Refurbishing my new SSL 6048 G+

[Artur D'Assumpção]

Hi guys,

First of all let me apologize for only making this post now, but I wanted to find the time to write a comprehensive post to you guys. I am in debt to you, so I hope the next weeks I can make up for my big flaw.

As some of you know I've bought recently an SSL 6048 G+ for the new mixing room I'm building. But first a bit of the back story...

This console took me 1 year to find, since I was looking for a pristine 6000 G or G+ and that isn't easy to find, specially on a 48 channel or bigger frame sizes, since these desks found its place mostly on broadcast studios and in smaller sizes. I had the help of my friend Mark Derksen, from Markant Studios, to find the perfect desk, decommission and now do refurbish and commission. He's one of the best in the field, and he's doing an amazing job. I'm very happy with him and his services.

After going through several consoles and lots of pain we've finally found this amazing SSL 6072 G+ from 1998 on a broadcast studio in Japan. It was in the hand of the 1st owner and it was in pristine condition and clinically maintained. Truly one of a kind console! I've been talking with many people about it and they've never saw a 6000 G+ ever, so you can have an idea of how rare these are... specially in a 72 channel size! 

Also the Japanese are from another world maintaining their consoles. I can almost imagine the mixer using a white smock handling the faders!   Suffice to say that this console was fully working, fully maintained and had all the extras. Here are some of the specs:

- VU meters
- VUs + ppm's on the center
- phasescope
- ultimation
- 292 eqs
- patchable vca's (extra faders)
- PSU japan specs (which are much more higher spec for reliability and low noise)
- it was "recently" fully recapped by SSL Japan.
- Packed with all of the latest G+ specs and features.

So the deal we made with the owner was to buy only 48 channels, 40 channels frame (we added the missing bucket later), and the owner kept the rest of the channels and frame. Here's a photo prior decommission a couple of months ago:



So the process took off and the console was decommissioned and shipped by boat to Holland where it is now, at Mark's studio.

The console was all took apart before shipping and is now being reconfigured, refurbished and serviced by Mark. Here's a list of what's been done so far:

- All modules were cleaned, recapped where needed, buttons and switches replaced where needed and cleaned.
- Channel frame was reconfigured to 48 channels and the center section placed at the center (only 40 frame was shipped, so an extra bucket was added at Mark's studio).
- Frame was cleaned and the metal treated. Also the main boards of the frame were cleaned and serviced.
- All panels were resprayed (side, back and top)
- Armrests were redone (the old ones were not in a good shape)
- Patch panel and wiring was also redone to accommodate the new configuration.
- all cosmetic work was done (new buttons where needed, all washed and cleaned, new fader caps, new fader covers, etc.)
- VU meters converted to LED illumination.

Mark will now be loading all channels next week and start working on the center section which will be fully recapped soon and ready to turn on everything since it was last shipped.

There a still a couple of weeks of work ahead and I'll keep you guys posted of what's being done. 

Here are some photos of the process so far, enjoy!

When everything was unloaded into the shop:






Some photos of the work on the channels and the cases were they were shipped. Awesome crew!






Time to work on the frame. The first things was to reconfigure the frame to have 3 buckets on left+center+3 buckets on the right:









Frame after being reconfigured:




Meters, trims, armrest, and panels were done:





Current status, finishing the patch panel work:




More to come soon!

Cheers,

Artur

[marcmozart]

what a "beautiful monster"!!! great work!

[Artur D'Assumpção]

Mark is doing an amazing work!

He's very meticulous, like yourself Marc, and does a very professional work. He has 25 years of experience on the field, broking and refurbish SSLs, Neves, APIs, Studers and he knows this consoles like very few know. Actually he was the one who designed the Neve Flying Faders. He's an exceptional electrical/electronics engineer.

I don't know if someone on this forum knows him or his work, but he sure should be on the short list call for anyone here who owns an SSL.

Cheers,

Artur

 

[sintech]

Totally amazing, love all the pics!!!!! keep the coming please

[pascal.verdet]

Hi Artur,

Nice work, I am waiting forward to more

Cheer,
Pascal

[sintech]

Arthur, are the PSU’s modified standard 661’s or the SSL Japan 661J with two 19Way connectors?

[Artur D'Assumpção]

Hi guys,

I'll keep them coming. Now you now why I haven't been so chatty here... my spare time is dedicated to finish this studio as quick as I can!

The PSUs are full Japan specs since this console was built to a Japanese client and sold directly by SSL Japan. I'll get back with details on this soon.

Cheers,

Artur

[Artur D'Assumpção]

Sintech,

I got that info for you.

It is a SL661J PSU which was specially for the Japanese.

This PSU can handle 56 channels (or even more). It has the change over unit build in and you can align the voltage at the front of the PSU.
On the back is has the 2 PSU connector to the desk.

Cheers,

Artur

[sintech]

Cool, I have the same 661J supply here. It's a total beast! I knew for sure it could do a 48, but a 56 on a single supply is amazing. It's a little higher pitched in noise than the standard. But, if you think this will replace 2 PSU's and a changeover.. it's a no brainier.

Also the biggest plus is not having to balance two supplies.

On set up, ended up having the mutimeter on the console end, and walked in to the machine room to tweak the front trimmers. When I measured from the PSU front, the voltages weren't as accurate when checking them at the destination.

Wondering if you have any info or schematics?

[Artur D'Assumpção]

I have the schematics for all of it. Not currently in hand, but I will have as soon as the console lands the studio.

I will copy them and share to the forum.

Regarding the PSUs, this console has 1 PSU for the channels, 1 PSU for the computer and 1 PSU for the console fader motors.

Cheers,

Artur

[Artur D'Assumpção]

Guys,

I am in need of your advice and second opinion.

This console brought a phase scope, but it's literally dead. It is an old version of the phase scope, the tube is toasted and it's missing the control card. This being said, I'm going "trash it" and replace it with other alternatives, since I can always "phase scope" the return on the DAW side if I need. Me and Mark have been discussing on the alternatives and installing some NTP meters could be one. What do you guys think? Do they worth it, or should I go for other option?

Installing PPMs are not quite an option, because plasma meters will require 250v wiring, control circuitry and power supply. And the plasmas are dying.

Would like to have your input and experience on this. Thanks guys!

Cheers,

Artur

[sintech]

Just to throw it in..

You could go 5k SSL LCD Bargraphs.



These use a few extra rails +5 and -20 which you can add with a simple 1Amp power supply.

SSL actually fitted these to 4k, 8k and 9k!

[Artur D'Assumpção]

Sintech,

Thanks! Perfect info! What do you think of them? From what I see there are several versions of these meters. Could you give me your insights about them? What can they provide?

Cheers,

Artur

[sintech]

Planning to have the usual mechanical VU's and Black PPM's, also, three LCD for LF, RF and Mono. If I can find it.. a phase.

This is because in practical use ..you need to balance a stereo signal perfectly post VCA faders, and you can't do this if your VU's are pinning (and some mixes.. you need to be this hot)

They have a simple control PCB, giving fast and slow PPM ballistics, peak hold, VU mode. Very sharp to the eye, within one bar accuracy.

Very cool meter.

[Artur D'Assumpção]

Yeah, I see where you're getting at. It makes perfect sense.

I currently have all those meters already on this console, so I might through in a few NTP meters to it.

What would be the best combination for a 6k? A NTP for stereo out and one per bus (A, B and C) ?

Cheers,

Artur