Sonosax/SSL

[Arpangel]

Just flicking through the Pink Noise catalogue, genuine question here, as you know, I’ve been looking for the ultimate small mixer for a long time, and not coming to any conclusions.
I’m interested in the difference in pice between the small Sonosax and the SSL Six, it’s about seven grand.
All I’m asking, is... what exactly is so different and beneficial about the Sonosax over the SSL that warrants the extra asking price.p, is the circuitry that much better?
The application? Local organ recordings by myself, my own piano recordings, that’s about it, in the current climate.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Gear is designed and built in Switzerland to the highest possible standards in all respects. That's why it costs what it does.

Its much the same difference as between a Nagra IV and a Zoom F8... They both get the job done, but one has a lot more more style, is nice to use, and sounds a bit more special

Sonosax makes beautiful equipment, built to last, but it's almost impossible to justify unless your living depends on it and you can send out big invoices on a regular basis!

[Arpangel]

The sonosax is designed and built in Switzerland to the highest possible standards.

Its much the same difference as between a Nagra IV and a Zoom F8...

Sonosax makes beautiful equipment, built to last, but almost impossible to justify unless your living depends on it and you can send out big invoices!

Point taken Hugh, just wondered what it sounds like!

[Hugh Robjohns]

Georgeous...

[Arpangel]

Georgeous...

I’m taking that as ultimately transparent? Could be a great mixer for our piano and marimba, along with the MKH's plugged in.

PS...

https://www.pinknoise-systems.co.uk/sonosax-sx-es64-6-channel-mixer.html

[Hugh Robjohns]

Yes, absolutely. Just what you need. You should definitely buy one.

[Arpangel]

Yes, absolutely. Just what you need. You should definitely buy one.

Not exactly an impulse purchase Hugh! But why not? things aren’t getting any better and I can’t see a reason not to push the boat out.
Trouble is right now, who’s going to play the Marimba?

[John Willett]

Sonosax is the very best of the very best - it has no equal.

There are no compromises - just the very best and priced that way because that's what it costs to make the best.

[Arpangel]

Sonosax is the very best of the very best - it has no equal.

There are no compromises - just the very best and priced that way because that's what it costs to make the best.

Hi John! Yes, it would be great to have one, for our duo, but my Marimba man and my partner are both too scared to have sessions anymore, the way COVID is affecting music for me is becoming very disturbing, as it is for a lot of us.
I’d have an £8,000 mixer great, but it would be sitting there unused.

[Arpangel]

I must admit, this looks absolutely spiffing, 8 busses, 4 sends, and very flexible routing, take a look at the spec and features, incredible.

https://www.sonosax.ch/product/sx-st/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPGyNnzhVao

[Hugh Robjohns]

It really is absolutely spiffing... And so it should be for the money!

I fear you haven't looked at the prices yet...

The basic eight-module frame (there is nothing smaller) and PSU is £7,000

You then need to populate it with input modules (the master and monitor modules come with the frame)

A stereo line input module will set you back £1,300 while a mono mic/line channel is £1,200.

So building an eight module desk will set you back between £16,600 and £17,400.

That leaves one module space which can be covered with a blanking plate (£40) but is typically used for an integrated eight-track digital recorder module (records onto memory cards) which will set you back another £5,200...

You certainly do get a lot of analogue loveliness and functionality in a small space... but for that money the alternative options are very wide!

[Luke W]

Wow, that price list really is something!

[Hugh Robjohns]

Swiss built...

[Arpangel]

Swiss built...

Crazy, not really an option, I’d have major trouble explaining that delivery, and the disappearance of my car in the garage.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Not to mention the scar where your left kidney was...

But it really is a very lovely thing.... and for the kind of money Stuart (deservedly) gets from his big films, perfectly justifiable. But not for mere mortals recording a half broken piano in a living room...

[Arpangel]

But not for mere mortals recording a half broken piano in a living room...

Hugh, since when has that been an issue? Sometimes in life you just have to go for it, think of it like this, buying the Sonosax might galvanise me into getting the piano repaired, sort of the cart before the horse approach.
Anyway, the piano was all right for that BBC recording, but the Beeb did get a call the next day from someone called Mr Angry from the Home Counties complaining that the piano was half broken, and the mixer used was obviously not up to scratch, and how could they have possibly broadcast such a travesty?
Don’t worry, my wallet remains closed, my god, I could get an original ARP2600 for that sort of money.

[Hugh Robjohns]

[CS70]

There's a simple checklist before purchasing:

- are the faucets in your bathroom plated in gold? No buy
- are the faucets in your bathroom *made* of gold? Maybe buy
- do you have more than one bathroom? Buy

Alternatively, your name starting with Sheik and ending with <bin something> helps.

[Arpangel]

There's a simple checklist before purchasing:

- are the faucets in your bathroom plated in gold? No buy
- are the faucets in your bathroom *made* of gold? Maybe buy
- do you have more than one bathroom? Buy

Alternatively, your name starting with Sheik and ending with <bin something> helps.

Well, there you go, we actually have "three" bathrooms, so that’s that decided then.
I’ll have to look elsewhere, for something of a slightly better quality, I feel another thread coming on..."what’s the best mixer over fifty grand? suitable for use in a damp basement with dodgy electrics and half broken piano?"

[CS70]

Well, there you go, we actually have "three" bathrooms

All with faucets made of gold?

Then zero problems

Meanwhile, I'm gonna look for these Arab relatives from the times of the first crusade....