Music production company OnlyCproduction has installed the first Solid State Logic Origin analogue mixing console in Vietnam. The 32-channel desk is to be found in the Ho Chi Minh City studio of musician, singer and producer OnlyC.
The music production facility, which has been continuously developed and upgraded since opening in 2013, offers recording, mixing and mastering services to artists, film companies, record labels and commercial brands.
‘I primarily use the SSL Origin for mixing rather than tracking,’ says OnlyC, who relocated the studio to a new building in the Lakeview City villa area of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 2 in 2022.
The console is part of a hybrid mixing workflow, using analogue summing and processing with plug-ins on DAWs including Pro Tools and Reaper. ‘I’ve always appreciated the sonic character of SSL, and after researching the Origin, I felt it was the right choice for my studio,’ he says. ‘For me, SSL is one of the leading choices in professional music production.’
The Vietnamese pop performer, who mixes elements of traditional and current music in his productions, was already very familiar with a variety of SSL processing and mixing tools. ‘I have used many SSL products, and they consistently reinforce my confidence in their sonic quality,’ he continues. ‘Both in the past and currently, I own and use a variety of SSL equipment, including the G-Series Buss Compressor, THE BUS+, Fusion, and BiG SiX. While these are not consoles as such, they all carry the family sound and quality.’
OnlyC has put the Origin through its paces on numerous productions since taking delivery of the new console from SSL Asia. ‘I’m very satisfied and impressed with the SSL Origin,’ he reports. ‘The EQ is clean yet retains a strong analogue character. The built-in G Series Bus Compressor is excellent – punchy, cohesive and very musical. Overall, the sound is punchy and clean, with a solid stereo image, great depth in the summing bus and a strong sense of space in the mix.’
Several features stand out, especially Origin’s sound-shaping tools: ‘The 242 E Series EQ delivers an immediately satisfying sound,’ OnlyC says. ‘It helps elements sit in the mix quickly, with subtle saturation, added density and a natural sense of analogue-style glue. I use the G Series Bus Compressor on the SSL Origin very frequently – in fact, on almost every mix. It’s a powerful tool that helps bring cohesion, energy and musicality to the track. And I occasionally use the mic preamp’s PureDrive feature on selected tracks. In my opinion, when used appropriately, its Drive feature adds a very appealing harmonic character and enhances the overall density of the source.’
OnlyC also highlights a number of routing features: ‘It is intuitive, flexible and very inspiring to work with. Since I use a significant amount of outboard analogue gear, I frequently use inserts along with the onboard EQ. I regularly use the center section of the SSL Origin and really enjoy it, especially the G Series Bus Compressor and the stereo group mixing features. I make full use of all 16 subgroups as well as the eight stereo mix buses. I typically route channels into these groups to build instrument buses, allowing me to control the mix more effectively according to my workflow and creative direction.
‘Since installing the SSL Origin, many top Vietnamese artists who have worked at OnlyCproduction have been very satisfied with both the sound and the workflow,’ he adds. ‘I also run a music label and collaborate with major international record companies, and the presence of the SSL Origin has made the production process smoother – especially in achieving high-quality final results. As a music producer in Vietnam, I can say that the SSL Origin has become an essential part of my workflow and has significantly enhanced my overall production process.’
More: www.solidstatelogic.com