Solid State Logic has released XL-Desk, promising ‘a modern twist on the classic analogue studio console’ for tracking or mixing in a DAW studio, but without integrated DAW control or analogue level automation.
XL-Desk is a 24:8 analogue console offering 40-plus inputs of SSL SuperAnalogue summing, an inbuilt 500-format rack, SSL VHD mic preamplifiers, four stereo mix suses, a monitoring and talkback section (with an SSL Listen Mic Compressor) and a range of connectivity and routing options.
XL-Desk has 20 channel strips – 16 dual input mono (switchable between main input or DAW return) and four stereo channels, the first eight mono channels with SSL’s VHD mic preamps. The 18-slot 500-format rack can be used for processing or mic preamp modules, and the console ships with an 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 & 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 other processing and/or use of a patchbay. The rack also has rear panel I/O for use with a patchbay.
Direct outputs on every channel, stereo return and mix bus enable stem printing back to a DAW. There are two mono aux sends and two stereo return inputs. Each channel has a Cue Stereo Bus section (with pan and volume) to provide either of two foldback 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 and 16 Cue ST inputs and four stereo channels providing 40 summing inputs. A second foldback is available sourced from Aux 1, and both Foldback A & B have individual talkbacks and a built in Listen Mic input plus classic compressor circuit (with its own direct output). There is also a fully-featured monitoring section with bass management (three sets of stereo speakers and subwoofer) and controllable Dim/Cut.
