FX Loop and optional Dante module interfaces, decreasing the sample rate to 48 kHz
does not increase the total input/output count; each MADI port carries 64 channels at 48 kHz but
odd-even MADI port pairs are always redundant (even-numbered ports on twin card Blacklight
Concentrator are disabled).

Important: Changing the console's sample rate will interrupt audio and cause routes to be dropped
as stagebox configurations will need to be changed. Muting all outputs to switch sample rate and for a
further 30 seconds is recommended.

Important: The console must be rebooted following a change in Sample Rate.

Clocking MADI Stageboxes

By default stageboxes are set to clock from the incoming MADI stream. This is the recommended
setting. Other stagebox clock sync options are internal or external wordclock.

The clock source and sample rate can be set from the physical
setup controls on the rear of each stagebox. The current clock
source is displayed to the right of the SETUP area: if neither clock
LED is lit, the stagebox is running on its own internal clock.

Note: The wordclock output transmits the clock signal currently in
use by the stagebox (i.e. it is not a loop thru), depending on the
stagebox's clock source setting).

To change the clock source, press & hold REMOTE and CLOCK
simultaneously until the padlock flashes green. Press CLOCK until MADI is lit. The colour shows the
following:

● Red: no MADI from master console detected.

● Red/green flashing: a single master MADI port is locked (non-redundant cabling).

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SSL Live Installation Information

● Green: both master MADI ports 1 & 2 are locked (redundant cabling).

To change the sample rate of the stagebox, unlock the controls as described above then use the

RATE button to cycle through the available options.

Note: Only 48 x1 and 48 x2 (96 kHz) clock rates are currently supported.

Note: If running at 96 kHz sample rate (48 x2), the ID field must be set to 1-32.

The controls will return to their locked state after a few seconds.

Daisy-Chaining MADI Stageboxes

Stageboxes running at 48 kHz sample rate can be daisy-chained on a single MADI stream, allowing all
64 channels of the MADI protocol to be utilised. With the controls unlocked, use the ID button to
toggle between channels 1-32 and 33-64.

● Connect the MADI Out from the console or Blacklight Concentrator to the MADI In of the first

stagebox (ID 1-32).

● Connect the MADI Out from the first stagebox to the MADI In of the second stagebox (ID

33-64).

● Connect the MADI Out from the second stagebox to the MADI In of the console or Blacklight

Concentrator.

● Repeat the above steps for the second set of MADI ports if connecting redundantly.

Daisy chaining MADI Stageboxes is only possible at 48 kHz.
Refer to the System Examples section below for further information.

Please note: When daisy-chaining two MADI stageboxes, MIDI is not supported on the second
stagebox in the chain.

AES/EBU Connections

All AES/EBU connections on the Live console's local I/O and D32.32 stageboxes have sample rate
converters (SRC's) available. These are enabled via the console's local/MADI I/O menu (MENU >
Setup > I/O > Local/MADI Configuration).

Select the local I/O or D32.32 stagebox in the I/O page and select the specific AES/EBU input or
output you wish to sample rate convert from the lower section of the screen.

For inputs, you will be presented with a single SRC In button to the right middle of the screen for the
selected port. The console supports the input rates listed in the Input fs column in the table below and
will convert the incoming audio to 96 kHz (or 48 kHz).

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SSL Live Installation Information

The table below also shows the sample rates available for AES/EBU outputs. There are some
additional controls for output ports, as shown above.

Supported Sample Rates at 96 kHz

SRC

Clock

Source

AES/EBU

Corresponding

Input fs

AES/EBU

Output fs:

SRC Out

AES/EBU

Output fs:

SRC In x1

AES/EBU

Output fs:

SRC In x2

AES/EBU

Output fs:

SRC In x4

AES/EBU

Output fs:

SRC In Def

INT (Console)

-

96 kHz

48 kHz

96 kHz

192 kHz

96 kHz

IN

(Correspondin

g

Input AES

Pair)

44.1 kHz

96 kHz

44.1 kHz

88.2 kHz

176.4 kHz

88.2 kHz

48 kHz

96 kHz

48 kHz

96 kHz

192 kHz

96 kHz

88.2 kHz

96 kHz

44.1 kHz

88.2 kHz

176.4 kHz

88.2 kHz

96 kHz

96 kHz

48 kHz

96 kHz

192 kHz

96 kHz

176.4 kHz

96 kHz

44.1 kHz

88.2 kHz

176.4 kHz

88.2 kHz

192 kHz

96 kHz

48 kHz

96 kHz

192 kHz

96 kHz

Supported Samples Rates at 48 kHz

SRC

Clock

Source

AES/EBU

Corresponding

Input fs

AES/EBU

Output fs:

SRC Out

AES/EBU
Output fs:
SRC In x1

AES/EBU
Output fs:
SRC In x2

AES/EBU
Output fs:
SRC In x4

AES/EBU
Output fs:

SRC In Def

INT (Console)

-

48 kHz

48 kHz

96 kHz

192 kHz

48 kHz

IN
(Corresponding
Input AES Pair)

44.1 kHz

48 kHz

44.1 kHz

88.2 kHz

176.4 kHz

44.1 kHz

48 kHz

48 kHz

48 kHz

96 kHz

192 kHz

48 kHz

88.2 kHz

48 kHz

44.1 kHz

88.2 kHz

176.4 kHz

44.1 kHz

96 kHz

48 kHz

48 kHz

96 kHz

192 kHz

48 kHz

176.4 kHz

48 kHz

Not Supported

Not Supported

Not Supported

Not Supported

192 kHz

48 kHz

Not Supported

Not Supported

Not Supported

Not Supported

Note: The multiplier controls (x1, x2 and x4) are relative to a base sample rate (lowest common
denominator) of 44.1 or 48k, not the operating rate of the console (48 or 96k).

Engaging SRC In and setting the output clock to IN will clock the AES output from the corresponding
AES input, at 1, 2, or 4 times the base rate (44.1 or 48k).

Setting the output clock to INT will use the console as the clock source. This can also be set to x1,

x2, or x4 of this base sample rate (48k).

Tip: Setting the output SRC to IN will set this AES port's output to clock from the corresponding input

rather than the console clock. This is useful if the external device has issues clocking to an external
clock. This setting will allow the external device to use its internal clock, with the Live console's AES
SRC locked to the external device, allowing the device to clock itself thus avoiding clocking errors.
For example, if using a 96 kHz reverb, set it to internal clock and set the console's SRC settings to
SRC In for both input and output AES/EBU ports. For the output port, select In and x2 (for 96k).

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SSL Live Installation Information

L100 Console

L100 Connections - Front

L100 Console Connections - Rear

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Connections Key

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SSL Live Installation Information



L100 Console Weight, Power & Dimensions

Weight (without flight case)

52 kg (114.7 lbs)

Weight (with flight case)

130 kg (286.6 lbs)

Acoustic Noise

With non-redundant PSU: = NR23

With redundant PSUs: = NR25

Power

<360 W

Console Dimensions: (upper figures in millimeters, lower figures, inches) - A DXF drawing is
available from SSL

Plan View

Side View

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SSL Live Installation Information

L200 Console

L200 Connections - Front

L200 Console Connections - Rear

Connections Key

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SSL Live Installation Information

L200 Console Weight, Power & Dimensions

Weight (without flight case)

85 kg (188 lbs)

Weight (with flight case)

210 kg (463 lbs)

Acoustic Noise

< NR40

Power

<460 W

Console Dimensions: (upper figures in millimeters, lower figures, inches) - A DXF drawing is
available from SSL

Plan View

Side View

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