Working at sample rates of 44.1/48 kHz, it is possible to connect up to three SSL 18s simultaneously via ADAT to expand your recording capability to 24 analogue inputs. If working at 88.2/96 kHz, it is possible connect two SSL 18s simultaneously via ADAT and achieve 16 analogue inputs.
How should I clock my units?
It is possible to clock the additional SSL 18s via ADAT or S/PDIF.
We recommend you clock via S/PDIF coaxial cables, as this provides the most robust solution that keeps the clocking separate.
Using 3 x SSL 18s (44.1/48 kHz sample rates)
Required cabling:
- USB cable
- 2 x S/PDIF cables
2 x ADAT cables
Hardware Setup:
Using this configuration will make the channels appear in your DAW as follows:
- SSL 18 Unit #1 - Inputs 1-8
- SSL 18 Unit #2 - Inputs 11-18 (and will also appear in the SSL 18 Low-Latency Mixer on ADAT Inputs 1-8)
- SSL 18 Unit #3 - Inputs 19-26 (and will also appear in the SSL 18 Low-Latency Mixer on ADAT Inputs 9-16)
To begin...
Connect your ADAT and S/PDIF (for clocking) cables as shown in the diagram above.
- Take the USB cable that is connected from the computer to SSL unit #1 , and instead, plug it into SSL unit #3.
Open SSL 360°, go to the SSL 18 Mixer Page and select Clock source: 'S/PDIF (Coaxial)':
- Navigate to the mixer to the right of the control panel and locate the Analogue inputs:
Beneath the faders, please find the Mirror Out option. Click on the drop down menu and assign each analogue channel's mirror out to an ADAT output, consecutively. e.g. Analogue 1 --> ADAT 1, Analogue 2 --> ADAT 2, Analogue 3 --> ADAT 3 etc
Repeat this for each channel to replicate the below image:
Optional: if you wish, take this opportunity to save the profile using the 'Save As' button. Doing so will avoid having to set it up manually again in the future.
- Disconnect the USB cable from SSL 18 unit #3 and plug it into SSL 18 unit #2.
- Repeat steps 1-3.
- Disconnect the USB cable from SSL 18 unit #2 and plug it into SSL 18 unit #1.
With SSL 18 unit #1 connected to the Mac/PC via USB, open SSL 360°, go to the SSL 18 Mixer Page and select 'Internal' clock (found in the control panel):
Navigate to the mixer to the right of the control panel and locate the Analogue inputs. Set the Mirror routing to 'No Route' for Analogue Inputs 1-8.
Repeat this for each channel to replicate the below image:
Connecting 2 x SSL 18's or Using a Sample Rate of 88.2/96kHz
Using either of the above configurations will make the channels appear in your DAW as follows:
- SSL 18 Unit #1 - Inputs 1-8
- SSL 18 Unit #2 - Inputs 11-18 (and will also appear in the SSL 18 Low-Latency Mixer on ADAT Inputs 1-8)
To begin...
Connect your ADAT and S/PDIF (for clocking) cables as shown in the diagram above that applies for your use case.
Take the USB cable that is connected from the computer to SSL unit #1 , and instead, plug it into SSL unit #2.
- Open SSL 360°, go to the SSL 18 Mixer Page and select Clock source: 'S/PDIF':
- Navigate to the mixer to the right of the control panel and locate the Analogue inputs:
Beneath the faders, please find the Mirror Out option. Click on the drop down menu and assign each analogue channel's mirror out to an ADAT output, consecutively. e.g. Analogue 1 --> ADAT 1, Analogue 2 --> ADAT 2, Analogue 3 --> ADAT 3 etc
Repeat this for each channel to replicate the below image:
Optional: if you wish, take this opportunity to save the profile using the 'Save As' button. Doing so will avoid having to set it up manually again in the future.
- Disconnect the USB cable from SSL 18 unit #2 and plug it into SSL 18 unit #1.
- With unit #1 connected to the Mac/PC via USB, open SSL 360°, go to the SSL 18 Mixer Page and select 'Internal' clock (found in the control panel):
- Navigate to the mixer to the right of the control panel and locate the Analogue inputs. Set the Mirror routing to 'No Route':
Repeat this for each channel to replicate the below image: