A Compact SSL for Your Hybrid Studio
The Solid State Logic Origin 16-channel console integrates seamlessly into modern DAW-centric studios. Evolved from its highly successful 32-channel big sibling, Origin 16 delivers the same features and legendary SSL analog sound and workflow efficiencies in a compact recording, mixing, and summing desk that fits the budgets and space constraints of smaller professional studios and educational facilities. Featuring 16 input channels fitted with SSL’s acclaimed PureDrive preamps, Origin 16 can handle even the most demanding tracking sessions with ease. And loaded with E-Series 4-band parametric EQs and SSL’s sought-after bus compressor, Origin 16 supercharges your mixes with the signature SSL sound heard on countless hits.
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The definitive evolution of SSL engineering
SSL revisited its storied history to inspire Origin, a fully analog recording and mixing console with an in-line workflow and modern appointments for hybrid analog-digital production environments. Simple, intuitive, and incredibly powerful, Origin represents the culmination of nearly half a century of technological innovation, integrating the best of SSL’s legacy designs into a streamlined format aimed at contemporary DAW-based studios. Origin 16’s state-of-the-art electronics and ultra-low power consumption combined with innovative power saving features give smaller studios lower startup and operational costs, transforming the dream of owning an SSL console into a reality. With Origin 16, you can record, mix, and deliver wide-bandwidth product with massive dynamic range, pristine detail, and the analog weight and the spacial dimension so often absent from music produced entirely in the digital domain.
Perfect for hybrid setups
Designed for modern hybrid production studios, Origin 16 provides the analog punch absent from purely digital recording and mixing setups while seamlessly integrating into your DAW workflow. Origin complements each stage of production, feeding life into your digitally captured tracks on the front end and providing you with the spaciousness and depth of analog summing during mixdown. Origin’s unique modular center section allows the board to adapt to different applications, whether you’re using it for a tracking console in conjunction with analog processors mounted in the convenient 19-inch rack center section, or a more hybrid approach involving touchscreens and controllers within easy reach of your monitoring sweet spot.
Familiar in-line channel strip design
Origin features the familiar SSL in-line channel strip design for intuitive operation. Sporting SSL’s new PureDrive mic/line preamps, Origin 16 delivers the transparent sound for which SSL’s legacy consoles are famous, but adds a drive switch to introduce complex harmonics that respond to changes in preamp gain. Additionally, each channel comes equipped with the renowned SSL E-Series parametric EQ, arguably one of the most detailed and flattering equalizers in pro audio history and one that is favored by scores of multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winning artists, producers, and engineers.
Channel and monitor inputs and direct output
Since its inception in the mid-1970s, the in-line channel configuration has dominated large-format console design, due to the economy of having an input path and a monitor path on a single channel. Though developed with analog tape recorders in mind, it is also an ideal configuration for modern hybrid setups. Origin’s fully balanced electronic architecture and precision bar-graph metering make it perfect for pairing with the highest-quality AD/DA convertors in mission-critical production scenarios.
Origin 16 has the familiar in-line channel strip design found on many of its modern and legacy boards, which includes a direct out on each channel to your DAW, 48V phantom power, polarity invert, monitor input with gain trim for analog summing or record signal monitoring, two stereo cue sends, and four mono aux sends to feed external effects or create mono parallel mixes.
While Origin looks to the past for much of its inspiration, it boasts a unique and newly designed PureDrive preamp. Using modern FET components and a fully transistor-based design, the PureDrive preamp, in its default setting, offers ultra-clean, low-noise performance to retain the purity of a recorded source. However, if you want to push the board into saturation, the PureDrive preamp includes a selectable gain-responsive drive mode, which imparts instant mojo, such as added grit to a vocal or extra crack and aggression to a snare.
E-Series 4-band parametric channel EQ
The Black Knob 242 E-Series EQ was SSL’s third console EQ design following the Brown Knob EQ and the Orange Knob 132 EQ. It improved on its predecessors in several ways: it was more powerful, with an additional 6dB of cut and boost; featured a steeper slope for the highpass filter; and had the capacity to switch the highpass and lowpass filters out of circuit when not being used. However, beyond the spec sheet improvements, the Black Knob EQ quickly gained notoriety for its open and transparent sound, and engineers were struck by how generously they could apply EQ without adding distortion to a signal, especially when cranking up the bass.
Origin 16 is equipped with Black Knob 242 E-Series-style EQs on every channel, which can be flipped between the small and large fader paths. When recording into a DAW, the highpass filter is especially useful for eliminating unnecessary low frequencies that can chew up digital headroom. With variable cut and boost per band and switchable EQ curves between bell and shelving on the high-frequency and low-frequency bands, Origin has incredible tone-shaping power with an unmistakably analog sound.
Multifunction large and small faders
Each of Origin’s 16 channels includes small fader control, with a 60mm high-quality audio fader and a pan knob with center detent, and large fader control, with a 100mm high-quality fader, and independent pan, solo, and cut. Additionally, both small and large fader paths contain a discrete insert point, with the option to place the insert pre-fader.
Cognizant that many contemporary mix engineers prefer to automate within their DAW, SSL supplied Origin with 0dB switches on the large and small fader paths that subtract the faders from those paths. So, you have the ease of computerized automation along with Origin’s warm, analog character.
Typically, the channel input feeds the small fader, and the monitor input feeds the large fader; but, Origin 16 gives you the option to flip the paths according to your workflow preference. And, during mixdown, the small fader path can be routed to the mix bus, doubling Origin’s 16 channels to 32 for handling larger mixes without having to comp tracks in your DAW, for a true large-format console mixing experience.
Comprehensive master control streamlines your workflow
Origin’s master control section is the heart of the console and offers quick, fingertip access to its vast functionality, including talkback and rear panel listen mic, ±10dB trim pots and routing assign switches for the console’s 16 buses, four stereo returns, monitor management, DIM and MONO controls, left and right mutes, and polarity switch. Sitting prominently in the master control center is SSL’s iconic bus compressor, celebrated for its ability to glue a mix together and make it “sound like a record.” The master control section is customizable, with a modular design and 6U of additional 19-inch rack space to load up with your favorite outboard gear, keyboard, monitor, or DAW controller.
Flexible monitor section and communications
SSL is famed for designing well-organized and navigable monitor and communication sections, and Origin 16 continues that tradition. The monitor section is exceptionally flexible, allowing for three sets of monitors — main monitors and two alternate sets with independent trim knobs. So, you can quickly cycle between your monitors, or hook up grot box speakers to check the integrity of your mixes on a less than ideal medium. You can select five different monitor sources (mix, 3.5mm jack in, and three external stereo inputs) and simultaneously monitor multiple sources for expended reference listening and creative applications.
Origin’s matrix of sources and outputs simplifies communications management and foldback to keep engineers, producers, and artists connected throughout the recording process. Customize foldback mixes on two stereo cues or utilize any of the four aux sends for mono parallel mixes. Origin 16 has two options for talkback — a built-in microphone and an XLR input for an external microphone. Each has a dedicated compressor, which, alternatively, can be inserted into any audio channel for the hyper-compressed sound popularized on Phil Collins’ epic “In the Air Tonight” drum solo.
Bus Matrix for advanced routing
One of the ways Origin keeps its vast functionality within a relatively condensed footprint is by routing assignments to a compact, centralized bus matrix. The bus matrix includes ±10dB trim pots for each of Origin’s 16 buses, and its simple two-button operation makes bus assignment incredibly efficient. Select the bus and track you wish to assign to it, and a blue light indicates they are linked — that’s it! If your routing becomes overly complicated and you need to start from scratch, then you can reset it with the push of a button.
Below the bus matrix are Origin’s four stereo returns, which have independent trim and level controls, foldback A and B sends, and a bus routing button and indicator light. Not only does this configuration provide an intuitive interface, but it also uses fewer components than other large-format consoles with the same level of routing, reducing future maintenance requirements.
Classic SSL bus compressor
The center-section compressor from SSL’s G-Series console has achieved must-have status among audio professionals for its uncanny ability to glue together a mix in a distinctly vital and musical way. Origin includes a faithful re-creation of the G-Series bus compressor. No mere emulation; it’s the real deal, true to the original specs, with added sidechain access and a highpass filter to keep the compressor from over-responding to low frequencies. Featuring classic Threshold, Attack, Ratio, and Makeup controls, the Origin’s bus compressor is effortless to use, and, even at higher ratios, retains the dynamic topography of your mix without sounding squashed and lifeless. One of the final links of Origin 16’s beautifully rendered analog signal chain, the bus compressor imparts the timeless vibe and personality that made SSL synonymous with world-class pro audio.
The Solid State Logic legacy
Since its founding by Colin Sanders in 1969, Solid State Logic has followed a design philosophy that prioritizes the needs of artists, engineers, and producers, developing products that facilitate creativity by removing technical impediments and streamlining workflows. Firmly ensconced in the pantheon of pro audio greats, SSL helped shape the history of pro audio, and it continues to innovate, bringing its uncompromising quality and signature sonics to a new generation of artists and creators. Sweetwater is proud to offer you SSL’s pedigreed line of consoles and signal processors.
Solid State Logic Origin 16 Analog Studio Console Features:
- 16-channel analog recording and mixing console with master control section and 16+2 buses
- Newly designed SSL PureDrive mic/line preamps can dial in a range of transparent to harmonically saturated tones and include 48V phantom power and polarity invert
- SSL E-Series 4-band parametric EQ with variable cut/boost and highpass and lowpass filters
- Direct output, 4 auxiliary sends, and 2 stereo cue feeds on each channel
- 60mm small fader and 100mm large fader with balanced inputs in each path, and independent pan, solo, cut, and 0dB switch to set unity gain
- Master control section streamlines operations with talkback and listen mic, bus masters trim and routing, 4 stereo returns, independent trims for 2 monitors, DIM, MONO, Left/Right MUTES, and polarity switch
- Includes SSL’s iconic stereo VCA bus compressor with sidechain and highpass filter
- Adjustable 6U master tile and additional 6U of space in the center section to install a keyboard, video monitor, software controller, or your favorite outboard hardware
- Auto Sleep mode reduces power consumption by switching to standby mode after long periods of inactivity
