MusicRadar

The X-Desk is compact and well-built.

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• Review

For anyone with the vaguest interest in audio production, the name Solid State Logic is synonymous with technical innovation and the very highest quality analogue and digital audio consoles.

As audio production techniques have changed, its product range has adapted to the new landscape. In our current DAW-dominated culture, SSL has provided us with two of the best examples of analogue/control surface hybrids - the AWS and the Matrix. In its X-Rack system it's included all the classic mic preamps, compressors and even a summing mixer configuration.

Therefore, it begs the question of the X-Desk: why bother bringing out what is ostensibly another summing mixer with no DAW control and no total recall? Well, it's true that the X-Desk lacks many of the features of its older and bigger siblings, but it also lacks the price tag. Within this price range, the summing mixer market is pretty crowded, so just what exactly does this unit from SSL offer us?

Overview

First things first, this is a proper small desk - channels, cue sends, FX returns and a Monitor section with talkback are included. As with the Matrix, each channel strip has dual line inputs that arrive via D-Sub connections on the back, so in total you have 16 line-ins.

At the top of the channel strip is an indented line trim centre with +/- 20dB of gain. The first of the three switches swaps between the Main and the Alt line-in. The second is a phase reverse, which is always good to see, and the third is the insert in and out.

There are eight inserts, one for each channel, which also connect via D-Subs. Just below these is another switch that swaps the channel direct out between pre and post fader. The direct outs feed another D-Sub, which gives you the option of riding a fader while recording, something that's pretty essential in any set-up.

"This is a proper small desk - channels, cue sends, FX returns and a Monitor section with talkback are included."

Below the Input section comes the Stereo Cue and the FX sends. The Stereo Cue has Pan and Level controls and two switches. The first offers pre or post the channel fader, and the second switches the cue over to the Alt input. This is how you get 16 inputs on a mixdown - the Cue Balance can be sent to the mix buss along with the outputs of the eight channels. Below the Stereo Cue are the two FX sends.

The last knob is the Channel Pan pot and beneath this are the Cut and Solo switches, which light red and yellow respectively, and the 100mm channel fader. The knobs all feel firm and positive in operation, as do the switches. If we have one criticism though, it's that the faders feel a bit light. We'd definitely prefer them to be firmer, but they're smooth in operation and, because of their long travel, are pretty precise.