Solid State Logic SiX Channel 500 Series User manual

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SiX Channel Module
for 500 Series Enclosures
User Guide

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Safety and Installation Considerations
This page contains denitions, warnings, and practical information to ensure a safe
working environment. Please take time to read this page before installing or using this
apparatus.
General Safety
• Read these instructions.
• Keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions.
• Do not use this apparatus near water.
• Do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
• Clean only with dry cloth.
• Do not block any ventilation openings.
• Install in accordance with the rack manufacturer’s instructions.
• There are no user-adjustments, or user-servicable items, inside this
apparatus.
• Adjustments or alterations to this apparatus may affect the performance such
that safety and/or international compliance standards may no longer be met.
• This apparatus is not to be used in safety critical applications
Caution
• This apparatus should not be used outside of the scope of API 500 series
compatible racks.
• Do not operate this apparatus with any covers removed.
• To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not perform any servicing other than that
contained in these Installation Instructions unless you are qualied to do so. Refer
all servicing to qualied service personnel.
Installation
• Ensure power is removed from the rack before tting or removing this apparatus to
or from the rack.
• Use the panel xing screws supplied with the rack to secure this apparatus into the
rack.

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Standards Compliance
This apparatus is designed to be installed and used in API
500 series compatible racks which are CE marked. The CE
mark on a rack is indicative that the manufacturer conrms
that it meets both EMC and the Low Voltage Directive
(2006/95/EC).
Instructions for Disposal of WEEE by Users in the
European Union
The symbol shown here is on the product or on its
packaging, which indicates that this product must not
be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it is the user’s
responsibility to dispose of their waste equipment by
handing it over to a designated collection point for recycling of
waste electrical and electronic equipment. The separate collection
and recycling of your waste equipment at the time of disposal will
help to conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled
in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
For more information about where you can drop off your waste
equipment for recycling, please contact your local city ofce, your
household waste disposal service or where you purchased the
product.
Limited Warranty
Please refer any warranty claim to the supplier of this equipment in
the rst instance. Full warranty information for equipment supplied
directly by Solid State Logic can be found on our website:
www.solidstatelogic.com

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Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of this 500 Series compatible
SSL SiX Channel Module.
This module has been specically designed to operate in a 500
Series enclosures such as the API lunchbox® or equivalent. In
common with many such modules, the nominal input/output level is
+4 dBu.
The SSL SiX Channel is a single-width 500 Series mini channel
strip using the SuperAnalogue channel processing features from
SSL’s SiX console including the Mic-pre, low and high frequency
EQ, as well as the single knob compressor.
The SiX Channel is a simple way to add additional Mic/Line inputs
to the line level returns of any professional audio device, including
the Stereo channels of the SiX console. It is also a exible way to
create a professional modular mixer from a ‘summing’ 500 Series
rack unit.
Operation
Please refer to the illustration opposite.
SuperAnalogue Pre-Amp input
The SiX Channel pre-amp is the same wide gain range SuperAna-
logue design as found in the SiX Console and thus developed from
the mic pre-amps of the larger SSL Duality and AWS consoles. In
these consoles, line and mic inputs are served by separate pre-
amps. In the SiX Channel a wide gain range, ultra low noise Super-
Analogue design provides both Line and Mic facilities with a “Line”
gain range switch to cover a wide range of source levels.
The pre-amp consists of a microphone input (from the 500 series
rear rack XLR) and a front panel line level input (¼” TRS Jack
Socket).

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The Gain control adjusts either the microphone pre-amp gain (+6
dB to +72 dB), or the Line amp gain [-3 dB to +63 dB], depending
on the selected input source.
Following the pre-amplier is a switched 12 dB/oct, 75 Hz High
Pass Filter (HPF) to reduce unwanted LF such as Microphone
Rumble, AC noise etc.
The Polarity Switch (ø) inverts the polarity of the rear XLR Mic
Amp (180° Phase Shift).
A ve segment LED meter shows the output signal level in dBu.
SiX
SiX CH
COMP
CMP
IN
THRESHOLD
dB -20+10
EQ
BELL
LF
dB +
–
0
BELL
EQ
IN
HF
dB +
–
0
Hi-Z
[LINE]
48V
21
9
0
12
24
ø
INPUT GAIN
dB 72
[63][-3]
6
1
2
3
4
Mic Input (Rear XLR connector)
The default microphone input uses SSL’s
SuperAnalogue design and includes
individually switched 48V phantom power.
The Mic (XLR) input’s nominal impedance
is 1.2 kΩ. The rear 500 Series enclosure
XLR is the default input.
Line Input (Front Panel TRS)
The input source can be switched to the
front panel ¼” TRS jack line input by
pressing the ‘[Line]’ switch on the
channel.
The nominal Line Input impedance is 10
kΩ. This can be changed to 1 MΩ using
the Hi-Z switch. The 1MΩ impedance
makes this input suitable for very high
impedance sources such as passive guitar
pickups without the need for an external
DI box.
5
2
3
6
4
1

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Ø
500 Series - SiX Channel
GAIN
LINE
+dB
+6 to +72dB
[-3 to +63dB]
HI-Z
HPF
BELL BELL
LF HF
EQ IN
COMP
IN
T/HOLD
75 Hz
-9dB
1M
10K
REAR XLRM
FRONT TRS JACK
REAR XLRF
+48V
48V
1.2K
Block Diagram

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Channel EQ
The EQ on the SiX Channel module is the same design as found in
the SiX Console which has its roots in SSL’s classic E series EQ. It
is a gentle, broad stroke two-band design with high and low shelving
lters at 3.5 kHz and 60 Hz, adjustable from +15 dB to -15 dB of gain.
Each band can be independently switched between shelving and bell
curves using the BELL switch - a feature found on many SSL EQ
designs. A useful feature of the bell curves is that they change centre
frequency to operate at 5 kHz and 200 Hz giving greater versatility
from the two controls.
The EQ is switched ‘in’ circuit or completely bypassed using the ‘IN’
switch. This guarantees no inuence on the channel’s at frequency
response from the tolerance of the EQ control centre detent positions.
COMP (Compressor)
The ‘one knob’ channel compressor on the SiX Channel module
is responsive design with features that give powerful and versatile
performance from its deceptively simple controls.
The attack time of the compressor is approximately 5 ms and has
an over-easy/soft knee response. This allows the compressor to
operate smoothly with a wide variety of content. The release time is
approximately 300 ms and the ratio is 2:1. The single user control
is for the compressor Threshold and is adjustable between +10
and -20 dBu with a three LED meter indicating the amount of gain
reduction being applied. The circuit has automatic make-up gain to
maintain signal level for the full range of threshold settings.
As with the EQ circuit, the compressor can be completely bypassed
using the IN switch, for a simple way to compare the compressed
and uncompressed signals. This also prevents component toler-
ances from inuencing the sound of the channel strip when the
Threshold is turned to minimum.
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5

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Visit SSL at:
www.solidstatelogic.com
© Solid State Logic
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions
SSL® and Solid State Logic® are ® registered trademarks of Solid State Logic.
SuperAnalogue™, SiX™ and SiX Channel™ are trademarks of Solid State Logic.
All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and
are hereby acknowledged.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, whether
mechanical or electronic, without the written permission of Solid State Logic, Oxford, OX5
1RU, England.
As research and development is a continual process, Solid State Logic reserves the right
to change the features and specications described herein without notice or obligation.
Solid State Logic cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage arising directly or
indirectly from any error or omission in this manual.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS, PAY SPECIAL HEED TO SAFETY WARNINGS.
E&OE
October 2020
Revision History
Revision V1.0, Oct 2020 - First Release