Solid State Logic XL-Desk Owner's Manual

XL-Desk

The smart dumb analogue console

Owner’s Manual

www.solidstatelogic.com

XL-Desk This is SSL.

Page B XL-Desk – Owner’s Manual

Document History

82BMLM01A Initial Release September 2014

XL-Desk – Owner’s Manual Page C

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 1

About This User Guide 1
Manual Conventions 1

Overview 2

K

ey Features: 2
Workflow 3
Subjects covered in the Tutorials section: 3
Website and Registration Information 3

2. Installation 5

What’s in The Wooden Crate? 5
Installation Notes 5

Power Connection 5
Thermal Considerations 5
Rear Panel Connections 5
Connector Summary 5
D-sub to XLR Breakout Leads 5

3. Studio Integration 7

Connectivity Example 7
Using XL-Desk Without a Patchbay 7
Using XL-Desk With a Patchbay 8

Patchbay Guidelines 8
Line Level Input/Outputs 8
Mic Inputs 8

4. Tutorials 9

The VHD preamplifier 9

Using the preamplifier 9

Mono Channels 9

Input 9
Trim 10
Stereo Cue and Mono Auxes 11
Using the ALT input button when mixing 11
Pan Pot, Mix Bus Assignments, CUT, SOLO and Faders 11

Stereo Channels 12
500-series Rack 13

Slots 1–16 13
Slots 9–16 13
Stereo Sidechain Link for odd/even pairs 14
Slots 17-18 14
Using the 500-series Rack With or Without a Patchbay 14
Bus Compressor 15

Page D XL-Desk – Owner’s Manual

Centre Section 16

Stereo Returns 16
Master Trims 16
Mix B, Mix C, Mix D Master Controls 16
M

ix A Master Controls 17
Solo Master Section 17
Monitoring Section 18
Mon Select 18
M

on Source 18
Foldback 19
Bargraph Metering 19

How to track with XL-Desk 20

Example 1 - Recording a small ensemble in a ‘split’ console style. 20
Example 2 - Recording a Full Band and Monitoring Back Via Stems 22
Creating Headphone Mixes for Tracking 24
Using 500-series Rack Slots 9-16 with Microphone Preamplifiers 25

5 - Configuration 27

Adjusting the Level of MINI 1 and MINI 2 Monitor Outputs 27
Option DIP Switches 28

6. Appendices 29

Appendix A – Signal Flow Block Diagram 29
Appendix B – Console dimensions 30
Appendix C – Connector Pinouts 31
Appendix D – 500-series Rack Specifications 32
Appendix E – Technical & Environmental Specifications 33
Appendix F – Hardware 34
Notes 35

XL-Desk – Owner’s Manual Page 1

1. Introduction

About This User Guide

Congratulations on purchasing your Solid State Logic XL-Desk. This User Guide aims to provide you with all the necessary
information to operate the console. The Guide is arranged into the following sections:

Introduction An overview of XL-Desk’s features.
Installation Useful information for installing XL-Desk in your studio. What’s in the box, connector summary

p

lus other information.

Studio Integration How XL-Desk connects to your existing studio equipment. How to use XL-Desk with or without

a patchbay.

Tutorials How to operate XL-Desk. A rundown of all front panel operations and suggested best practices.
Configuration Information on settable options like meter scaling and latching/momentary switches.
Appendices Additional technical information for reference.

Manual Conventions

• Labelling relating to the control surface appears in Bold.

• Labelling from the rear panel appears in Bold Italic.

Notes, tips and other useful information is indicated like this.

Page 2 XL-Desk – Owner’s Manual

Overview

X

L-Desk is a modern twist on the classic analogue studio console. It’s designed for tracking or mixing engineers who

r

equire an analogue console within a DAW-centric studio, but don’t want or need the integrated DAW control and analogue

l

evel automation other SSL console products have.

XL-Desk is in many ways a traditional 24 into 8 analogue console but it packs in an incredible collection of features. It has
20 channel strips: 16 dual input mono (switchable between main input or DAW return) and 4 stereo channels. The first
eight channels have VHD mic pre’s. There is an 18-slot 500-series rack built in that can be used for processing or mic
pre’s. XL-Desk ships with a legendary SSL Stereo Bus Compressor module in slots 17 & 18 (hard wired to Mix A). The rack
has its own dedicated high spec’ power supply.

There are four main Mix Buses (A, B, C, D) with buses B, C and D able to be summed into Mix A. The Buses and channels
can access the 500 rack and each have a separate insert point for processing. There are two mono aux sends and two
stereo return inputs. Direct outputs on every channel, stereo return and mix bus enable convenient stem printing. Each
channel has a Cue Stereo Bus section (with Pan and Level) used to provide one of the headphone mixes while tracking.
At mixdown the mono channel DAW return signals can be routed to the CUE ST bus and then summed into Mix A, so there
are 16 main faders + 16 Cue ST inputs + 4 Stereo channels providing 40 summing inputs (using the stereo returns and
insert Sum functions you can squeeze in over 50 summing inputs).

There is also a fully-featured monitoring section with bass management (3 sets of speakers + subwoofer), Foldback A and
B with individual talkbacks for headphone mixes and a built in Listen Mic input + classic compressor circuit, with its own
direct output.

Key Features:

• 20 + 1 fader, over 40 input SuperAnalogue™ SSL console

• 8-built in Variable Harmonic Drive (VHD) preamps

• 16 dual input mono channels (switchable between main input or DAW return)

• 4 stereo channels (switchable to mono for tracking)

• The legendary Stereo Bus Compressor, with new high-pass filter sidechain

• 18-slot 500-series rack built-in, accessible from channels or mix busses

• In addition to a 500-series rack insert each mono channel also has a standard insert point

• 4 stereo Mix Buses with their own insert points and access to the 500 rack

• One stereo and 2 mono aux sends. Two dedicated stereo return inputs

• Direct outputs on every channel, stereo return and mix bus for stem printing

• Fully-featured monitoring section with bass management

• Foldback A and B with individual talkbacks for headphone mixes

• Built in Listen Mic input + classic compressor circuit, with its own direct output

• AFL and Solo-In-Place solo modes, with Solo Clear and Solo Safe (Protect) modes

• Balanced D-Sub rear panel inputs/outputs & Front panel headphones & iJack sockets

• High quality internal PSU

XL-Desk – Owner’s Manual Page 3

Workflow

There are good reasons why so many leading engineers and producers still choose to mix on a console, some of them
because of sonic aspects and others because of workflow choices. Mixing out-of-the-box gives a wider sound-stage and
a distinct colouration that no plug-in can equal. We’re also told that it is easier to get a mix together quickly with a console
and that it feels more intuitive than a mouse. XL-Desk gives a full-featured console workflow, but with a project-studio
friendly footprint under 1m2. With 2 insert points on each mono channel you can mix and match rackmount and 500-series
processors to make the XL-Desk the hub of your hybrid studio world! Connect your XL-Desk to a patchbay for ultimate
flexibility, and use the direct outs from every channel and Bus to print files back into your DAW for easy mix revisions.

Tutorials

This manual includes a series of detailed tutorials covering different workflow which can be achieved with XL-Desk,
including the connectivity required to achieve them.

Subjects covered in the Tutorials section:

• Recording a small ensemble in a ‘split’ console style

• Recording a full Band and Monitoring Back via Stems

• Creating Headphone Mixes for Tracking

• Using 500-series Rack Slots 9-16 with Microphone Preamplifiers

Website and Registration Information

You can register your XL-Desk on the SSL website: at http://store.solidstatelogic.com/user

8 x VHD

Microphone

Preamps

16 + 2 slot

500-series Rack

G-Series Bus

Compressor with

HPF selection

4 Stereo/Mono Channels

16 Mono channels
(2 Inputs per strip)

Stereo Cue,

2 Mono Auxes

Dedicated Stereo

Returns

i

Device Ledge

Mix Bus B C D
Master Section

Monitoring Section

with Bass

Management

Communications
(Foldback/Listen)

Mix A Master Fader

Page 4 XL-Desk – Owner’s Manual

Rear Panel Audio Connectors

M

ONITOR OUTS

S

TEREO OUT 1 - 4

M

ISC OUTS 2

I

NSERT RETURN 1 - 8

INSERT SEND 9 - 16

I

NSERT RETURN 9 - 16

M

IC INPUT 1 - 8

DAW INPUT 1 - 8

CHANNEL OUT 1 - 8

CHANNEL OUT 9 - 16

LINE INPUT 9 - 16

INSERT SEND 1 - 8

D

AW INPUT 9 - 16

5

00 SLOT IN 1 - 8

MISC INPUTS

5

00 SLOT OUT 1 - 8

5

00 SEND 1 - 8

5

00 RETURN 1 - 8

5

00 SLOT IN 9 - 16

5

00 SLOT OUT 9 - 16

5

00 SEND 9 - 16

5

00 RETURN 9 - 16

STEREO INPUT 1 - 4

MISC OUTS 1

AJ

C

J

M

IX A B C D OUT

MIX A B C D SEND

MIX A B C D RETURN

DB25 Connector Signals Notes

MIC INPUT 1 - 8 VHD microphone preamplifier inputs

DAW INPUT 1 - 8 Line-level inputs (connect outputs 1-8 from your audio interface here)

INSERT SEND 1 - 8 Main Insert Sends for mono channels 1-8

INSERT RETURN 1 - 8

Main Insert Returns for mono channels 1-8 (associated with INS front panel
button)

CHANNEL OUT 1 - 8 Direct Channel Outputs for mono channels 1-8

500 SEND 1 - 8 Secondary Insert Sends for mono channels 1-8

500 SLOT IN 1 - 8 500-series rack inputs 1-8

500 SLOT OUT 1 - 8 500-series rack outputs 1-8

500 RETURN 1 - 8

Secondary Insert Returns for mono channels 1-8 (associated with 500 front
panel button)

LINE INPUT 9 - 16 Line-level inputs

DAW INPUT 9 - 16 Line-level inputs (connect outputs 9-16 from your audio interface here)

INSERT SEND 9 - 16 Main Insert Sends for mono channels 9-16

INSERT RETURN 9 - 16

Main Insert Returns for mono channels 9-16 (associated with INS front panel
button)

CHANNEL OUT 9 - 16 Direct Channel Outputs for mono channels 9-16

MONITOR OUTS Loudspeaker outputs for monitoring: Main L, R; Mini 1L, 1R; Mini 2L, 2R; Sub DB25 to XLR-M loom

STEREO INPUT 1 - 4 Line-level inputs for the stereo channels DB25 to XLR-F loom

STEREO OUT 1 - 4 Direct channel outputs for the stereo channels DB25 to XLR-M loom

MISC INPUTS Stereo Return In 1L, 1R; Stereo Return In 2L, 2R; External Input L, R DB25 to XLR-F loom

MISC OUTS 1 Stereo Return Out 1L, 1R; Stereo Return Out 2L, 2R; Meter L, R; Listen Mic Out DB25 to XLR-M loom

MISC OUTS 2 Foldback Out AL, AR; Foldback Out BL, BR; Cue Stereo L, R; Aux Out 1, 2 DB25 to XLR-M loom

MIX A B C D SEND Mix Insert send for the 4 stereo mix busses

MIX A B C D RETURN Mix Insert return for the 4 stereo mix busses

MIX A B C D OUT Stereo mix bus outputs

AJ and CJ Top secret!

DB25 Connector Summary

XL-Desk – Owner’s Manual Page 5

2. Installation

WHAT’S IN THE WOODEN CRATE?

•

The console

• Mains lead

• D-Sub – D-Sub cables (x4)

•

Installation Guide

INSTALLATION NOTES

Power Connection

The console is fitted with auto-sensing power supplies which will function at any voltage from 100 to 230 volts ±10%
without adjustment.

Three IEC mains power-leads may be supplied: one with a UK 3-pin fused plug fitted, one with US-style 3-pin mains plug
fitted and one with a european 3-pin plug. Please select the appropriate lead for the local power outlets.

Thermal Considerations

The console is cooled by fan-assisted convection from the front inlet (below the front buffer) to the exit in the rear panel.
It is VERY important that these ventilation grills are not obstructed in any way – particularly if the console is going to be
mounted into additional furniture.

CAUTION. The heatsink fins on the console rear panels can reach temperatures of approximately 30 degrees
Celsius above the ambient room temperature.

Rear Panel Connections

All connections to the console – apart from the headphone and iJack sockets – are located on the rear panel.

• D-Sub connectors are all high-quality 25-way female

• The screw pillars utilise the standard UNC-440 thread

• All connections are balanced and are wired to the AES59 Analogue Standard (also known as the Tascam standard)

• XLR connectors are wired with pin 2 ‘hot’

Connector Summary

Analogue I/O 25-way D-Type sockets Refer to table on page 4
Monitor L 3-pin XLR-Male Main LS Left*
Monitor R 3-pin XLR-Male Main LS Right*
Listen In 3-pin XLR-Female Listen Mic Input
USB Type-B chassis socket Diagnostics (SSL Service use)
Power Supply IEC320 3-pin connector

* These signals also appear on the MONITOR OUTS DB25 connector

Refer to Appendix C, page 31 for connector pinout information.

D-sub to XLR Breakout Leads

When connecting directly to external equipment – amplifiers, effects units, meters etc. – adapter leads that convert the
console’s DB25 female connectors into 8 x XLRs are likely to be useful. Refer to the table on page 4 for notes on where
these adapter leads might be required.

5A

1

USB

M

ONITOR R

L

ISTEN IN

2

3

1

M

ONITOR L

Not to scale!

Studio Integration Diagram

Page 6 XL-Desk – Owner’s Manual

Live Room

POWER

MADI RATE CLOCK LEVEL OUTPUTS INPUTS

MX

16 - 4

POWER

MADI RATE CLOCK LEVEL OUTPUTSINPUTS

M

X

4 - 16

POWER

MADI RATE CLOCK LEVEL OUTPUTSINPUTS

MX

4 - 16

3

sets of Speakers plus Subwoofer

Outboard Mic Preamps

AlphaLink MX

VHD Mic In

1–8

8 x

2 x

Line In

9–16

DAW Line

Inputs

Channel

Direct Outs

Mix Bus
Outputs

MP3 Player

Headphones

Stereo return

Outputs

Monitor
Outputs

Stereo Channel

Inputs

Foldback

Outputs A & B

Listen Mic

Outboard Rack Gear

Outboard FX

(Reverb/Delays)

MADI

DAW

Cue/Aux

Sends

Stereo

Return Input

Insert
Sends

Insert

Returns

XL-Desk – Owner’s Manual Page 7

3. Studio Integration

CONNECTIVITY EXAMPLE

See diagram on page 6 for an example of how other studio equipment can be connected to XL-Desk.

USING XL-DESK WITHOUT A PATCHBAY

If using XL-Desk without an external patchbay, it is necessary to use the 4 included short D-Sub cables (shipped with XL­Desk) to link the following connections on the rear:

1 500 SEND 1-8 to 500 SLOT IN 1-8 Send from channel goes to 500 rack slot input

2 500 SLOT OUT 1-8 to 500 RETURN 1-8 500 rack slot output goes to channel return

3 500 SEND 9-16 to 500 SLOT IN 9-16 Send from channel goes to 500 rack slot input

4 500 SLOT OUT 9-16 to 500 RETURN 9-16 500 rack slot output goes to channel return

Adding these connectors will link the insert points associated with the 500 button, to and from the 500-series rack.

M

ONITOR OUTS

STEREO OUT 1 - 4

INSERT RETURN 1 - 8

I

NSERT SEND 9 - 16

INSERT RETURN 9 - 16

DAW INPUT 1 - 8

CHANNEL OUT 1 - 8

CHANNEL OUT 9 - 16

I

NSERT SEND 1 - 8

DAW INPUT 9 - 16

500 SLOT OUT 1 - 8

5

00 SEND 1 - 8

500 SLOT OUT 9 - 16

5

00 SEND 9 - 16

STEREO INPUT 1 - 4

Link 3 Link 1

Link 4 Link 2

Page 8 XL-Desk – Owner’s Manual

USING XL-DESK WITH A PATCHBAY

For ultimate flexibility, XL-Desk can connect to a standard 25-way D-Sub patchbay. One of the advantages of using a
patchbay is that it will allow patching between 500 rack modules.

The image below is a suggested layout for console connection using 4 patchrows.

Notes

1. Row AB 1–8 should be fully normalled (or could be left un-normalled – requiring the use of patchcords)

2. All other rows should be half-normalled apart form the parallels at B 41–48

3. The parallels at B 41–48 can be created by using a DB25 Mult plug

Patchbay Guidelines

Line Level Input/Outputs

All analogue inputs and outputs can be connected via a patchbay. It is recommended that the cable shield is connected
at the console end and disconnected at the patchrow to avoid ground loops. Wiring to the installation should normally
have the shield connected to the patch row. The shield connection of all jacks should be linked together (note that patch
rows with solid metal front panels will automatically do this) and then linked to a common star point on the patchbay.
This starpoint can then be returned – via a thick grounding cable (6mm sq. or greater) – to the chassis stud on the rear of
the console. This will reduce the risk of earth loops within the installation.

The screen pins of all analogue inputs and outputs – with the exception of the microphone inputs – are connected directly
to the chassis of the XL-Desk.

Mic Inputs

If Microphone inputs are to be connected via a patchbay, the type of patchrow used should be of the insulated variety
where the jack screens are not connected to the main body of the patchrow – there are commercially available patch­rows that meet this requirement. The ground connection from each microphone must be linked through the patch jacks
to the MIC INPUT 1-8 connector on the back of the console without interruption.

LR

MINI BMAIN LS

AMP IN

LR

LR

MINI A

LR

AMP IN

LR

AMP IN

OUTBOARD OUTPUTS

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CHANNEL INSERT SENDS

1

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1

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1

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INPUT LINES

9

10 11 12 13 14 15 161 2345678 9101112131415161 2345678 1718192021222324

CHANNEL VHD MIC INPUTS

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9101112131415161 23 45678

OUTBOARD INPUTS

FX OUT

OUT

LSN

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17 18 19 20 21 22 23 249 10 11 12 13 14 15 161 234567 8 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

MIX INSERT SEND

DAW INPUT

CHANNEL LINE INPUTS CHANNEL DAW INPUTS

DAW OUTPUTS

STEREO CHANNEL INPUTS

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

1L 1R 2L 2R 3L 3R 4L 4R

500 SLOT SEND 1 – 16

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9101112131415161 23 45678

CHANNEL INSERT RETURNS

500 SLOT OUT 1 – 16

CHANNEL DIRECT OUTPUTS

9101112131415161 23 45678

DAW INPUTS

9101112131415161 23 45678

9101112131415161 234 5678

9101112131415161 234 5678

500 SLOT INPUT 1 – 16

9101112131415161 234 5678

9101112131415161 234 5678

500 SLOT RETURNS 1 – 16

LR

SUB

MM

LR

AMP IN

METER
LR

1L 1R 2L 2R 3L 3R 4L 4R

OUTBOARD IN

LR

CUE AUX

12

AL AR BL BR CL CR DL DR

MIX OUT

MIX INSERT RETURN

AL AR BL BR CL CR DL DR

LR

FX IN

12

1L 1R 2L 2R

ST RETURN IN

1L 1R 2L 2R

EXT IN
LR

2

526272829303132

LRLR

F/B A OUT F/B B OUT

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

OUTBOARD OUTPUTS EXT SRC

12

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 LR

AMP INLRAMP IN

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

DAW INPUT

1L 1R 2L 2R 3L 3R 4L 4R

STEREO CHANNEL OUTPUTS STEREO RET OUT

1L 1R 2L 2R

USER INPUT

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