What Do All Those Buttons Do? SSL 4000E Channel Basics - Musicians Guide

"What Do All Those Buttons Do?"
Musicians guide to large console channels in 4 min -
SSL 4048 E Console Channel Basics -
Here is a short video to explain the basic layout of these large-format console channel strips to musicians and young engineers. I thought it might be useful to help you understand more than the basic interface/laptop setup you may work within your home studios.
Also looking inside the channel strip to understand a little more about how it's designed. I don't go into too much depth as this is meant to be easily understandable by non-engineer types.
For examples of my work visit www.samlowesoun... & www.scoremixing...
Enjoy & Subscribe!!

[@johnvcougar]

Ha, cool! Someone talking about hardware by taking it apart Good stuff, cobber!

[@BigLoxxOfficial]

Having an SSL 4000 .... a dream 😍😍

[@jprsdas]

So that's where the idea for the 500 series came huh, I never knew you could pull them out, thanks for showing us.

[@samlowe1460]

Thanks for Watching. No, I do not believe this is where the 500 series idea came from. API was around doing 500 series almost 10 years before SSL was doing consoles. They were originally a pipe organ company.

[@manifestgtr]

Very cool, man. At first i was thinking "why in the hell is he pulling it out? Just run the camera down the strip" but this was actually a much more interesting, in depth look at large format channel strip anatomy

[@samlowe1460]

Thanks manifestgtr! I had never seen a video like it and felt if I find it interesting, someone else will too.

[@garnetbey7400]

Wow Sam thanks for this most in lighting session on the SSL. Al my year's of watching and learning on KZbin your the only one who really took the time to open the actual board. That was very good thanks, this further my love an Passion for the SSL. U the best bro....

[@samlowe1460]

Thanks Garnet! Really pleased it was useful for you. They are great boards to work on but as time goes on, budgets get smaller and smaller and I find I lots of bands can't afford to mix in rooms with them anymore.

[@nicholasparis5281]

Hey man.. I'm not sure if it was beneficial.... but it's sure as shit awesome!!! I appreciate this video I've never seen inside a console before! Amazing to think such an advanced and seemingly timeless piece of technology is as old as I am (probably more than they had to get to the moon and back I'm guessing?!)!

[@samlowe1460]

Glad you liked it Nicholas!!

[@warrenhuck5510]

One little small but important detail. Be cautious about what you squirt into switches in a console as you can cause significant problems down the line. There are only two "safe" sprays, Caig Labs DeOxit Gold G5 (never use D5, only G5) and ElectroLube EML.

[@ToniJXN]

Would love to see how the computer works on the ssl and which features it has.

[@austinhayes1340]

I would like to see a signal flow video with this console. Simply because this was very professional.

[@samlowe1460]

Thanks @Austin Hayes. I may make one at some stage but there are copies of the manual for these consoles easily available with signal flow descriptions and diagrams. recordinginstitute.com/da154/ARP/chap1SSL/sslb.html

[@adriatic123]

Great explanation, thanks

[@samlowe1460]

No worries! Glad it was useful.

[@Subholik3]

2:44 i mean ! WOWOWOWOWOWO this is soo amezing !

[@ThinhPham-f3f]

Hello Sir. Can you help me buy tool screw for take out channel strip please

[@sfcampos785]

Bom dia meu amigo tudo bem legal seu serviço. d consoles mix só técnico em áudio e técnica em PA gostei muito do seu trabalho você é muito bom

[@Staykool777]

AMAZING!! thank you for this!

[@samlowe1460]

Glad it was helpful!!!!

[@1176hambone]

Great vid. I Like your intent! More,more!

[@SteveStockmalMusic]

Very cool, thanks

[@samlowe1460]

Glad you liked it Steve!

[@ToniJXN]

Would be great if you could explain what the other cards are for.

[@samlowe1460]

Hi ToniJXN. Are you referring to the other cards on the strip? When I explain the face of the channel strip I list what each element is. There is a card for each element. It’s pretty intuitive

[@dulla8469]

can anyone link a video explaining how to attatch an ssl to pro tools...i want to know how to guide a track into the ssl console mix it and bounce it, or maybe send a track to the console eq it and compress it and maybe send it to an analog reverb in a mix rack and then send it back to pro tools

[@alinbate4580]

SSL Works only with Pro Tools? I want to buy one but I use Cubase

[@samlowe1460]

Hi Alin, this is an analog console that will work with any DAW. You need enough channels of conversion out of your computer to make use of all the channels of the console. Does this help?

[@kingech_B15]

I am glad they shrinking these to 500 slots

[@samlowe1460]

There are many great things about the xl desk. Infinitely leaner power supply, multiple mix buses, direct outs post-fader for printing stems easily. Smaller footprint, and all the flexibility of the 500 series slots :)

[@hometownstudio]

Great Video. I Have one SSL4000G. Please, let me know what thing is that that you used to take out the channel? (looks like a big srew?? It´s an original srew from SSL to do that?...I don have any of that!!! ggrrrr) Where can I find that or any link to find them please?. Thank´s

[@samlowe1460]

Hi @nachosubiros! The tool i used to pull out channels are the SSL made lift out screws. You don't need to use their screws. All they are are larger screws than the holes drilled in the channel strip. you could go to a hardware store and buy screws that are the same size and thread. If you have any racks in your studio that uses the non-cage nut design rack screws. Notes these are the thinner screws with a finer thread. These screws will just fit in the holes and will physically grip the hole and stop turning after a few small turns. It's not mean to go all the way through, just grip the steel of the channel strip.

[@samlowe1460]

The screw size I believe is 10/32" x 3/4"

[@hometownstudio]

Thanks a lot Sam!!!. Nice to meet you. I will try that. This is my studio if you want to take a look. Check HomeTown Studio at facebook

[@hometownstudio]

facebook.com/HomeTown.Studio

[@samlowe1460]

No worries at all. Happy to help. Nice studio you have there. Lovely, inviting creative space. Great gear also! Good luck with everything!

[@MrVectrex]

Nice video! I have a question thoe. Lets say i have a bigband (12 musicians) in the studio, my FB/Head-Phone system is 12 channels with independent mixingconsole for each and every one, (all musicians have there own 12 channel mixer connected to there own HeadPhones) I want all the different musicians to have there own channel on there dedicated HP-mixer (So they, when playing togheter, could make there own HP-mix). How do you route the mixed signal that i want to record to make this happen? i also want to have the auxes free on the channelstrip for effects during recording, that means i cant use those for the HP-mix, and i want the signal strait from the board to the musicians just to minimize the latency from the computer software, witch is a problem for some pros.

[@samlowe1460]

How many channels is SSL your using? One way, If you have a 48 or 64 channel board, Is leave the first 12 channels unused for tracking, use the "SUB GP" button on the first 12 channels, then send individual instruments to the first 12 channels via the bus routing buttons at the top of the console. Now patch out of the first 12 channels into your headphone system.

[@LeonPhythian69]

I am writing on an essay on the 4000E series and am looking for some good sources about the console can anyone point in a good direction ?

[@samlowe1460]

HI @Leon Phythian. What specifically are you writing about? There are many good signal flow and workflow videos on youtube with these consoles.

[@LeonPhythian69]

it is for contextual research I am writing about how the 4000E series essentially changed how engineers would forge a career within the industry and how it subsequently changed the once entrenched classical styles of mixing, as engineers moved from working their entire careers in the major locations..such as. LA, London, Nashville and NY , into a more freelance style of career due to the introduction of such technologies as, total recall and automation within the SSL consoles, which then subsequently allowed the various mixing styles to intertwine and eventually introduce the workflow that we see today within the industry. T he great thing I've found about watching a lot of vids is that they then (well sometimes) open the door to some published work or authors which is where I need to find my academic references.

[@justimagine2403]

Wouldn't it be easier to route all of this via a computer switch board with software? It is wildly complex looking for sure.

[@bluesmanjl]

Very basic.... the switches put the Eq first or the dynamics first or split the eq with hi and lo filter section of the eq to control dynamics with a send, but not the sound. Also there are left front, right front, left rear, and right rear at the bottom of the assignment buttons so you have two completely independent signal input and output per channel. These things were designed by arrogant genius engineers who constantly improved them. They were way ahead of anything at the time and better than most of the Neves except the more primitive but fantastic 80 series with the wonderful 1073, 1081 types of mic pre and Eqs. The computer used a Computer Automation computer that was used in several things including car manufacturing that was fabulous with total recall. 8 inch floppies the hard drives, so primative and expensive. With VCAs these things are reliable and a pleasure to work. Now we have new reasonable priced computers and low electricity eating power supplies to keep those fabulous consoles going for years.

[@csjaugiedog]

You should be wearing an ESD strap, and never place ANYTHING on the console. That's what workbenches are for.

[@samlowe1460]

Thanks for your comment. These consoles and channel strips are not as fragile and sensitive to static electricity compared to console like Tonelux.

[@MohammadMalan]

I just wanted to know

[@samlowe1460]

do you feel knowledgeable now? :)

[@johnp.6692]

I think this is more complicated than an airplane cockpit

[@TwstedTV]

Hahahaa, I remember that from the days of yore LMAO

[@powerplay743]

when you have to mix several tunes..analog mixing? recall? LOL

[@samlowe1460]

It's all budget-related now. I still have clients who are happy to work on consoles. Most can't afford it or can't commit to a mix. These boards do have total recall which is time consuming but works.

[@TwstedTV]

@@samlowe1460 I hated doing that. It was fun when I first started, but it got old really quick.

[@joefinan9483]

Ironically, the levels on this video are really bad.