Billed as the ‘most powerful’ SSL console, the L650 is designed for demanding large-scale productions in international touring, houses of worship and corporate facilities, where multiple live, broadcast and Streamed/OTT mixes are required.
The ergonomic design first used on the L200 is the basis for that of the L650, with triple-wide fader banks offering 36 faders and complemented by the knob-per-function Channel Control tile as found on the L550 Plus. Cutaways for external screens keep line of sight to artist and stage clear, and create two distinct areas of focus for operators.
A tablet can be used to bring additional touchscreen control over channel processing and effects processing using the SSL TaCo tablet control application. Additional screens connected to external PCs or touchscreen laptops running Solsa can be arm mounted to the console to add further touchscreen control options.
The L650's next-gen Optimal Core Processing (OCP) technology and I/O architecture offer extensive flexibility to accompany 856 inputs and outputs, and 312 mix paths at 96kHz. These can be assigned as Channels, Stem Groups, Auxes and Masters to suit demands, and configured as anything between mono, which use a single path, to 5.1 which use six paths.
The 32-input/36-output matrix has its own dedicated processing, and can be segmented into four separate smaller matrices if desired. All 36 matrix output paths have high- and low-pass filters, four-band EQ, 2s of delay and SSL’s All Pass filters in addition to two inserts that can be used with both the internal effects rack and external processing.
The L650 offers comprehensive I/O connectivity with the capacity to serve both FOH and monitor applications. SSL Live I/O meets claims a frequency response that is within 0.05 dB of flat from 20Hz to 40kHz (within 1.3dB down to 10Hz) and a THD+N of <0.005%. D/A conversion is 96kHz, 24 bits, and the console operates at 96kHz.
The local and remote I/O mic/line amps use SSL’s DC coupled (no electrolytic capacitors in the signal path) circuitry and high input impedance. Microphone amp gain is controlled in more than 16,000 steps, ensuring smooth control alongside high common mode rejection and extremely low distortion.
The local analogue I/O configuration provides 16 mic/line inputs, 16 line outputs, and two headphone/monitor outputs. The AES/EBU digital I/O configuration comprises four pairs of inputs and four pairs of outputs. AES/EBU I/O has fully variable sample rate conversion.
The console’s standard Madi port configuration offers redundant pairs of coaxial and two fibre (non-redundant) ports. If redundancy is not required, these connections can be independent, providing a maximum of 16 ports. In addition, there is a separate optical Madi port (out/in), designed for use as an FX loop for connecting an external device – such as a system using Waves Multirack or a VST effects host. The standard configuration offers SSL Blacklight II connectors.
A Dante card is also fitted as standard, offering 32x32 channels of I/O at 96kHz (or 64x64 channels at 48kHz) over a redundant Dante connection. An optional redundant pair of SSL X-Light connectors provide 256 bi-directional channels at 96kHz between console and stage using a single cable with ruggedised connectors. The rear panel accommodates connectors for Midi, LTC, word clock and GP I/O. The console has redundant power supplies.
In addition, the console’s latest V5.0 issue software brings a host of new features and enhancements to the SSL Live platform. Where, V4.11 software introduced integrated control of L’Acoustics L-ISA Immersive system, V5.0, adds integrated control of Meyer Sound Immersive loudspeaker systems via SpaceMap Go APP. Rgere are also new Plus Processing Packs, enhanced third-party device control, new processing tools (Blitzer and Sorcerer) and Path Recall Safe.
‘The SSL Live L650 is a powerful solution for both touring professionals and house of worship operators,’ says SSL Live Product Specialist, Fernando Guzmán. ‘Built on our flexible Tempest processing engine and using our SuperAnalogue audio technology and, as all SSL Live consoles, legendary SSL processing tools, the L650 is the most flexible, scalable and powerful SSL Live console to date. Its remote capabilities and make it nimble and scalable for many touring or house of worship applications, while the sound quality, workflow and dependability are exactly what you would expect from SSL.’
More: www.solidstatelogic.com
