SSL Live: live digital mixing with maximum versatility

Based on the new Tempest processing platform, Live offers an unprecedented level of power, controllable in a versatile and unique way.

SSL now has Live on the market, its first digital audio console, specially designed to meet the demanding demands of live sound production, and incorporating all the experience accumulated by the firm in the creation of studio consoles. Based on the new Tempest processing platform, Live offers an unprecedented level of power, controllable in a versatile and unique way.

Antony David, director of SSL, admits that "many people have been asking us for a long time to tackle the design of a live console, and the time has finally come. Designing it has taken us some time, because at SSL we like to do things well and we believe we have conceived a console that engineers will love. It is very exciting to enter a completely new area of the industry, introducing a completely new technological platform, which redefines what a live console should sound and how it should be. “The sound engineers control it to get the most out of its exceptional features. We are eager to see how the live sound professional community reacts.”

Live is an extremely powerful digital audio console, purpose-built to meet the demanding demands of live sound production, capable of handling both the rigors of touring and permanent installation, handling both FOH and monitors, in all types of venues, from concert halls to stadiums.

Overall, it is suitable for any application where it is important to enjoy excellent sound quality, complete flexibility and a user interface that allows you to control everything.

Based on the new Tempest processing platform, Live offers an unprecedented level of power, controllable in a versatile and unique way. It offers a total of 976 inputs and 192 audio paths (144 fully processed and 48 'clean') at 96 kHz. The way these signal paths are configured is extremely flexible, through channels, auxiliary Stem groups and Masters configured to satisfy the needs of each performance. All processing is done in the console, which also has I/O connectivity. A wide range of stage boxes are available which connect to the console via MADI, with the possibility for larger systems to use SSL's exclusive Blacklight technology, which carries up to 256 channels of two-way audio and control over a single fiber optic connection.

Control total

Power is truly worthless if it cannot be controlled efficiently, which is why Live offers a truly exceptional control surface, combining multiple tablet-style multi-gesture touch screens, visual information of the highest quality and clarity, and a collection of truly innovative features. All this makes it possible for the engineer to work exactly as he wishes: either using a modern touch screen or classic hardware, or even combining both.

Following the firm's usual quality standards, Live offers the same legendary audio quality as all other SSL products. Achieving impeccable audio quality has always been one of the primary design requirements, starting with the SuperAnalogue microphone preamplifiers used in the studio, 24-bit / 96 kHz A/D-D/A conversion, to internal processing with 64-bit resolution and 96 kHz operation throughout the entire audio chain.

The extensive palette of channel processing tools takes the classic SSL sound to a new level of precision, flexibility and usability. Live features an impressive collection of 30 new effects and audio analysis tools that take SSL's studio processing and reinterpret it for live use.

Live has a solid steel chassis prepared to withstand the rigors of the road. Lifting points have also been provided to allow the console to be lifted safely by just two people. It has been designed to withstand the most aggressive environments; For example, it is prepared to withstand any level of humidity without condensation.

In addition, it has three rotary controls on the front panel to adjust the brightness of the console lighting: one for the screens, one for the LEDs and one for the illuminated strips. These brightness controls also respond to automation to assist with fades to black.