SiX Channel Modulefor 500 Series Enclosures

User Guide-1-Safety and Installation Considerations
This page contains definitions, warnings, and practical information to ensure a safe
working environment. Please take time to read this page before installing or using thisapparatus.

General Safety•

Read these instructions.

•

Keep these instructions.

•

Heed all warnings.

•

Follow all instructions.

•

Do not use this apparatus near water.

•Do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

•Clean only with dry cloth.

•Do not block any ventilation openings.

•Install in accordance with the rack manufacturer’s instructions.

•There are no user-adjustments, or user-servicable items, inside thisapparatus.

•Adjustments or alterations to this apparatus may affect the performance suchthat safety and/or international compliance standards may no longer be met.

•This apparatus is not to be used in safety critical applications

Caution•This apparatus should not be used outside of the scope of API 500 series
compatible racks.

•Do not operate this apparatus with any covers removed.

•To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not perform any servicing other than thatcontained in these Installation Instructions unless you are qualified to do so. Refer
all servicing to qualified service personnel.

Installation•Ensure power is removed from the rack before fitting or removing this apparatus toor from the rack.

•Use the panel fixing screws supplied with the rack to secure this apparatus into therack.
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Standards ComplianceThis apparatus is designed to be installed and used in API
500 series compatible racks which are CE marked. The CE
mark on a rack is indicative that the manufacturer confirmsthat it meets both EMC and the Low Voltage Directive(2006/95/EC).

Instructions for Disposal of WEEE by Users in theEuropean Union
The symbol shown here is on the product or on its
packaging, which indicates that this product must not
be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it is the user’s
responsibility to dispose of their waste equipment byhanding it over to a designated collection point for recycling ofwaste electrical and electronic equipment. The separate collection
and recycling of your waste equipment at the time of disposal will
help to conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled
in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
For more information about where you can drop off your waste
equipment for recycling, please contact your local city office, yourhousehold waste disposal service or where you purchased theproduct.

Limited Warranty
Please refer any warranty claim to the supplier of this equipment in
the first instance. Full warranty information for equipment supplied
directly by Solid State Logic can be found on our website:www.solidstatelogic.com-3-Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of this 500 Series compatible
SSL SiX Channel Module.
This module has been specifically designed to operate in a 500
Series enclosures such as the API lunchbox® or equivalent. In
common with many such modules, the nominal input/output level is+4 dBu.
The SSL SiX Channel is a single-width 500 Series mini channel
strip using the SuperAnalogue channel processing features from
SSL’s SiX console including the Mic-pre, low and high frequency
EQ, as well as the single knob compressor.
The SiX Channel is a simple way to add additional Mic/Line inputs
to the line level returns of any professional audio device, including
the Stereo channels of the SiX console. It is also a flexible way tocreate a professional modular mixer from a ‘summing’ 500 Seriesrack unit.

OperationPlease refer to the illustration opposite.

SuperAnalogue Pre-Amp input
The SiX Channel pre-amp is the same wide gain range SuperAnalogue design as found in the SiX Console and thus developed fromthe mic pre-amps of the larger SSL Duality and AWS consoles. In
these consoles, line and mic inputs are served by separate preamps. In the SiX Channel a wide gain range, ultra low noise SuperAnalogue design provides both Line and Mic facilities with a “Line”gain range switch to cover a wide range of source levels.
The pre-amp consists of a microphone input (from the 500 series
rear rack XLR) and a front panel line level input (¼” TRS JackSocket).
-4-Mic Input (Rear XLR connector)
The default microphone input uses SSL’s
SuperAnalogue design and includes
individually switched 48V phantom power.
The Mic (XLR) input’s nominal impedanceis 1.2 kΩ. The rear 500 Series enclosure
XLR is the default input.

Line Input (Front Panel TRS)
The input source can be switched to thefront panel ¼” TRS jack line input bypressing the ‘[Line]’ switch 1 on thechannel.
The nominal Line Input impedance is 10kΩ. This can be changed to 1 MΩ using
the Hi-Z switch. The 1MΩ impedance
makes this input suitable for very highimpedance sources such as passive guitar
pickups without the need for an external
DI box.

SiX CH
INPUT

3GAIN

ø[-3] 624

4dB

1272 [63]
48V

02

9215

EQ
HF

EQ
IN

0BELL

–dB+0LF

BELL

6COMP

–dB+

THRESHOLD

CMPIN+10dB-20[LINE]Hi-Z1SiXThe Gain control adjusts either the microphone pre-amp gain (+6dB to +72 dB), or the Line amp gain [-3 dB to +63 dB], dependingon the selected input source.
Following the pre-amplifier is a switched 12 dB/oct, 75 Hz High
Pass Filter (HPF) 2 to reduce unwanted LF such as Microphone
Rumble, AC noise etc.
The Polarity Switch (ø) 3 inverts the polarity of the rear XLR MicAmp (180° Phase Shift).
A five segment LED meter 4 shows the output signal level in dBu.

-5-FRONT
TRS
JACK

REAR
XLRF

+48V

48V

HI-Z

1.2K

10K

Ø

1M

LINE

500 Series - SiX Channel

Block Diagram-6+6 to +72dB[-3 to +63dB]+dB

GAIN

-9dB

75 HzHPF

HF
BELL

LF
BELL
EQ IN

T/HOLDIN

COMP

REAR
XLRM

Channel EQ 5

The EQ on the SiX Channel module is the same design as found in
the SiX Console which has its roots in SSL’s classic E series EQ. It
is a gentle, broad stroke two-band design with high and low shelving
filters at 3.5 kHz and 60 Hz, adjustable from +15 dB to -15 dB of gain.
Each band can be independently switched between shelving and bell
curves using the BELL switch - a feature found on many SSL EQ
designs. A useful feature of the bell curves is that they change centre
frequency to operate at 5 kHz and 200 Hz giving greater versatility
from the two controls.
The EQ is switched ‘in’ circuit or completely bypassed using the ‘IN’switch. This guarantees no influence on the channel’s flat frequency
response from the tolerance of the EQ control centre detent positions.

COMP (Compressor) 6The ‘one knob’ channel compressor on the SiX Channel module
is responsive design with features that give powerful and versatile
performance from its deceptively simple controls.
The attack time of the compressor is approximately 5 ms and has
an over-easy/soft knee response. This allows the compressor tooperate smoothly with a wide variety of content. The release time isapproximately 300 ms and the ratio is 2:1. The single user control
is for the compressor Threshold and is adjustable between +10
and -20 dBu with a three LED meter indicating the amount of gain
reduction being applied. The circuit has automatic make-up gain tomaintain signal level for the full range of threshold settings.
As with the EQ circuit, the compressor can be completely bypassed
using the IN switch, for a simple way to compare the compressed
and uncompressed signals. This also prevents component tolerances from influencing the sound of the channel strip when theThreshold is turned to minimum.
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Visit SSL at:www.solidstatelogic.com© Solid State Logic
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions
SSL® and Solid State Logic® are ® registered trademarks of Solid State Logic.
SuperAnalogue™, SiX™ and SiX Channel™ are trademarks of Solid State Logic.
All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners andare hereby acknowledged.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, whether
mechanical or electronic, without the written permission of Solid State Logic, Oxford, OX5
1RU, England.
As research and development is a continual process, Solid State Logic reserves the rightto change the features and specifications described herein without notice or obligation.
Solid State Logic cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage arising directly or
indirectly from any error or omission in this manual.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS, PAY SPECIAL HEED TO SAFETY WARNINGS.
E&OE
October 2020
Revision History
Revision V1.0, Oct 2020 - First Release-8-