Author Topic: Building my mini SSL4k  (Read 24777 times)

Subhumanrecords

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Building my mini SSL4k
« on: May 18, 2013, 09:31:30 PM »
Well, I've collected parts for awhile and finally got first bucket together. SSL Guru and God Sintech is modding my vu's. waiting on second bucket and buss cards from Kevin (audioparlour) so I can get it put together. This will be a true passion of love. This couldn't be possible without my buddy Sintech, who basically is helping me out and taking time to explain a lot of stuff that I have no idea about. I can't praise him enough. Nothing but love for my bro. Now to get Mr. Jim some money so I can get a kickass patch bay going. Thanks to everyone here, Mattia thank you also my friend.
I'll keep posting progress, all input is welcome to help a SSL brother out.
« Last Edit: May 19, 2013, 02:14:57 PM by Subhumanrecords »
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Matt Sartori

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2013, 10:20:34 PM »
this is looking rather promising...
DETAILED pictures are a MUST!
I am sure you are going to have a lot of fun with this, but most of all make GOOD music with it!!!

Mattia. 8)

Subhumanrecords

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2013, 10:34:38 PM »
Thanks Mattia , If it wasn't for you , andy, and Jim. This could never even happened.
Hopefully other SSL gear freaks will post and help as I go thru this process, which has become a blast.

..M..
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sintech

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2013, 12:24:47 AM »
Hey Myke, it's a total pleasure to convert the VU PCB cards for you, it's just 10 mins each, and done 24 already!! I've done nothing more than exactly what SSL did. :)

Took a while to work a 9K circuit to work with the 4K.. but hey! we got the meters cheap! so it was worth the science.

Also tried to do a pictorial mod guide for this... but it's way tooo hard to explain :( Only you, me and Stef got the meters from that 96 Channel 9000J, so happy to mod yours.. ones also Stef! too :-)

Here's a YouTube of the very first 100% working 9K to 4k VU conversion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YknTVRosPa4
« Last Edit: May 19, 2013, 12:40:11 AM by sintech »

sintech

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2013, 01:11:18 AM »
Looking at the pic, you need to move the Penthouse metering rails forward.

The bucket in the present form is in 'Bargraph mode' which sits deeper.

Normally, an adapter is put in for VU operation in the factory.

What I did was move the top and bottom rails forward and just use the back screws to hold the Isep Rails in place to make the VU panel flush.


Subhumanrecords

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2013, 01:50:08 AM »
I kept looking at your pic and thought something wasn't kosher with that. So I need to move the top piece forward to be flush? Seems simple enough.
Anything else you see I might had screwed up? Lol
I can email you better pics with meters out. Just set them there cause they look cool.hehe
Now, where the Hell does the PSU hook to, and where do I take mic, line, sends etc... Out the dsubs.
In other words,  I've fallen Andy and can't get up.hehe
Your the best bro, I owe you more than you no, and I gotcha back at all times my friend.

.M...
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Matt Sartori

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2013, 09:41:05 AM »
I kept looking at your pic and thought something wasn't kosher with that. So I need to move the top piece forward to be flush? Seems simple enough.
Anything else you see I might had screwed up? Lol
I can email you better pics with meters out. Just set them there cause they look cool.hehe
Now, where the Hell does the PSU hook to, and where do I take mic, line, sends etc... Out the dsubs.
In other words,  I've fallen Andy and can't get up.hehe
Your the best bro, I owe you more than you no, and I gotcha back at all times my friend.

.M...

we want to see pictures!!!!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Mattia.

sintech

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2013, 10:21:45 AM »
I kept looking at your pic and thought something wasn't kosher with that. So I need to move the top piece forward to be flush? Seems simple enough.
Anything else you see I might had screwed up? Lol
I can email you better pics with meters out. Just set them there cause they look cool.hehe
Now, where the Hell does the PSU hook to, and where do I take mic, line, sends etc... Out the dsubs.
In other words,  I've fallen Andy and can't get up.hehe
Your the best bro, I owe you more than you no, and I gotcha back at all times my friend.

.M...

No probs, we should Skype later dude.

Subhumanrecords

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #8 on: May 19, 2013, 01:36:11 PM »
I kept looking at your pic and thought something wasn't kosher with that. So I need to move the top piece forward to be flush? Seems simple enough.
Anything else you see I might had screwed up? Lol
I can email you better pics with meters out. Just set them there cause they look cool.hehe
Now, where the Hell does the PSU hook to, and where do I take mic, line, sends etc... Out the dsubs.
In other words,  I've fallen Andy and can't get up.hehe
Your the best bro, I owe you more than you no, and I gotcha back at all times my friend.

.M...

we want to see pictures!!!!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Mattia.

Taking more pics for Mattia, let me do what Andy suggested and I'll post them.
Damn, I love this. I see I will have to expand to at least a 4024...lol.
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Matt Sartori

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #9 on: May 19, 2013, 11:14:28 PM »
I kept looking at your pic and thought something wasn't kosher with that. So I need to move the top piece forward to be flush? Seems simple enough.
Anything else you see I might had screwed up? Lol
I can email you better pics with meters out. Just set them there cause they look cool.hehe
Now, where the Hell does the PSU hook to, and where do I take mic, line, sends etc... Out the dsubs.
In other words,  I've fallen Andy and can't get up.hehe
Your the best bro, I owe you more than you no, and I gotcha back at all times my friend.

.M...

we want to see pictures!!!!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Mattia.

Taking more pics for Mattia, let me do what Andy suggested and I'll post them.
Damn, I love this. I see I will have to expand to at least a 4024...lol.


4024 is THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM...  ;D ;D ;D

jimlfixit

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Mike Carter's SSL
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2013, 12:42:06 AM »
Hi Mike

Sorry I haven't been in contact. I've been busy with a few jobs, various possible waste of time small studio wiring enquires plus I left you alone as I knew you had other things to deal with and could do with a break!

Good to see some pictures of your console at last and that you have some help from people on this forum.

For the record, and if my memory serves me correctly, SSL supplied VU or PPM meter consoles with the deeper rectangular normal isep rail and, Bargraph meter consoles, as sold, with a less deep penthouse isep rail. At some point, they may have supplied consoles with 2 Isep rails bolted together so that one could be detached to allow Bargraphs to be fitted, referring to Andy's (Sintechs) point.

I still have a rough layout here of some 48 way patchbay layouts involving ProTools etc that you may need so get back to me when you are ready for this. I can certainly help with planning and wiring your console looms to the studio via the patchbay. I have all the bits and this is easy for me (I have been designing patchbays involving minimum patchcords for decades). I just need to know how you work and will do so in the future so I can future proof it. Maybe give me a call or email.

Regards for now from Jim Lassen (email and phone number available on my website)

Subhumanrecords

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2013, 03:38:34 AM »
Hey Jim, glad you poked in. I did what andy suggested and moved rails forward and it worked pretty great. I got thru the spell I was in, thanks to andy and your support. I no you know what I'm talking about. But doing good and back at it full throttle. I'm definitely wanting your patchbays, I'll email cause I've added a few things I'm adding that I need your input on. Thanks Jim.

....M...
SSL LOVIN'
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sintech

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #12 on: June 04, 2013, 05:15:03 PM »
Meter PCB's modified, also found you eight spare Meter Ribbons (S23E) Jim may have more, but it'll do the first bucket :-)





Subhumanrecords

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #13 on: June 05, 2013, 05:20:35 PM »
Andy, if I haven't told you lately. You are the man my friend.
Thanks a million. I didn't even know that you got the pcbs yet.
My channels should be here any day hopefully. Still waiting on 2nd bucket from audioparlour.
Going to find dsubs this week to put on bucket.
Thanks dude. I owe you plenty, but you know I gotcha.

Myke.
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sintech

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Re: Building my mini SSL4k
« Reply #14 on: June 11, 2013, 05:12:59 PM »
Hey Myke, see the attached files regarding wiring the BICC connectors for Audio