Help need FAST! SSL 9000 J

[EddH]

I'm an assistant engineer at a studio, and maybe I should know this, but I'm doing a session next week where I'm going to need to know how to use the automation on an SSL J series.

Any tips/documents/advice/anything that you can throw my way would be much appreciated!

Also, John Rees, if you are reading this, how are ya?!

 

[greyskull]

Yikes! Nothing like jumping in at the deep end! Email jim at ssl for a manual, and ask on gearslutz too! Good luck mate!!

 

[C_F_H_13]

is there someone in the room right now? if not, get your ass in there and start F@ckin with it. The auto on a J is both way simpler and more complex (I know...total jibberish) then a 4000. Do you know the automation on a 4000? get yourself a manual (your studio should have one) and start reading. The biggest thing is just the menu's on the computer and labeling on mixes. I assume it's got motorized faders right? First thing I'd do is figure out how to disable them so it's strictly VCA automation. Alot of engineers hate motorized faders (at least around here) and that's the one thing few assistants think to know how to do.

1 tip I can give you is always make your first mix a total static rough mix. That way you can always go back to it if you f things up.

 

[Metaltastic]

Wait, how can you have automation if you don't have motorized faders, unless the faders are digital controls of the analog volume? (which I guess could very well be the case, SSL's are so far beyond anything I could hope to own or even work on so I don't have a clue about 'em...)

 

[DeathByDrums]

If your doing a protools session you have to send smpte out of protools (via sync io)into the ssl then you have to put pro tools online. There is a menu in the ssl that you have to also change (can't remember off the top of my head) That's the first part. The diff automation modes I don't remember too well , I can check one of my books.

 

[KeithTidd]

Wait, how can you have automation if you don't have motorized faders, unless the faders are digital controls of the analog volume? (which I guess could very well be the case, SSL's are so far beyond anything I could hope to own or even work on so I don't have a clue about 'em...)

They're VCA faders, the computer records the values of your movements.

I hope i never have to touch Console automation ever again. Thank god for pro tools.

 

[DeathByDrums]

Mixing on a 9000J > Mixing in the box

 

[C_F_H_13]

If your doing a protools session you have to send smpte out of protools (via sync io)into the ssl then you have to put pro tools online. There is a menu in the ssl that you have to also change (can't remember off the top of my head) That's the first part. The diff automation modes I don't remember too well , I can check one of my books.

Very good point. Although some ahem..."cheaper" studios actually keep a recorded track of smpte on the computer and just feed it to the SSL via an output(don't ask me why), so I'd say check with your studios tech as to the proper setup of sync.

It's been a long time since I've used a 9000j, but on 4000s there's basically 5 modes...right?

Absolute
Replay
Trim
Revise Cuts
Preview

Or am I totally wrong? Anyways, Worst case scenario search the web...there's gotta be a ton of stuff out there on 9000j automation

 

[DeathByDrums]

you don't need a recorded track of smpte. The sync I/O will generate code. You just get an xlr to bantam cable and patch into smpte read in the ssl from what I remember, it's been a few years since i've worked on a 9k.

 

[EddH]

Cheers for all the help!

I've used automation on a G before, and the J quite a lot, just not the automation, (all the in house guys are in the box, so no chance to learn until now), so I'm not a complete novice, just would like to know as much as possible before I get in there, and unfortunately there is limited time to get in before it happens!

I'm currently balls deep in manuals and forums etc. which is all fun....gotta love the deep end, it's for a pretty big session too, hence the added panic!

So I'm figuring you can use the J much like you can the G, but the main problem lies in how much more there is to offer and the way the menus are laid out etc.

 

[EddH]

Also, on a related note to the motorized faders, I know certain popular mixers, (sorry, I can't mention names, my job might be on the line!!), work with motors off and by setting all the faders at unity, as this gives them a reference point, rather than drawing all over the desk with a chinagraph.
I guess this is the point that C_F_H_13 was getting at?

 

[grywolf627]

...
I hope i never have to touch Console automation ever again. Thank god for pro tools.

Amen to that! Never enjoyed working with console automation.