Solid State Logic Duality SE User manual

Duality SE
OOPPEERRAATTOORR’’SSMMAANNUUAALL
Part Number: 82S6DUA20D

As research and development is a continual process, Solid State Logic reserves the right
to change the features and specifications described herein without notice or obligation
E&OE
Solid State Logic
S O U N D | | V I S I O N
Begbroke, Oxford, England, OX5 1RU • [phone]
320 West 46th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA • [phone]
Suite 401, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA • [phone]
3-55-14 Sendagaya, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 151-0051, Japan • [phone]
7 bis, rue de la Victoire, le Blanc Mesnil, Paris 93150, France • [phone]
Via Timavo 34, 20124 Milano, Italy • [phone]
Visit SSL at URL: http://www.solidstatelogic.com
© Solid State Logic
All Rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions
Duality, Solid State Logic and SSL are trademarks of Solid State Logic
All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners
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, England

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Section Contents 1-i
What is Duality SE? 1-1
Design Concepts 1-1
Key Features Summary 1-1
Console Feature Summary 1-1
Exceptional Signal Processing 1-2
Creative Versatility 1-2
DAW Controller 1-2
Controller Features Summary 1-3
System Options 1-3
About this manual 1-5
Conventions Used 1-5
Contacting Solid State Logic 1-5
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Section Contents 2-i
Section Index 2-iii
Overview 2-1
An Introduction to Split Mode 2-2
Routing and Signal Flow 2-2
DAW I/O Labelling 2-2
Channel Strip 2-3
Introduction 2-3
Channel Input Section 2-4
Dynamics Section 2-5
Filters 2-7
Equaliser 2-7
Insert 2-7
Channel Output (CHOP) 2-8
Signal Processor Routing 2-8
Channel Sends 2-9
Channel Pan 2-10
D-pot and DAW Control 2-11
Channel Cut and Solo 2-11
Channel Fader 2-11
Fader Grouping 2-12
Fader Links 2-12
The Channel TFT Screen 2-14
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The Centre Section 2-17
Introduction 2-17
Power Supply Indicators 2-17
Central Routing Panel 2-18
Main Output Functions 2-20
Main Bus Compressor 2-21
Master Fader 2-22
Track Bus Master Controls 2-23
Monitoring 2-24
Cue/FX Send Master Controls 2-33
Foldback and Headphone Outputs 2-33
Stereo Return Channels 2-34
Misc Options 2-35
Communications 2-36
Oscillator 2-38
Mix Reassign Matrix 2-39
Group Control Faders 2-40
Centre Section Metering 2-41
Setup Menu 2-43
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Section Contents 3-i
Section Index 3-iii
Introduction 3-1
DAW Controller Features Summary 3-1
Console Focus 3-2
DAW Layers 3-3
Connecting Duality to DAWs 3-5
Connecting via physical MIDI ports 3-6
Connecting via ipMIDI 3-7
DAW Control Operations 3-13
D-pots 3-13
The Master Control Panel (HUI Mode) 3-15
Channel Banking Controls 3-15
DAW Window Buttons 3-15
DAW Utility Buttons 3-16
Modifier Buttons) 3-16
The Default Button 3-17
Channel Functions 3-19
DAW Meters 3-19
Channel Fader 3-19
Channel Solo and Cut Panels 3-20
Channel SEL Button — Record Ready/Edit/Select 3-21
Edit Mode 3-21
Select Mode 3-22
Working with the Channel D-pots 3-22
Input, Output and Send Routing 3-25
Viewing Input, Output and Send Routing 3-25
Setting input, Output and Send Routing 3-25
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Motion Control 3-27
Basic Transport Controls 3-27
Additional Transport Controls 3-27
Other useful transport modes 3-28
Setting Pre and Post Roll 3-28
Setting start (In) and end (Out) Times 3-28
Audition 3-28
Footswitch Control 3-29
Zoom, Navigation and Selection Modes 3-29
Scrolling Within a Window 3-30
Shuttle/Scrub Wheel 3-30
Numeric Keypad 3-31
Plug-In Editor 3-33
Plug-In Editor Display 3-33
Plug-In Editor Controls 3-33
Paging Buttons 3-33
Selecting a DAW Channel for Plug-In Control 3-34
Timecode/Bars & Beats/Samples Display 3-34
Plug-In Display Modes 3-34
Viewing Current Inserts (Insert Mode) 3-34
Assigning a Plug-In or Hardware I/O Insert (Assign Mode) 3-35
Editing Plug-In Parameters (Parameter Mode) 3-35
Soft Keys 3-37
Automation Enables 3-37
Automation Modes 3-37
Edit Tools Menu 3-38
Edit Modes Menu 3-38
Status/Group Menu 3-38
Function Keys 3-39
EDIT Menu 3-39
SSL Menu 3-39
Working with DAW Automation 3-41
Automation Enables 3-41
Automation Modes 3-41
TRIM Mode 3-41
Automation Status Display 3-42
Suspending Automation 3-42
Writing Automation (Write to Start, End or All) 3-42
Automating Cuts 3-43
Automating Pans and Sends 3-43
Automating Plug-Ins 3-43
Mackie Control (MCU) Emulation 3-45
Mackie Control Emulation Advantages 3-45
Implementation 3-45
Mackie Function Control Overview 3-47
The Logic Template 3-48
Nuendo/Cubase Template 3-50
The Sonar Template 3-53
Digital Performer Template 3-55
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Section Contents 4-i
Section Index 4-iii
Overview 4-1
Total Recall and Projects 4-2
Working with Projects and Titles 4-3
Saving a TR Setup 4-4
Recalling a TR Setup 4-4
Deleting a TR Setup 4-5
Renaming TR Setups 4-5
Total Recall Displays 4-6
Resetting Controls 4-8
Automatically Reset Controls 4-9
Manually Reset Controls and Auto-Scan 4-9
Copying and Swapping Settings 4-9
CopyingTR Setups to a DAW Folder 4-10
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Seciton Contents 5-i
Section Index 5-iii
Overview 5-1
Key features 5-1
Automation and Projects 5-3
Working with Projects and Titles 5-4
Automation in the Duality SE Remote 5-5
Operation 5-7
Activating the Automation System 5-7
List Mix Menu 5-7
Creating A New Mix Pass 5-8
Mix Running 5-10
Dedicated Automation Buttons 5-11
Join and Revise 5-12
Discard 5-13
Updating a Mix Pass 5-13
Protection Modes 5-14
Switch Automation 5-16
Automation Options 5-17
Trim 5-17
Trim Lock 5-18
Motors Off 5-18
Snap Mode 5-19
AutoTakeover 5-19
Offline Trim 5-19
Copy and Swap 5-20
Fader Links 5-20
Saving Mix Passes to your DAW Project 5-21
Automation Setup Options 5-22
Pro Tools Setup Notes 5-23
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Section Contents 6-i
Section Index 6-iii
Introduction 6-1
Configuring the Logictivity Remote 6-1
Installing the Browser 6-1
A note on Java 6-1
Connecting Duality to the Computer 6-1
Projects Tab 6-3
CopyingTitles,Total Recall and Mix data between Projects 6-3
Renaming Projects,Titles, Mixes or Total Recall Setups 6-3
Backing up a Project 6-4
Restoring a Project 6-4
Mixes Tab 6-5
Total Recall Tab 6-6
Channel Tabs 6-7
Externals Tab 6-8
About Tab 6-9
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Annotated Channel Layout
Duality Channel Strip block diagram
Annotated Centre Section Layout
Duality Master Section Block Diagram
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Duality SE
OOPPEERRAATTOORR’’SSMMAANNUUAALL
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Part Number: 82S6DUA20D

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Design Concepts 1-1
Key Features Summary 1-1
Console Feature Summary 1-1
Exceptional Signal Processing 1-2
Creative Versatility 1-2
DAW Controller 1-2
Controller Features Summary 1-3
System Options 1-3
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Conventions Used 1-5
Contacting Solid State Logic 1-5
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WWHHAATTIISSDDUUAALLIITTYYSSEE??
Duality SE is an innovative combination of super analogue console and DAW controller from Solid State Logic. It
draws on years of design experience, and incorporates industry standard features from SSL’s range of large format
music consoles.
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Duality SE combines technology from SSL’s acclaimed music console, the XL 9000 K Series, along with new design
concepts which faithfully recreate the overload characteristics of valve circuitry through the use of the new VHD
preamp. It retains all of the sonic benefits of SuperAnalogue™ capacitor-free servo coupled circuitry, then adds
variable harmonic colouration on a channel by channel basis, contained within a control surface which should be
familiar to any recording engineer who has previously used SSL consoles.
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• Combined large format SSL console and DAW controller
• Legendary SuperAnalogue™ mic preamps and signal processing
• NewVHD™ (Variable Harmonic Drive) preamp stage
• Comprehensive monitoring up to 5.1 surround with multiple loudspeaker support
• Direct control of DAW recording, editing and mixing functions from the console surface
• Flexible signal routing enhanced by the channel ‘Split’ function
• Logictivity Remote browser for session management
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• Integrated console, signal acquisition, signal processing, studio monitoring, bass management and DAW control
• Advanced DAW control through a high resolution integrated TFT screen
• Elegant, ergonomic design with a number of add on options
• Innovative large fader dual-control of both DAW and console input path with follow fader metering
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• Legendary SSL sound quality
• SuperAnalogue™ technology derived from SSL’s acclaimed XL 9000 K Series console
• VHD™ Input Preamp
• DC Coupled for excellent low frequency response
• Balanced signal paths throughout ensuring maximum dynamic range
• Audio bandwidth exceeding that of 192kHz recorders
• Ultra low-noise dual impedance mic amps
• Channel EQ with twin-curve SSL E and G Series 4-band parametric equalisation
• Channel dynamics sections with gate, expander and compressor/limiter
• 5.1 implementation of SSL’s classic mix bus compressor
• Highly flexible signal processing order
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• Hex mix bus design configurable as a 5.1 bus or three stereo pairs (A, B, C)
• 5.1, stereo or stereo down-mix main outputs
• 24 track busses
• 2 Stereo Cue plus four Aux busses on all channel modules, with EFX re-assign system to feed track busses
and channel output
• Wide range of solo modes including Solo-In-Front
• 4 stereo echo returns with full mix/foldback routing
• Unrivalled studio monitoring section with comprehensive user options
• Hi-visibility channel TFT screens for metering and optional Total Recall displays
• 2 main VU meters and phase meter
• Comprehensive bus metering in the centre section
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Today’s DAWs provide the power and convenience of recording and editing audio, but a keyboard and mouse is not
the most intuitive way to access these controls. For most users, finding an integrated solution that answers all of
their working needs is strongly desired. Duality SE achieves this to an extent and quality that has previously been
unavailable.
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• Direct access to all major DAW mixing, editing and automation parameters via HUI and MCU protocols
• Direct control of plug-in settings
• Dedicated control processor to maximise console performance
• Integral colour TFT display with dedicated control keys
• High quality motorised faders to write/replay level moves in your DAW
• Simple switching between console layer and DAW control layer
• Full remote control implementation
• Operation independent of platform — works with Pro Tools™, Nuendo™, Logic Audio™, and others
• MIDI over Ethernet for enhanced control of two DAW systems
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• Multi-operator Total Recall, including Autoscan, for accurate resetting of session parameters
• Comprehensive automation based on SSL’s legendary Ultimation, including switch automation
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This manual is divided into five main sections, and is designed to provide a comprehensive source of information
for Duality SE console users.The table of contents will help you to familiarise yourself with the basic content of each
section. If you are reading this from an electronic version of the manual,use the ‘bookmark’ feature to rapidly locate
to virtually any topic.
If you have not previously used an SSL console, you are advised to read the Duality SE overview at the start of Section
2.Those of you who have experience of SSL’s range of analogue consoles will have little difficulty getting to grips with
the operation of this console’s control surface; features that are specific to Duality SE are fully described in Section
2.
To set-up and configure the software interface between Duality SE and your chosen DAW, please study Section 3.
This section also covers the DAW functions that you can usefully control from Duality SE’s centre section.
Finally, the last section in this manual is provided to hold useful appendices that you may be supplied with from time
to time.
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Some typographical conventions have been used in this manual to help distinguish explanatory text from the text
referring to console items.They are as follows:
• Switch cap engravings on the console are usually in UPPERCASE (eg. SOLO).
• Silk screened text on the console’s control surface can be either UPPERCASE (eg.DYNAMICS), or lowercase
bold (eg. auto), or Titlecase (eg.Talkback Mix).
• Any text on the console’s TFT screen is referred to in a Bold typeface.
Items of note or cautions are shown in italic with lines above and underneath.
• Whenever this manual mentions the selection or pressing of a button, it is assumed that the button was not
active (ie. not lit), and that this action has made it active (ie. it has become lit).
• Similarly, whenever the manual mentions the deselection of a button (or pressing it again), it is assumed that
it was active before the action, and has become inactive due to this action.
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If you cannot find the information you need on the pages of this manual, please refer to the Duality SE support pages
at http://www.solidstatelogic.com
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Duality SE
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