How much ‘bigger’ is BiG SiX than SiX?
9U front to back compared to 7U for SiX and double the width (i.e. fits a full 19” rack width).
Nearly double the weight of SiX at approx. 10 kg/22lbs.
Requires approximately double the power of SiX at ~70 Watts.
For more precise details see Appendix A of the BiG SiX User Guide
Is there a rack mount kit?
Yes, part number 729752XR.
What settings does BiG SiX's USB interface support?
16 channels in and out at 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz sample rates, 24 bit resolution.
What USB cable should be used to connect BiG SiX?
BiG SiX is supplied with type C to C and C to A USB cables. The supplied cables are approved and tested to handle the channel count. Any quality cable that meets the specification for USB type 2.0 should work with BiG SiX, however it is worth checking for reliable full 16 channel performance from any replacement cable. While testing BiG SiX, some third party unbranded braided cables that ‘looked’ to be of good quality were found to fail performance tests with obvious dropouts/glitches when 16 channels were streamed to/from BiG SiX.
How to route discretely to BiG SiX USB channels 1 & 2 in Logic Pro?
A quirk of Logic Pro is that the 'Stereo Output' routing is 'attached' to Logic's outputs 1 and 2. This can be changed in Logic's Preferences>Audio>IO Assignments menu. However, changing the default stereo output (for example to 15/16), does not release outputs 1 and 2 to be discretely routed from the DAW paths.
This can be resolved in Logic by creating an Aggregate Device in MacOS and using that as the selected audio interface. An internet search for "Logic Pro - Changing stereo output from 1-2" should discover some suggestions and further discussion of the issue.
Overview/diagram of Big Six USB connections
Refer to page 26 of the User Guide.
Where are the connections for the Alt Inputs of the Stereo Cue Bus?
The Alt Inputs of Stereo Cue Bus 1 are a feature of SiX and not part of BiG SiX.
Can I connect SiX and BiG SiX together?
BiG SiX features a pair of direct ‘Sum Input To Main’ mix bus inputs on the rear connector panel. If these inputs are connected to the Main Outputs of SiX then SiX will act as a sub-mixer to BiG SiX, without needing to use any of BiG SiX’s Input or External Channels. This sum point is straight onto the Main Bus, therefore before the Insert, Bus Compressor and Main Fader in BiG SiX.
Are there more subtle differences between SiX and BiG SiX?
Most differences between the two consoles are obvious but there are a few small differences in how BiG SiX operates that are useful to understand:
Firstly, selection of signals for the Cue Sends sum in BiG SiX rather than inter-cancel as they do in SiX. This increases the versatility of these sends but does mean users need to beware multiple switches being pressed in the Cue Master section.
BiG SiX's channel compressor has a slightly gentler knee compared to SiX; this helps reduce low frequency modulation/distortion of certain signals (e.g. Bass Guitars)
The ‘ALT’ input feature of SiX Stereo Cue 1 in the Mono Channels is not a feature of BiG SiX.
What does the ‘ST CUE 1 TO G COMP & SUM TO MAIN BUS’ switch do?
Fundamentally it allows parallel compression using the Bus Compressor. How it might do this is detailed on page 18 of the User Guide.
BiG SiX is warm to the touch
BiG SiX’s SuperAnalogue audio circuits are designed to run warm and BiG SiX contains a lot of electronics in a small space. The console is designed to cool front to back, so ensuring ventilation inlets and outlets (front and rear) have clearance is important to reliable operation.
No output from the monitors
Check that there is something selected in the monitor source section of the console (see page 13 of the user manual). A monitor source needs to be selected (typically MAIN) to hear something from the monitor outputs. Also check that the ALT button isn't pressed with nothing connected to the Alternate Monitor connections.
When I connect only to a Left Input, there is also a signal on the Right
This is a feature of the stereo inputs of BiG SiX (see page 11 of the user manual). If an input is only connected to the left input of the stereo input pair (i.e. Stereo Channel inputs and External Inputs) then the signal is automatically sent to both left and right paths.
No signal from the B-Bus output
Check that the the B-Bus Mute button is not pressed. This can be found under the B-Bus output level control which is to the left of the Main Fader. This button is a simple way to turn the Mute/B-Bus switches on the channel strips into permanent Mute buttons or simply mute the B-Bus Output if it is being used as a secondary bus output.
No signal from the SuperAnalogue Channels
Check the Channel Insert button. If this is ON with no Insert Return connected to the TRS connector then the channel signal will be muted. The Insert Send is always present and only the Insert Return is switched.
No signal to the Main Bus
Check the Main Fader Insert button. If this is ON with no Insert Return connected to the D-Type connectors then the Main Fader signal will be muted. The Insert Send is always present and only the Insert Return is switched