The latest in a long heritage of SSL studio mixing consoles, Origin has traditional analog studio workflow at its heart, while being the perfect partner for a modern DAW-driven hybrid production studio. Its classic design looks back to the origin of in-line consoles for signal flow inspiration, incorporating cutting-edge analog developments to deliver a unique sonic signature that’s still unmistakably SSL.

Origin is more than just the culmination of four decades of technical innovation. Because of SSL’s deep knowledge of workflow and studio integration, they designed a console to provide the immediacy and well-executed ergonomics that will inspire and engage a modern studio environment. Origin does this and more—leading the way with a fresh look at how an analog console complements the latest digital tools and production techniques.

Next-Generation Analog Studio Console

The legendary SSL consoles of the ’70s and ’80s helped define studio production. Origin takes these principles and combines them with a modern feature set that bridges the gap between digital production and analog console workflow.

A purely analog in-line design, with 16 buses, E-Series EQ and classic Bus Compressor, Origin breathes new life into a design classic across the whole console. The PureDrive mic pre inherits the clarity and purity of previous SSL mic pre designs, switching character to a warm, harmonically rich and driven tone that varies with mic pre gain.

The mix bus and mix amp architecture delivers an amazingly low noise floor, along with huge headroom. The result is a mix bus that retains the classic SSL sound, while bringing the breadth and space to mixes that engineers and producers love from analog summing.

Balanced insert points for each channel path (both large and small fader), dedicated channel direct outputs, stem-ready 0dB fader bypass switches, plus a configurable center section, make ORIGIN an ideal way of adding console workflow to a modern production studio.

The adjustable center section features 12U of rack space, allowing the modular 6U master tile to be repositioned to create space for software controllers, a computer keyboard or additional outboard processing. The meter bridge can also be lowered into the center section, enabling a screen to be positioned so all your production software can be viewed just where you need it.

Master Control Section

The Master Control section is the heart of Origin, designed with the easily accessible features and tools needed for fast and creative session workflow. Taking sustainability, ergonomics, modern gain-staging and communication requirements into consideration, Origin offers a reassuringly familiar Master Control feature-set with some ahead-of-the-curve functionality.

The classic SSL Bus Compressor is a fundamental feature of SSL Master Control tiles and sees a number of enhancements in Origin. Offering new compression ratios, insert return and built-in side-chain filter, the legendary mix bus glue (and punch) is ready for even the most modern of productions.

A central track bus routing matrix features 16 +/–10dB trims for the track buses, with a routing assign switches for each bus.

The unique Auto Sleep mode enables automatic detection of prolonged inactivity to put the console in stand-by, reducing power consumption and making Origin significantly more efficient than legacy SSL consoles.

Comprehensive Solo controls provide choice of Solo-In-Front with Mix balance, Solo-In-Place for large, small and group faders, and PFL options. Solo Level, Solo Clear and red light switch complete the available options.

The mix bus features a high-quality 100 mm fader, with fully balanced switched Insert for external bus processing.

The monitoring section features independent trims for Alternate Monitors 1 and 2, variable DIM level, MONO plus left and right mutes, and "ø" polarity switch. You can select your monitor source from the main mix, three external stereo sources or a front panel stereo 3.5 mm jack input, with a Sum switch allowing selected sources to be listened to simultaneously.

Four Stereo Return inputs enable ORIGIN to route to Mix and Track Buses with level-controlled feeds to Stereo Foldback outputs A and B.

E-Series 242 EQ

The E-Series 242 EQ was probably the most popular EQ from the SL 4000 series console range, and it's back for Origin, which uses this iconic SSL design for its channel EQ. Origin features the acclaimed E-Series 4-band parametric EQ on each of its 32 channels, with variable Cut/Boost per band, HF and LF Bell/Shelf switches, independent sweepable HPF on every channel and unmistakable 242-style growl and deep low end.

PureDrive

Origin features a completely new microphone preamplifier design that inherits the clarity and purity of previous SSL mic pres, with the added flexibility of switching character to a warm, harmonically rich and driven tone that varies with gain.

OriginN's PureDrive is a discrete transistor mic pre based around modern FET components. The result is an ultraclean, ultralow noise preamp, that is fast and offers stunning resolution when in Pure mode. Hit the switch and the Drive circuit is engaged, adding gain dependent non-linear harmonic saturation.

Origin Center Section

With the evolution of more sophisticated digital audio workstations and new hybrid approaches to session workflow, Origin takes a fresh look at what an analog console provides to complement these sophisticated digital tools.

While Origin has a familiar surface, its design makes it adaptable for many different production scenarios. The 19" rack-based modular center section allows the console to adapt to different control priorities and adds space for custom outboard processing. For example, the addition of a central 500 series rack provides a way to accommodate flexible analog processing from a number of manufacturers, the ability to move the center section allows for workstation controllers to be centrally located, even the 3U center meter panel can be moved to allow a workstation monitor to move closer to the engineer without obscuring the main meters.