| Content | The immense flexibility of software mixers notwithstanding, there's nothing like the in-your-face punch, articulation, and dimensionality that a quality analog summing mixer can impart to your productions. The Phoenix Audio’s Nicerizer Series summing mixers rock proprietary Class A circuitry and smart features that make them legendary analog tone machines for a digital world. A 16-channel DAW summing mixer in a 2RU 19″ rackmount chassis, the Nicerizer 16 Mk2 puts critical elements such as circuit gain staging and panning back into the analog realm where they handily outperform their digital emulations.
Hi-fidelity transformerless input stage
With their Nicerizer summing mixer, Phoenix takes a decidedly modern approach to Class A circuit design. The company's proprietary transformerless input stage delivers the full frequency spectrum with crystal-clear clarity and punch. Transformers tend to slow things down a bit — which can sound amazing in certain cases; but then slew rates take a hit, delivering sluggish transients and limiting your tonal palette.
Driven conservatively, Phoenix Audio's electronically balanced input stage serves up ultra-clear high-fidelity sound. If you're after fatter, more saturated tones, engage the +8dB switch individually on any channel to drive the circuit hotter for a punchy in-your-face sound that only discrete Class A buffer amps can deliver. The Nicerizer 16 Mk2 captures articulate, full-bodied input signals, allowing you to drive the output stage for an immense range of pure Class A tone, from modern audiophile clarity to vintage-flavored warmth.
Masterful transformer-balanced output stage
Phoenix Audio couples their custom-wound DB694 output transformer to a fully discrete, proprietary DSOP-2 output amplifier, itself a direct descendant of the renowned TF1 amp that Phoenix chief designer David Rees developed as an upgrade for vintage Neve 80 Series console modules. Outperforming the TF1, the DSOP-2 represents a pinnacle of Class A output circuit design, offering a seamless tonal range from ultra-clean to gorgeously saturated. With its big iron and massive headroom, you can drive the DSOP-2 to taste. Crank the Nicerizer's output stage to elicit beautifully saturated tones; back off for a cleaner high-fidelity sound, or dial up any flavor in-between.
The Width control
Once you've used the Nicerizer, you'll realize how valuable its unique control set is. The Width control incorporates elements of mid-side processing to narrow or widen your stereo image with the twist of a knob. If you haven’t used a width control before, trust Sweetwater: you're in for a treat! The Nicerizer's Width control offers a degree of spacial manipulation that can instantly tighten up a sprawling arrangement or unlock hidden dimensions in a mix.
Balanced/unbalanced
If your inputs come from a variety of sources, you're bound to be dealing with both balanced and unbalanced signals. No worries! The Nicerizer’s 16 inputs can accept either — without any of the gain loss all too common with many mixer inputs. This amazingly useful feature lets you easily execute many functions that are fast becoming standard practices, such as looping through guitar pedals or recording MIDI-driven synthesizers in real time while mixing.
Stereo bus insert
Today, it's quite common while mixing to strap a compressor or other processor across the mix bus, and the Nicerizer 16 Mk2's stereo bus insert makes it easy. Monitor punchy, loudness-optimized mixes and get a head start on mastering while you're still mixing.
Independently controlled AUX output
Just before it hits the output transformers, the Nicerizer mults an output signal and routes it to a dedicated front-panel level control. This independently controlled AUX output lets you drive external monitor amps or simply bypass the output stage to send a transformerless sound to your recording device.
2-track Return
Another feature borrowed from large-format consoles is the 2-track Return input that lets you monitor an external output source through the Nicerizer's onboard headphone amplifier. Incredibly convenient, and great for A/B comparisons!
The Monitor Select switch
The Nicerizer 16 Mk2 features a unique Monitor Select switch, which lets you easily monitor single pairs of channels (1–2, 3–4, etc.), in addition to any of the Nicerizer's other stereo ports. Infinitely handy for a variety of workflows, this switch is the mixer's secret weapon, ready for all sorts of creative uses, from individual stem work to comparing mixes to direct comparison of multiple analog sources.
The Monitor Select switch Toggle
Once you’ve chosen which input pair you want to monitor via the Monitor Select switch, the Toggle allows you to monitor either the Left or Right channels in mono on both channels via the headphone amp, or to monitor in stereo. Critical analysis of your audio signals has never been easier.
Flexible LED metering
Following the Monitor Select switch, the Nicerizer's LED meter display gives you constant visual confirmation of your operating levels. Another big-console feature, the flexibility afforded by the metering being selectable for each channel as well as the main outputs makes the Nicerizer 16 Mk2's metering setup indispensable for gain management as you finalize your productions.
Phoenix Audio Nicerizer 16 Mk2 Features:
- 16-channel DAW Summing Mixer in a 2RU 19-inch rackmount chassis
- 16 channels of discrete Class A balanced transformerless input stage
- Discrete Class A transformer-balanced DSOP-2 output stage
- Phoenix custom-wired transformers on both outputs
- Individual detented pan controls on each channel
- 16 balanced XLR inputs accept balanced or unbalanced inputs with no -6dB loss
- Unbalanced 1/4-inch TRS insert sends on all Busses, including master Stereo Mix Bus insert
- +8dB Boost button on each channel
- Master mix bus output level control
- Stereo LED level monitoring, switchable for each channel and Stereo Mix Bus
- Stereo/Mono External/Headphone monitoring output is switchable to each channel, external input (via 2T Return), AUX and main output (L, R, and Stereo)
- Main Outputs on balanced XLRs
- Unbalanced 1/4-inch TRS jacks for AUX outputs with front-panel level control
- 2-track stereo mono inputs on 1/4-inch TRS balanced jacks
- Bypassable Class A stereo Width control with lossless bass (pannable from mono to 25% Wider)
- Maximum Output Level of +26dB
- Generous headroom available on all channels
- Wired with PTFE silver-plated mil-spec cable
| SPL MixDream Analogue Summing Unit
- Analogue outboard summing mixer
- Active Class A/60-volt stages
- 16 inserts for mixing external effects
- Individual and overall bypass relays
- Reduced of A/D conversions
- Efficient resampling individual tracks
- Latency-free monitoring
- Stereo expansion control for additional transparency
- Analogue peak limiter for gain optimisation
- Lundahl output transformers and inserts
- Adjustable insert levels, output levels and peak limiters
- Multiple units linkable for larger mixes
| SSL UF8 Advanced DAW Controller
The SSL UF8 is an advanced DAW controller designed to fit the needs of DAW-based workflows and ultra-fast turn-around times. The SSL UF8 features 8, 100mm touch sensitive faders, 8 endless rotary encoders and 43 assignable keys. An expandable 8-channel advanced DAW controller, UF8 connects engineers, producers and artists directly to the creative process, offering absolute command of their workflow and significantly accelerating the speed of audio production and content creation.
Advanced Workflow
UF8 offers intuitive features that are developed from a true understanding of production workflow. Take ultimate control with simultaneous access to multiple DAW sessions, and precise navigation with a multi-purpose Master Encoder for DAW timeline access, track banking and mouse wheel emulation. 'Dual-purpose Selection Keys permit rapid access to select functions as well as solo and mute clearing in Pro Tools and Logic Pro. New CHANNEL and PLUG-IN control modes provide enhanced workflows for those using UF8 with Pro Tools, with easy access to sends and plug-ins without slowing down your creativity.
Configurability
Each UF8 comes equipped with 43 assignable user keys set across 5 configurable banks, allowing users to configure their essential keyboard shortcuts and macros for total session control. Add multiple controllers to create your unique mixing system; build your perfect 16-24 channel music creation hub, or connect 4 UF8’s within a single system to create a 32-channel controller ideal for large post production or mixing sessions. Multiple UF8s can be chained together using the THRU port and provide a safe place for iLok storage. For perfect positioning, each UF8 includes an adjustable stand allowing for six different angles of elevation for user defined placement. 19” rack mount kits are also available for installation into an ORIGIN console center section or other 19” studio racking.
360° Control
SSL’s new 360° software application provides fast configuration and admin control of your UF8. With an expanded system, ‘drag-n-drop’ configuration gives quick and dynamic access to each individual controller set up. Customise workflows and define up to 3 different DAW layers for simultaneous session control, with all changes managed without getting in the way of your productivity.
SSL UF8 Features:
- High-quality 100 mm touch sensitive faders
- High-resolution colour displays
- All metal enclosure, finished with a brushed, anodised top plate
- 8 Endless Rotary Encoders
- Custom Workflows with 43 assignable keys per UF8; 5 banks of 8 User Keys + 3 Quick Keys
- Intelligent Multi-Purpose CHANNEL Encoder
- Mouse Scroll Emulation; control of any plug-in parameter you hover the mouse over with absolute precision
- Integrates With All Major DAWs with workflow ready templates
- Pro Tools | Logic Pro | Cubase | Ableton Live | Studio One
- Hi-Speed USB connectivity
- Switch Control between 3 Simultaneously connected DAWs
- Bundled with SSL Native Vocalstrip 2 & Drumstrip plug-in
| Avid S1 eight-fader EUCON control surface
The Avid S1 is an eight-fader EUCON control surface with unparalleled speed, rich visual feedback, and software integration of Avid's high-end consoles in a slimline surface that's an easy fit for any space or budget. Avid S1 gives you deep hands-on control of your favorite audio and video software and, together with the free Pro Tools | Control app for iPad (iPad not included), provides great ergonomic efficiency, easy touch workflows, and S6-style metering and processing views, so you can navigate large sessions quickly, mix more intuitively, and turn around better sounding mixes fast.
Mix big on a smaller scale
While Avid S1 fits easily between your display and keyboard, it packs a lot of mixing power into its small surface. From motorized faders and knobs that respond to your touch, to fast-access touchscreen workflows and Soft Keys that enable you to perform complex tasks with a single press, S1 provides the speed and versatility to accelerate any music, audio post, or video project.
Get unmatched software integration
S1 is powered by EUCON, Avid’s high-speed Ethernet control protocol that delivers deep hardware/software integration, giving you full touch and tactile access to a host of Avid and third-party software functions and controls. You can even switch between multiple applications—and workstations—at the touch of a button, providing the most fluid editing and mixing experience.
Specifications:
- Faders: Eight motorized, touch-sensitive, 100 mm long-throw faders
- Knobs: Eight push-top, touch-sensitive rotary encoders
- Additional controls: Assorted hardware buttons/keys for various functions and mode selections, including Mute, Solo, Record-enable, Bank, Nudge, and more
- Software interface: Supports the free Pro Tools | Control app running on iPad (iPad not included), providing touchscreen control, project navigation, macro triggers, and more
- Displays: Eight high-resolution OLED displays, plus multiple status LEDs and multicolor track buttons; channel metering, monitoring, processing, track status, automation modes, and other views provided by Pro Tools | Control on iPad
- Height (front, rear): 1.2 inches, 3.8 inches (29 mm, 97 mm)
- Width: 12.3 inches (312 mm)
- Depth: 14.9 inches (377 mm)
| The Ultimate Desktop Mixer Legendary SSL studio tools redefined and streamlined
To the casual observer SiX looks like any other compact desktop mixer. Look a little closer and like all SSL consoles, SiX reveals a carefully considered feature set that is driven by an obsessive desire for total flexibility, to encompass every creative eventuality. It may be small but SiX is a classic SSL design. It carries the DNA of 40 years of true expertise in creative studio workflow. Listen to SiX and you will experience the impeccable sonic performance that is the hallmark of every SSL console. It is powerful and intuitive. Inspired and rewarding.
SiX is a condensed professional console for use in the studio, in post-production, on stage, and for podcasting. SiX offers big console sound and an impressive set of utility features in a format that is small enough to stick in a bag a go wherever you need it. SiX is stunning value; it offers two recording channels with SuperAnalogueTM mic pres, two band EQ, an essential one knob version of the classic SSL Channel Compressor, a new two-band Channel EQ, inserts and 100mm faders. There is a two-knob version of the legendary G-Series Bus Compressor on the main mix bus and the unique Listen Mic Compressor on the Talkback. In mixdown mode it is a very capable twelve channel summing system that offers analogue detail, depth and width to your mixes.
The SuperAnalogue™ Sound of SSL
SiX is an SSL SuperAnalogue™ design – it gives you the sonic signature of a large format SSL console on your desktop or in your backpack. Its signal path is fully balanced from front to back on everything except the headphone output. It delivers pristine, detailed audio with wide dynamic range, ultra-low noise, ultra-low distortion and superb imaging. If you want to know more about the technical reasons why SSL mixers sound so good read our document.
Two Recording Channels
SiX has two mono channels with SSL SuperAnalogue™ Mic’ Pre’s; these are transparent, fast and have a much wider available gain range than you would typically get on a compact desktop mixer – 66dB of gain compared to the more typical mid-40s or 50dB found in desktop mixers. They have phantom power, 75Hz high pass filter and an independent line-level input which can be switched to instrument level input with high impedance.
Moving down the channel strip we have a brand-new one knob compressor circuit. This design is based on and has the same sound as the classic SSL feed-forward Channel Compressor circuit. It has a program-dependent attack time, a fixed release time and fixed ratio. Simply adjust the threshold, watch the traffic lights flash to see how much compression is happening and rely on the circuit to automatically adjust gain to match input levels. This is a cool-sounding circuit that makes it simple to dial in a consistent level and get signals sitting right in the sweet spot.
Both mono channels have a new two-band SSL EQ that may be independently switched between shelf and bell curves, with different centre frequencies for each type. This approach draws upon the SSL design legacy of specifying response curves and centre frequencies for channel EQ that are immediately intuitively pleasing in their response; these curves and frequencies were selected by our team as the most “musically useful” for a wide range of sources.
SiX has 100mm faders. We spent some time working on alternate fader tapers and settled on a law that gave us the most control over the most useable gain range, making on-stage level control far easier than it would be with a rotary or a 60mm fader as found on other compact mixers.
Each channel has a fully balanced insert point for integrating other signal processors which is after the EQ and Compressor circuits, and like all SSLs the insert send is always active – meaning you can use this as a “dry” record send to your DAW if required.
At the bottom of the mono channels we have an ALTernate input switch which can source 2 extra mono channels from a connector on the rear of the console which can be used at mixdown.
Line Level Heaven
SiX has two stereo input channels with -10/+20 dB trim for line sources such as synthesisers, drum machines, output from soundcards etc. These have their own balance controls and 100mm faders. If only the Left input of a stereo channel is connected (and the right left free) the channel will automatically switch to mono, panned centre.
While SiX might be small it can handle a lot of inputs at mix-down! Using the two mono input and the two stereo input channels gives SiX its name, but we also have two stereo EXTernal inputs (with volume controls in the master section) which can be sent to the mix bus. Include the ALT inputs and we have up to 12 channels that can be summed into the main mix bus.
Master Bus Magic
SiX has a G Series Bus Compressor on the main mix bus. This uses the same circuit design as the legendary SSL Bus Compressor from our larger consoles but with a fixed ratio, attack, and release settings and a more modern quad-VCA chip. The simplified controls make it very easy to get that SSL glue and snap on whatever you push through your master bus. SiX also has a set of inserts on the main mix bus that can be used to bring external processing tools (like SSL Fusion) to your mixdown.
Routing Pro
SiX has a collection of professional routing & monitoring features taken directly from our large format console heritage. It has two Stereo Cue buses (with level and pan controls) for individual artist foldback mixes. The Master Section has main and alternate monitor outputs with a proper monitor source matrix, as well as mono check, dim and cut. The fader channels all have proper PFL and a Mute button that routes the muted signal to a ‘Bus B’. Bus B can be used as a convenient DAW record send but it can also be routed to the monitor matrix. This means that the muted signal can be monitored without it feeding the main mix bus and then switched in to the main mix with the Mute button – perfect for live webcasting because a remote feed can be monitored ‘offline’ and punched in to the broadcast feed. There is a talkback mic’ input with phantom power and SSL’s unique, crunchy Listen Mic Compressor, which of course also serves as a unique processing tool that delivers that classic 1980’s slammed drums sound.
Key Features:
A fully professional condensed console for use in the studio, in post-production, on stage, and for podcasting.
Benchmark SuperAnalogue™ audio performance
Ultra low noise : ultra-low distortion : pristine sound
Stunning Record Path
Two SSL console grade SuperAnalogue mic pre’s
Classic SSL Channel Processing
Essential versions of SSL Channel EQ and Dynamics
The unique Listen Mic Compressor
Nothing slams drums quite like it!
Professional Routing & Monitoring
The hidden versatility of truly professional features
12 Input Summing at Mixdown
12 line level inputs with channel and Master Bus inserts
Legendary Master Bus Compressor
An essential version of the incredible SSL legacy
Completely balanced signal path
Everything except the headphone jack is fully balanced | An 8-channel stereo summing mixer with 12AX7 tubes for sonic excitement, the Radial Space Heater can add incredible depth and harmonic richness to your tracks. Recording engineers at Sweetwater know that summing in the analog domain, as opposed to within your DAW, is a great way to get that big-console sound. The Space Heater's variable tube overdrive allows you to add everything from subtle transformer warmth to rich harmonic distortion. From gluing individual drum tracks into a cohesive kit to mixing down your final stems, the Radial Space Heater will add a great sound to your productions.
Tubes and transformers are just what your digital tracks need
No matter how well you record your tracks, or how you approach your mixes in your DAW, it's hard to beat the undeniably rich and deep sound that summing in the analog domain is known for. Instead of investing in a large analog console, a summing mixer like the Radial Space Heater is the perfect match for DAW-based studios. The transformer-coupled outputs add a touch of warmth, and variable tube overdrive is perfect for adding sparkle to vocals, depth to acoustic instruments, and even full-on distortion for extreme effects. Send your stems through the Space Heater, record the stereo mix back into your DAW, and you'll be impressed with the results.
Variable voltage for fine-tuning the tube sound
The Radial Space Heater not only gives you variable tube overdrive for each stereo input pair, but it also allows you to switch between 35-volt, 70-volt, and 140-volt operation. Use the 35-volt setting for maximum grit and distortion, or switch over to 70 volts for cleaner headroom and a smoother sound. When you want the cleanest headroom, switch over to 140 volts. You can adjust the voltage for each stereo input pair individually, which means you can add gritty overdrive to rock vocals while giving bass and drums tons of clean headroom for a deep, punchy sound.
Two useful studio tools in one
One look at the back panel tells you that the Radial Space Heater is ready to be a studio workhorse. Each of the eight channels can be set up as a hardware insert, which means you can send individual tracks through the Space Heater to add tube saturation and transformer warmth. Once your individual tracks are perfect and you're ready to sum your final mix, run your stems through the Space Heater and record the final stereo mix to your DAW. The Space Heater is effectively a smart combination of four outstanding tube/transformer modules plus an analog mixer.
Radial Space Heater 8-channel Tube Summing Mixer Features:
- Stereo summing mixer for adding warmth, depth, and harmonic richness
- A 12AX7 tube for each input pair lets you add anything from subtle sparkle to full-on distortion
- Transformer-coupled outputs add a touch of character while maintaining a high-quality, low-noise signal
- 3 adjustable voltage modes (35-volt/70-volt/140-volt) allow you to adjust how much clean headroom you have before distortion begins
- Use it as an analog summing mixer or as 4 individual tube saturation/transformer warmth modules
- Multiple units can be linked for higher channel count
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