Solid State Logic Origin is the latest console to be announced by SSL and is being shown at AES2019. Here is what we know so far about the latest mixing console to come from a company with a legendary track record in recording studio gear.

This article will be updated as we learn more about this brand new product.

Updated - Why Origin Is Such Good News For Modern Studios

Origin is a purely analogue, inline, dual channel design, with 16 busses, E Series “Black Knob” EQ, 2 listen mic compressors and the classic Bus Compressor, it has no automation features but is ideal for DAW based hybrid workflows with mic preamps which are switchable from super linear and clean to something more coloured with some analogue vibe courtesy of The new PureDrive mic pre, a new design based around modern FETs and transistors. There are design tweaks intended to complement the DAW user, for example the HPF on the mic pre can be assigned to the direct out to preserve headroom pre A/D and there are two insert points allowing outboard to be used on all 64 inputs at mixdown.

Running costs are a major disincentive for people considering one of the old large format SSLs the Origin takes inspiration from. This has been addressed in Origin. The power supply has been designed to have a sleep mode, in which the console consumes much less power and as a result much less heat so there are dual savings made in terms of power to the console and power to the air conditioning necessary in a studio containing an old SSL. The routing system is now digitally controlled, a simple system of button pushed can assign channels to the groups, the system can be interrogated to find the status of the routing all without any screens or computers and this dispenses with the need for dedicated routing buttons which eliminates many, many potential points of failure in a console of this size. This is an ideal console for anyone who has wanted a 4000 series SSL but wouldn’t consider it because of the practical issues which come with such an old product.

What Is The SSL Origin?

As the latest in a long heritage of SSL studio mixing consoles, ORIGIN has traditional analogue studio workflow at its heart whilst providing the perfect partner for a modern DAW-driven hybrid production studio. ORIGIN takes a fresh look at what a large format console needs to do to work in harmony with a modern DAW driven production studio.

The functional design looks back at the origin of in-line consoles for signal flow inspiration, but its circuits are at the cutting edge of SSL’s latest analogue developments. These new analogue designs deliver huge dynamic range and bandwidth yet still have the characterful, pleasing qualities of space and depth that analogue breathes on digital audio.

Key Features

• 32-channel analogue in-line design

• High quality 100mm large and 60mm small fader on every channel

• 16+2 buses

• 4x Monitor outputs

• 3x Foldback outputs

• Acclaimed SSL E-Series four band parametric channel EQ

• Sweepable HPF on every channel

• Classic SSL Bus Compressor with side-chain access, HP filter and insert point

• Dedicated channel direct outputs

• New PureDrive Mic pre & drive circuit

• New mix bus and mix amp architecture - delivers ultra-low noise floor and huge headroom

• Balanced Insert Point per Large Fader and Small Fader Channel Paths.

• Stem-ready 0dB fader bypass switch

• Unique power management tools deliver ultimate reliability and low running costs

• Freelance engineer friendly

• Adjustable centre section features 12U of rack space for:

• Software controllers

• Computer keyboard and accessories

• Additional hardware processing

• Drop down meter bridge

Analogue Layout Hybrid Workflow

A unique and innovative modular centre section allow ORIGIN to adapt to different applications and priorities, whether being used as a purely tracking console with additional boutique analogue additions to the 19” rack centre section, or a very digital/analogue hybrid approach with screens and controllers easily reached from the centre of the console.

UPDATE: Mike was given a demo of the Origin on the SSL booth at AES and noticed that there seemed to be no routing buttons on the channel strips. with the Origin, to route channels to a buss or an output you press a button on the channel and then a button on where you want it to go and routing is set up. You can multiple selections as you would on a computer with an equivalent ‘Shift’ button so pressing Channel 1, holding the ‘Shift’ button down and the pressing channel 16 will select all the channels from 1 to 16 and then press your destination button and the routing is done.

There are also easy to use shortcuts including one which is ideal when using a DAW, like Pro Tools, where with a couple of button presses you can do a one-for-one routing so that channel 1 goes to output 1, Channel 2 to output 2 and so on.

PureDrive

ORIGIN features a completely new microphone pre-amplifier design that inherits the clarity and purity of previous SSL mic pre's, with the added flexibility of switching character to a warm, harmonically-rich and driven tone that varies with gain. The ideal solution to 'perfect' digital system and hybrid workflow.

PureDrive is a new discrete transistor mic-pre based around modern FET components. The result is an ultra-clean, ultra-low noise pre amp, that is fast and offers stunning resolution when in 'Pure' mode. Hit the switch and the 'Drive' circuit is engaged, adding gain dependent non-linear harmonic saturation.

E-Series '242' EQ

The E-Series '242' EQ was probably the most popular EQ from the SL 4000 series console range, and it’s back for ORIGIN, which uses this iconic SSL design for its channel EQ.

ORIGIN features the acclaimed E-Series four-band parametric EQ on each of its 32-channels, with variable Cut/Boost per band, HF and LF Bell/Shelf switches, independent sweepable HPF on every channel and unmistakable '242' style growl and deep low end.

When Will Origin Be Available And How Much Will it Cost?

Origin is expected to be available in early 2020 for $49,999.

UPDATED: Where Is Origin Made?

There have been some comments about where SSL are making Origin because of its price point. So Mike went to see the team at SSL to get the facts of what happens where.

The whole console has been designed and specified in the UK, with the quality control through the whole manufacturing process set and controlled by SSL in the UK. The modules are manufactured and assembled in China under SSL oversight and quality control. If a module fails SSL’s quality control, they don’t pay it.

SSL told us that there was some concern within the company when the decision was taken to manufacture the modules in China that there would be issues and whether the savings would be worth it. It turns out that those concerns were completely unfounded the factories in China know what to do as they do it for lots of companies. In fact they are finding that the quality standards for the modules made in China is of a higher standard than in UK.

The chassis, and frame are manufactured in the UK and the modules are then shipped from China to SSL’s factory in the UK where the Origin consoles are assembled and tested, before being shipped to the customer.

The overriding message we got from SSL is that the modules being made in China doesn’t make the Origin sub-standard, in fact if anything the quality standards have gone up as a result of the modules being manufactured in China.

We hope that clears up any questions about how and where the new SSL Origin is being manufactured.