Barcelona-based Music Venue Sala Salamandra Acquires Solid State Logic Live L200 Plus Console for FOH

SSL Live: Open configuration, flexible routing

Batallé and the staff chose SSL’s Live console not only for its features but also its flexibility and configurability, he continues. In particular, the console can be quickly and easily set up to suit the engineer. “The open configuration of the surface and the processing allows everyone to create a customised startup session adapted to their workflow, and to be able to work quickly during soundcheck and the concert, which is a must. To the technicians on tour, once we see what their workflow is like, we suggest and implement ways of working that help them optimise their time,” he says.

The open architecture of SSL’s Live mixing console offers many possibilities, he continues. “You can decide in your own way the order of the audio chain in each path. You can send stems to auxiliaries or to other stems. You can chain different plug-ins into a single insert and listen to the solo signals at the point in the chain that you want. You can do almost anything you can think of in terms of the way that you want to work.”

Powerful on-board processing capabilities

In-house and touring engineers make the most of the L200’s on-board processing, he says. “Especially the Effects Rack, which obviously everyone uses. We typically use the SSL Bus Compressor on the master output, and the dynamic EQ, multiband compressor, de-esser and Sourcerer on vocals, as multi-band dynamic controls and as a noise gate.”

Most recently, artists including PiL, Buzzcocks and Napalm Death have performed at Sala Salamandra, which has also hosted international touring acts such as Michael Schenker, Phill Campbell and the Bastard Sons, Manu Chao, Black Flag, Combichrist and Brutus. Local, regional and national bands such as Angelus Apatrida, Smoking Souls, Veintiuno, Morgan, Ginebras, Def Con Dos, La Fuga and Ilegales have also played at the venue. Salamandra additionally houses a recording studio and offers space for tour pre-production, training, live concert sound and video recording, and more.

Several artists have already recorded their shows through the new Live console, Batallé reports: “We use the L200’s built-in Dante interface.” The venue’s console is integrated with an SSL ML32.32 analogue stagebox at the stage.

The installation has allowed Salamandra to become an ambassador for SSL’s Live console platform. “Many Spanish engineers really want to get to know the SSL Live console. They are surprised how easily it works. We held an initial training session so that engineers could familiarise themselves with the console in a clear, easy and fast way. So far everyone is very happy with how easy it is to handle and how good it sounds.” In fact, he says, when the venue’s technical staff first heard the Live console, “We were surprised by the awesome sound!”