Description
Next Generation Analog Studio Console
As the latest in a long heritage of SSL studio mixing consoles, ORIGIN has traditional analog studio workflow at its heart whilst providing the perfect partner for a modern DAW-driven ‘hybrid’ production studio.
Its classic design looks back to the origin of in-line consoles for signal flow inspiration, incorporating cutting-edge analog developments to deliver a unique sonic signature that’s still unmistakably SSL.
ORIGIN is more than just the culmination of four decades of technical innovation. Because of our deep knowledge of workflow and studio integration, we also understand that a console has to provide the immediacy and well-executed ergonomics that will inspire and engage a modern studio environment. We believe ORIGIN does this and more; leading the way with a fresh look at how an analog console complements the latest digital tools and production techniques.
Legendary Heritage, Redefined
The legendary SSL consoles of the 70s and 80s helped define studio production. ORIGIN takes these principles and combines them with a modern feature-set that bridges the gap between digital production and analog console workflow.
A purely analog inline design, with 16 buses, E-Series EQ and classic Bus Compressor, ORIGIN breathes new life into a design classic across the whole console. The new PureDrive™ mic pre inherits the clarity and purity of previous SSL Mic Pre designs, switching character to a warm, harmonically-rich and driven tone that varies with mic pre-gain.
The new mix bus and mix amp architecture delivers an amazingly-low noise floor along with huge headroom. The result is a mix bus that retains the classic SSL sound, whilst bringing the breadth and space to mixes that engineers and producers love from analog summing.
Balanced insert points per channel path (both large and small fader), dedicated channel direct outputs, stem-ready 0dB fader bypass switches, plus a new configurable center section, make ORIGIN an ideal way of adding console workflow to a modern production studio.
The adjustable center section features 12U of rack space, allowing the modular 6U master tile to be repositioned to create space for software controllers, a computer keyboard or additional outboard processing. The meter bridge can also be lowered into the center section, enabling a screen to be positioned so all your production software can be viewed just where you need it.
ORIGIN Master Control
The Master Control section is the heart of ORIGIN, designed with the easily accessible features and tools needed for fast and creative session workflow. Taking sustainability, ergonomics, modern gain-staging and communication requirements into consideration, ORIGIN offers a reassuringly familiar Master Control feature-set with some ahead-of-the-curve functionality.
SSL Bus Compressor – The classic SSL Bus Compressor is a fundamental feature of SSL Master Control tiles, and sees a number of enhancements in ORIGIN. Offering new compression ratios, insert return and built-in side chain filter, the legendary mix bus glue (and punch) is ready for even the most modern of productions.
Bus Trim Masters and Routing – Central track bus routing matrix, featuring sixteen +/- 10dB Trims for the track buses, with a routing assign switches for each bus.
Auto Sleep – The unique Auto Sleep mode enables automatic detection of prolonged inactivity to put the console in stand-by, reducing power consumption and making ORIGIN significantly more efficient than legacy SSL consoles.
Solo Master Section – Comprehensive Solo controls provide choice of Solo-In-Front with Mix balance, Solo-In-Place for Large, Small & Group faders and PFL options. Solo Level, Solo Clear and Red Light Switch complete the available options.
Mix Bus – The mix bus features a high-quality 100mm fader, with fully balanced switched Insert for external bus processing.
Monitoring – The monitoring section features independent Trims for Alternate Monitors 1 & 2, variable DIM level, MONO plus Left & Right MUTES and øL polarity switch. You can select your monitor source from the main mix, three external stereo sources or a front panel stereo 3.5mm jack input, with a Sum switch allowing selected sources to be listened to simultaneously.
Returns – Four Stereo Return Inputs enable ORIGIN to route to Mix and Track Buses with level controlled feeds to Stereo Foldback Outputs A & B.
Classic SSL Innovation
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.
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 preamp, 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.
ORIGIN Center Section
With the evolution of more sophisticated digital audio workstations and new hybrid approaches to session workflow, ORIGIN takes a fresh look at what an analog console provides to complement these sophisticated digital tools.
While ORIGIN has a familiar surface, its design makes it adaptable for many different production scenarios. The 19” rack based ‘modular’ center section allows the console to adapt to different control priorities and adds space for custom outboard processing. For example, the addition of a central 500 series rack provides a way to accommodate flexible analog processing from a number of manufacturers, the ability to move the center section allows for workstation controllers to be centrally located, even the 3U center meter panel can be moved to allow a workstation monitor to move closer to the engineer without obscuring the main meters.