In a world filled with computers replacing the desk and shelf space of mixing consoles and recorders, there have been a number of solutions over the years to address the tactile connection to the audio that mixers and sound engineers require. Avid has rolled out a number of controllers over the years and other audio manufacturers have followed suit.

Solid State Logic (SSL) is one of the industry’s premiere console makers, seen in the finest recording studios across the planet. Understanding the need for a hybrid that can control the software as well as offer top audio hardware such as microphone pre-amps and a great sounding monitor section, SSL created Nucleus.

Nucleus is a hardware controller that integrates with all of the major audio software programs, in fact it offers control over three separate digital audio workstations (DAWs) simultaneously, connected via ethernet. It also includes a USB hub of four additional ports, making it an integral part of a studio set-up. A definable set of keystrokes, buttons and knobs allows users to create set-ups to their own particular workflow and an included SD card slot allows for saving of mixing snapshots for instant recall later.

It is a compact, desktop unit that offers full transport controls, 16 touch sensitive faders, solo and muting buttons, bank/channel/layer buttons as well as LCD scribble strips. The heart of the audio is SSL’s Super Analogue signal path with +4dBu & -10dBV connections, a high quality 2+2 channel USB audio interface providing record and playback paths for your DAW as well as an amazing sounding monitor section.

Included in the package is SSL’s Duende Native Essentials Bundle software emulations. Duende is a powerhouse itself, used as plug-ins for DAWs. This bundle includes the classic SSL Console Channel Strip with 4 band parametric EQ, Compressor/Expander/Gate, High Pass and Low Pass filters. Also included is the classic SSL Stereo Bus Compressor from the 1980’s G Series analogue console. Not inexpensive by any means at $5500, however the solid build, professional components, SSL hardware and Duende software make it a tempting piece of gear for any project studio.

PVC at AES 2014 – SSL from ProVideo Coalition on Vimeo.