Engineer Smart Guide: The SSL Duality

Engineer Smart Guide: The SSL Duality

Here is a guide I made for a class a few quarters ago on the SSL Duality Console. I dug it up to remember a few things after having spent a few quarters away from it. I realized I couldn't find anything like this online so Im sharing it with you guys. Enjoy! (Lengthy but worth it)

The Duality Channel Bay

·        Input Section

o   2 Independent Prea Amps: Super Analogue and VHD (variable harmonic distortion)

o   Add warmth, or aggressiveness

o   Phase Invert Capable

o   The Daw-Return can be used to return a line level signal to be processed by SSL onboard preamps. (Experiment. Push in to activate VHD)

o   20db gain, Pad, 2ndary gain stage.

·        Dynamics Section

o   SSL allows setting the dynamics of each channel strip via its compressor, gate, and expander

o   Fast attack capabilities for percussive sounds (drums) Push in for F.A.

o   Can bypass compressor by setting ratio to 1:1, which will run through the electronics but not compress the signal.

o   RMS and Peak Mode capabilities

o   Gate has a variable hold time, which means I can better control the release.

o   Side Chaining is made easy with SSL side chain function.

·        EQ Section

o   4 band, twin curve EQ

o   Careful with HF and LF not to be confused with HPF and LPF, seems counterintuitive

o   E Series and G series signature sounding EQ

o   REMEMBER TO SET TO SPLIT when needed in order to use the channel strip out of the DAW-return.

o   ALWAYS ZERO EQ before recording, once it is recorded it can not be undone. Record dry without EQ when possible and EQ later.

o   The CHOP function allows the routing to be changed on the fly including the order of processing.

§  The TFT display will light up accordingly to show what is in the signal chain.

o   HF, HMF, LMF, LF

o   Q width, FREQ select and Gain knobs

o   EQ IN must be pushed in to use EQ

o   Can be set to pre or post fader EQ

·        The Cue mix can be set and panned via the CUE MIX knob.

·        4 FX Busses are also in the channel strip. These interface with the Reverb Unit, corresponds to E1, E2, E3, E4 (SEE boucing with FX section in this manual)

·        The 5.1 Pan is also found Below this section. REMEMBER TO SET PAN TO TRACK VIA THE ROUTING SECTION TO ACHIEVE PANNING. Set output of signal to stereo, 1 – 2, 3-4, etc.

·        Split Capability allows returning the daw signal back through the channel strip.

·        CHOP must be set to either Input or Pre Fader, which will allow the clean signal to be routed to the DAW, the I can monitor the processed signal in the analogue domain. WARNING!!! I DESTROYED A PROJECT IN THIS MANNER. IF YOU WIGH TO RECORD WITH THE CHANNEL STRIP EQ MAKE SURE TO DOUBLE CHECK THIS SETTING.!!!! IMPORTANT!!!

Recording  Acoustic Guitar with a stereo setup. Pan to Track can be used in this situation for a stereo image (figure 2.1)

Routing and Center Section

·        The center section allows easy routing and monitor control from one area of the board.

·        Includes Trackball (the bane of my existence, bring in mouse if possible, Group and Master Fader

o   TO SET MASTER FADER HOLD DOWN THE MASTER FADER AND MIX BUTTONS simultaneously.

·        Daw Transport, for ease combine the use of this and the mouse.

·        Oscillator and noise generator are found in this section. (Never used it)

·        Mini A are the main speakers, Mini B are the Nearfields.

·        Talkback Mic: Set levels, use TB button to talk.

o   Set up a microphone as TB by setting to a channel, setting mic in a good location then set that mic on I (for input monitor) or set to record enabled in order to hear.

o   Follow good TB procedures, respect the artist, make sure not to broadcast anything by accident.

o   Set Fold back A for the TB. Make sure mix level and gain level are appropriate as to not hurt the ears of the musicians.

·        Assigning of buss summing, inserts, etc found here also, including 4 dedicated stereo returns.

o   These can be used to FX and sub mixing.

·        TFT metering can also be found here, as well as the Total Recall functions via the TFT screen on the consoles center section.

·        To select channels in the Routing Tile section press – and  + simultaneously to reset.

o   WARNING!!!: Careful when applying Phantom power, as setting to all channels will ruin a microphone that should not receive it, such as ribbon mics. Make sure only the desired channels are selected.

o   Panning: in order to pan a track to a stereo pair, PAN TO TRACK must be enabled for that track.

·        Phase Meter: Right is Good, Left is Bad! Stay to the right of Zero, pay attention to this when panning to minimize phasing issues.

·        LOOK out for: is your DIM and CUT setting appropriate? Careful with pops, distortion, hot signals as not to blow the monitors.

·        TOTAL RECALL ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

o   Total Recall allows the user to store the settings on most of the knobs on the board.

o   It will automatically turn on or off any relays but the knob settings need to be returned by hand.

o   After saving a “Track” to a “Project” to the Total Recall system pulling up the track will bring up the TFT’s total recall menu.

o   Each screen will show one channel strip, turn the knobs until the highlighted are is matched accordingly. Proceed through all the channels.

o   Remember that when using total recall in hand with outboard equipment the SSL Total Recall function will not save outboard equipment settings. For that reason when using any of the outboard equipment, USE ONE OF THE SETTING RECALL SHEETS IN THIS MANUAL TO MAKE A COPY AND SAVE THE SETTING. ALSO SAVE THE SHEET IN ONE OF THE POCKETS IN THIS MANUAL FOR SAFE KEEPING.

o   This will allow multiple people to recall a sessions settings much faster than it would take one person. As the engineer recalls the board, the assistant can easily set up the compressor units according to the recall sheets.

o   DO NOT ERASE ANYONES SETTINGS!!! This is very possible and non-reversible. Please be careful and mind your fingers.

(Fig 3.1) Recording in the booth is a great option, using the AVIOM and the TB functions in the SSL’s Center section allows for setting up a way for the artist to hear the engineer in the control room.

Bouncing with FX:

Using the TC Electronic MK II Reverb unit allows for a great deal of flexibility and options for reverb and delay effects. In combination with SSL’s 4 stereo mix busses the creative possibilities are endless.

            E1, E2, E3, and E4 are currently set up to correspond to mix busses 1-4.

Please follow these steps to bounce the mix with the FX printed.

FOLLOWING THESE STEPS WILL HELP YOU AVOID BLOWING UP THE MONITOR IN THE STUDIO!!! Feedback loops can quickly come up if procedures are not followed properly.

1.     Bring up a new stereo track in ProTools

2.     Set the input and output to a pair of tracks on the board (ex 9 and 10)

3.     Label the New track (ex: Print)

4.     Bring down the fader in Pro Tools.

5.     Patch the Output of Mix L + R into the inputs of the pair on the board (in this example 9 and 10)

6.     In order to avoid feedback the signal coming back into the board must not go back out to the monitors or this signal will feed back into the board causing a feedback loop!!!

7.     Remember that SSL has a greater dynamic range than Pro Tools this can cause clipping, distortion, and unusable levels if they are not set correctly. Make sure you allow sufficient head room.

8.     After bouncing un patch and return all channels and equipment to their appropriate states.

(Fig 4.1 The Dryness of the ISO booth allows for the ability to later add a variety or reverbs and delays using the TC Icon Reverb Unit, follow proper procedures to ensure good levels and to avoid damaging equipment.)

Hope You enjoy this guide. It sure helped me get my feet wet again! Whats your favorite board?