Solid State Logic Oracle
Future Analogue Mixing Console
The Studio Revolution
Solid State Logic proudly introduces Oracle, a fully analogue in-line mixing console that delivers large-format capability within a compact AWS-sized footprint, while providing instant, effortless, and complete recall of all processing, routing, gain, and pan settings through the new ActiveAnalogue™ technology. With the ability to switch immediately between mixing and tracking configurations, and to reconfigure session workflows faster than an artist can change tracks, Oracle’s ActiveAnalogue™ technology dramatically increases studio throughput while preserving the authentic analogue sound character that artists and producers demand.
Luke Aziz, SSL Studio Specialist, takes you on a guided tour of Oracle. Built around a pure analogue signal path and powered by ultra-high-performance, recallable Active Analogue™ electronics housed in remote 13U processing racks, Oracle lets you switch seamlessly between tracking, production, and mixing setups.
Revolutionary ActiveAnalogue™ Technology
Oracle – An ActiveAnalogue™ console:
- Large format, small footprint, in-line console with up to 112 inputs at mixdown.
- 4 stereo mix busses, 16 track busses, 10 aux busses, 8 stereo Flex groups.
- Available with 24 or 48 mono in-line channels.
- Iconic SSL analogue circuitry controlled with new ActiveAnalogue™ technology.
- Next generation PureDrive microphone preamplifiers with Drive control.
- Legendary SSL 4 band parametric EQ with switchable E Series and G Series curves.
- Integrated THE BUS+ and Dynamic EQ processors.
- Flexible channel architecture supporting tracking, overdubbing, and mixing with Oracle.
- Small and large fader paths with assignable EQ, high pass filter, and insert point.
- Flexible monitoring providing multiple stereo and immersive mix options.
- VU or Plasma style metering with dynamic Detail View.
- Advanced DAW control with SSL 360 integration.
- SSL Dynamic Automation System.
- O-Control App providing an offline tool for session preparation and console configuration.
- 13U 19” rack or racks house all analogue circuitry and can be located remotely, within the control room, or under the console.
A New SSL Sonic Signature
Future Analogue Channel Strip
Positioned at the top of Oracle’s channel strip are next generation PureDrive microphone preamplifiers with dedicated Drive control, providing up to 75 dB of gain and access to a wide range of tonal character.
At the core of every Oracle channel sits one of the most trusted tools in professional mixing, the iconic 242 Black Knob E Series EQ. This four band parametric equaliser features switchable sonic behaviour, allowing seamless selection between the constant Q, more assertive character of the E Series and the variable Q, smoother response of the G Series. Both modes include a dedicated high pass filter, selectable high and low frequency shelf or bell curves, and fully parametric mid bands, delivering the unmistakable tonal identity that defines SSL’s equaliser heritage.
EQ assignment between the Small Fader and Large Fader paths can be changed instantly. For stereo sources, processing can be linked across odd and even channel pairs, allowing control from a single set of parameters. Each signal path includes an independent, switchable, and repositionable insert point, along with its own direct output for routing individual tracks or stems directly to the DAW.
Beyond the clear physical labelling on the console surface, activating Channel Detail View presents a comprehensive overview of all channel parameters and routing on the associated meter display, covering both Small and Large Fader paths. These Detail View displays work in conjunction with the per bay Navigator control, enabling intuitive scroll and control access to every parameter, switch function, and signal routing option.
Centre Section
Oracle’s centre section acts as mission control, delivering clear visual feedback and hands on control of the console’s core functions. All main, track, and aux bus controls, along with foldback levels and routing, are accessed through high resolution displays and precision encoders.
Detail Views extend beyond channel processing to include comprehensive views for all centre section processing. When a centre section Detail View is engaged, these displays intelligently scale the main meters so output bus metering remains visible at all times. The resulting screens highlight the depth and capability of Oracle’s centre section processing, bringing complex control and monitoring into a focused, intuitive workspace.
Bus Architecture
Oracle’s bus architecture introduces a high level of flexibility, with a total of 34 mix busses available to every channel. These are organised as 16 track busses, 10 aux busses, and four stereo mix busses comprising Main A and B, plus C and D.
The 10 aux busses can operate as individual mono busses or be paired to form up to five stereo aux busses, making them well suited to foldback sub mixes, mono or stereo stems, and effects sends. Each channel path can route independently or simultaneously to any combination of these busses, enabling the creation of separate stem outputs or parallel mixes for independent processing before final summing to the Main A bus.
Integrated THE BUS+, Dynamic EQ, and more
THE BUS+ is a modern classic that carries the glue and punch of the G Series compressor forward into a contemporary workflow. It offers four modes of operation, including Low THD, Feedback, and 4K Saturation modes, alongside highly regarded analogue processing tools such as Dynamic EQ, Transient Expander, and more. Integrated directly into Oracle, THE BUS+ greatly expands the console’s sonic flexibility and is fully recallable through ActiveAnalogue™ technology, ensuring consistent results with no interruption to the creative process.
Control Room Monitoring & Foldback
Oracle’s monitoring system follows the established SSL tradition, supporting a main monitor path alongside four alternative stereo monitor sections. The fourth alternative monitor can be configured as a subwoofer or LFE output with integrated bass management. Remote Monitor Control enables direct operation of third party immersive processors, including Dolby Atmos, making Oracle well suited to hybrid immersive production environments.
The system also provides three independent foldback feeds, a headphone output on the console surface, and four stereo external source inputs, one of which is located on the console surface and suitable for direct connection of an instrument or a third party Bluetooth receiver.
Eight Stereo Group Inputs
Mid/Side Encoder
M/S encoding prior to the Stereo Group Insert allows independent processing of mid or side signals, while a selectable MS Decode circuit—located after the insert return—can decode mid/side signals into stereo group channels. The Stereo Group Inputs can each route to any of the console’s four main Mix Busses, Track Busses, and also access any of the 10 Aux Busses.
Classic VU or Plasma Style Metering
16 Track and 10 Aux busses
Oracle features a wealth of Track and Aux Busses, with uniquely flexible features. 10 Aux Busses can be individually configured as either mono or stereo. Oracle’s 16 Track Busses can be routed from both large or small fader channel paths. This routing can either be in mono or follow the channel to mix bus panning in odd/even track bus pairs to create stereo group mixes.
Handle the Largest Projects
For the largest mix sessions, Oracle combines mix paths from both record and monitor faders with independent path inserts and direct outputs, allowing complex routing and parallel processing with ease. With multiple parallel sub and stem mixes available from the four main busses, ten aux busses, sixteen track busses, and the 24 channel processing rack, Oracle can mix up to 48 paths, including 16 stereo sub mixes and a main stereo bus, all under fader control. Adding a second 24 channel in line processing rack doubles the available channel processing, expanding the system to support up to 96 mix paths.
Advanced DAW Control
O-Control Application
O-Control Application suite is a cross-platform (Win & OSx) suite of control, configuration, and session management applications for Oracle. The application(s) can run stand-alone/off-line, and in this way, they can be used as tools to edit/update/create project information from or for Oracle consoles. The application can also run in tandem with the console, to help with session configuration and management, such as saving/loading presets, snapshots and projects.
- O-Setup: Manages the console settings.
- O-Session: Manages the saving/loading of Projects, Presets, Snapshots as well as control and inspection of console processing sections.
- O-View: Shows an ‘overview’ of the console.
Immersive Production
Templates
Oracle Rack
A typical Oracle system is configured with two processing racks. These racks can be positioned remotely from the console surface, floor mounted, or installed in standard rack mounting, either within the control room or in a separate machine room. One rack is dedicated to centre section processing, while the second rack houses the channel processing. Depending on the system specification, one or two channel racks may be used, resulting in a total system configuration of two or three racks comprising the centre rack plus channel rack or racks. The racks are actively cooled and engineered to maintain an acoustic noise floor below NR25.