Author Topic: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!  (Read 30417 times)

marcmozart

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SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!
« on: February 27, 2013, 08:42:28 PM »
It's about time to start a thread about the 4 year journey of installing my 48 Channel G-Series Console. The final install is happening in the next 6 weeks, so it's time to look back, share past videos and pictures and also interact with you guys as there are still a few interesting details to solve…

As a start, here's a video of when we picked up the console in August 2009 from Paris.

http://youtu.be/ty_SPobPmMg

I also started a 2nd thread that deals purely with troubleshooting my console (as it's actually up and running and I'm mixing on it since April 16, 2013). http://forum.sslmixed.com/index.php?topic=301.0 (<- Trouble Shooting Journal)

In early 2014 I started another thread called "Rebirth of the Mix Computer" (<- full refurbish of a mix computer)
http://forum.sslmixed.com/index.php?topic=499.0
« Last Edit: May 30, 2014, 07:20:20 PM by marcmozart »
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
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marcmozart

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - finding the right console
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2013, 09:02:38 PM »
I bought the console in Paris, from Gil Martini, formely head of tech at SSL France. The desk was formely installed at a kids TV station in Paris and maintained by Gil all through it's previous life.
I looked at a number of desks during my lengthy search for a console and what convinced me about this one, apart from Gil's warm and friendly personality, was the measurements I took from all the channels. I basically ran a 0Hz - 44kHz frequency sweep (at 88kHz sample-rate) from each channel's line input to the post VCA output of the centre section by using the Mac OS software http://www.fuzzmeasure.com

Whereas the results of other consoles I looked at where extremely random, Gil's console gave me a straight line from about 15Hz to 40kHz. The line looked astoundingly similar on all 48 Channels except 2 or 3 which Gil fixed on the spot - very impressive!

The console was setup, completely functional, and sounding very clean when inspected, so it was an easy decision to go for it.
« Last Edit: October 24, 2013, 01:04:19 AM by marcmozart »
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
Mix Engineer Blog
http://www.mixedbymarcmozart.com

marcmozart

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - cosmetical considerations (the channels!)
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2013, 09:37:18 PM »
Once we had the console at the "soon-to-be new mixroom", I decided to give the console a complete cleaning job, so that it would not only technically but also cosmetically look like new.

Here's what we did with the channels:

- we build a wooden costum stand that would allow us to service and clean removed channels
- every knob and their underlying brass-holders were removed from the channels
- the (granite G-series grey) metal surface of every single channel was cleaned with Isopropyl-Alcohol and a Toothbrush, which took about 60 minutes for every single channel
- the PCBs were cleaned from dust with a soft brush while a vacuum cleaner, held in some distance, sucked in the dust.
- all knobs, knobcabs and their brass holders were cleaned in an industrial Miele dishwasher.
- knobs and knobcabs that didn't look like new were not used again

I'm attaching some pictures of this process...
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
Mix Engineer Blog
http://www.mixedbymarcmozart.com

Matt Sartori

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2013, 09:42:46 PM »
I watched this video ages ago!!! now it all makes sense! well done!
Gil is a fantastic tech and guy, much respect form us at Funky Junk!
I like the guys accent very cockney!

 ;) ;) ;)

Well done with your installation, please keep on posting!

Mattia.


marcmozart

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2013, 09:46:17 PM »
More channel pictures...  8) more soon (trim, centre section, etc...)
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
Mix Engineer Blog
http://www.mixedbymarcmozart.com

StefanNowak

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2013, 06:43:50 AM »
I can't tell you how many times I watched that video before the arrival of my board.

Stef.

marcmozart

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - new red trim!
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2013, 09:12:07 PM »
I'll just let the pictures speak for itself. My obsession for red leather originates from the classic 1954 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing sports coupe, but thats another story.

Jim Lassen once mentioned to me that a few consoles were factory delivered in costum trim colors, and I would definitely like to know more. The ones I heard about were done by the owners (some of you will know about the red 4060 G+ that used to be at Alpha Centauri Studio, now at Studio 2 of http://www.spherestudios.com).

Anyway, the material we've used is artificial leather. For the G Series Side-trim we heated it with a hairdryer - when warm you can stretch the material and bend it around corners.

Pictures below... removing original black trim and upholstering the armrest. BTW, to remove the armrest you just have to unscrew some VCA Faders, not too complicated.
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
Mix Engineer Blog
http://www.mixedbymarcmozart.com

marcmozart

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series - new red Side Trim
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2013, 09:19:08 PM »
Side Trim - those are two parts on each side. To remove the trim we had to reach underneath the patchbay (left) and producer-table/rack (right). Quite tricky...

Meter-Bridge Trim - ideally you remove the meters because the Trim is secured with screws from inside the meter-"penthouse".
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
Mix Engineer Blog
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Artur D'Assumpção

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2013, 02:58:00 PM »
Beautiful job!!! This is trully the SSL Mercedes!! :D

marcmozart

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2013, 06:04:47 PM »
A few centre section close-up pics..
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
Mix Engineer Blog
http://www.mixedbymarcmozart.com

marcmozart

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2013, 06:12:59 PM »
Some Beauty Shots - done after cleaning the channels. Reminds me I still need to put all the pushbutton covers in the dishwasher.
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
Mix Engineer Blog
http://www.mixedbymarcmozart.com

marcmozart

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!
« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2013, 06:21:54 PM »
SSL aside for a moment. Here are some pictures of the studio-build from this week. Isolation of the ceiling.
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
Mix Engineer Blog
http://www.mixedbymarcmozart.com

Artur D'Assumpção

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!
« Reply #12 on: March 22, 2013, 09:28:08 PM »
This console is impressive! :D

It shines like new!! :D What did you used to clean the surface and the buttons? It's really polished!

Good work!

Kudos,

Artur

marcmozart

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2013, 09:02:29 AM »
See earlier post!

Channels put in custom service stand.
All pot knobs, caps and brass-holders removed.
Surface cleaned with Isopropyl-Alcohol and Toothbrush.
Knob Parts in Miele Dishwasher.

Done!

Takes about 2-3 hours total per channel the way we did it. This stuff alone took us a year. (As we are music producers and still had to get music done LoL)

This console is impressive! :D

It shines like new!! :D What did you used to clean the surface and the buttons? It's really polished!

Good work!

Kudos,

Artur
1992 SSL 4048 G-Series
Mix Engineer Blog
http://www.mixedbymarcmozart.com

Artur D'Assumpção

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Re: SSL 4000 G-Series Install - a 4 year journey!
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2013, 11:31:45 AM »
Damn impressive amount of work!

Do you have more detailed pictures of the channels in the custom surface mount?

For the channel cards, did you just "sucked out" the dust, or did you took off all cards and cleaned with any type of circuit/contact cleaner?

Didn't the washing machine erased the button markings?! You used standard washing detergent right?

Cheers,

Artur
« Last Edit: March 23, 2013, 11:36:15 AM by Artur D'Assumpção »