82BSRP01A Live Recorder Quickstart Guide

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Live-Recorder. This is SSL.

Live-Recorder Quickstart Guide

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 2

1. Introduction 3

Safety and Installation Considerations 3

How to use this manual 4

2. The Really Quick Start Guide 5

Before you Unpack, Connect and Power-Up 5

Use Rails for Rackmount, or ground the device safely. 5

Don't use a standard/conventional Spinning Hard Drive 5

SSL Live-Recorder in 10 Minutes: Prepare, Record, Transfer 6

1 Prepare a Project 6

2 Prepare your Recording 7

3 Record 8

4 Examine your recording 8

5 Save your work and Export to ProtoolsTM 10

Nine Tips before you hit the road... 11

3. Backup and Restore 13

Restoring a Factory Image 13

Using the LifeSaver Option: 15

4. SSL Soundscape Software Installation 17

Important Preparations 17

Compatible SSL Audio Cards 18

Installing from Web Download 18

Main Installation Procedure 19

Installing/Updating MX4 or MadiXtreme Drivers 21

5. Becoming an Expert: What and where to read next 22

Customizing Factory Templates: Meet the Mixer 22

Before, During and After the Show 22

Saving Projects and Exporting to other DAW's 22

6. Support 23

Getting Support and Further Helpful Reading 23

If possible, please do not print this manual.

Document History:

August 2012 82BSRP01A Initial Release

Page 2 Live-Recorder Operating Manual

1. Introduction

Welcome to SSL Live-Recorder, the High Performance on-the-road tracking solution from SSL.

Ultra reliable 128 channel simultaneous recording/playback with optional SSL DSP plug-ins, up to 128 channel MADI I/O and

advanced recording and workflow paired with the pristine audio quality you expect from any SSL product.

Should you ever need assistance in setting up or using your sound card, Solid State Logic’s website contains extensive FAQ

section: http://www.solidstatelogic.com/support/

Please register your SSL Live-Recorder, audio card and Soundscape Software on our website. This will ensure that you receive

notifications of future software and driver upgrades and other important information, and that your guarantee is registered.

Registration will also make you eligible for technical support. Visit us at: www.solidstatelogic.com

The SSL Live-Recorder, Soundscape DAW and MadiXtreme and MX4 cards, used in combination with our XLogic Alpha-Link

audio converter products, provide a flexible, professional quality, high channel count audio solution for PC based audio

recording, editing and mixing.

SAFETY AND INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

Warning: your Live-Recorder warranty will be void if the unit is opened or serviced without prior permission of SSL.

General Safety

• Read these instructions.

• Keep these instructions.

• Heed all warnings.

• Follow all instructions.

• Do not use this apparatus near water.

• Do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in

accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators,

heat registers, stoves or other apparatus (including

amplifiers) that produce heat.

• There are no user-adjustments, or user-serviceable

items, on this apparatus.

• Adjustments or alterations to this apparatus may affect

the performance such that safety and/or international

compliance standards may no longer be met.

Caution

• To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not perform any

servicing other than that contained in these Installation

Instructions unless you are qualified to do so. Refer all

servicing to qualified service personnel.

Installation Notes

• When installing this apparatus, place the host system

into which it is to be installed on a secure level surface.

• To prevent damage from static electricity when

installing this apparatus, either to the host system or to

this apparatus, always take proper anti-static

precautions. Always use an anti-static wristband. If in

doubt, please refer to qualified service personnel.

• Take care of rough or sharp edges when accessing the

inside of the host system.

• Never install or remove this apparatus whilst the host

system is powered. Always remove the power cord

from the host system prior to accessing this apparatus.

• If in doubt about installing this apparatus, please refer

to qualified service personnel.

Live-Recorder Operating Manual Page 3

Page 4 Live-Recorder Operating Manual

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

The SSL Live-Recorder and Soundscape product range has been designed from the ground up to be easy to use. If you are

familiar with the Windows environment, connecting PC's and installing PCIe cards and the basics of recording and playing back

digital audio, you could probably just set the system up and feel comfortable running a session within an hour.

However, both the SSL Hard- and Software offer a wealth of powerful and helpful features that you will only discover quickly

by reading this manual and further information, like the Soundscape User Guide.

It is therefore advisable, at some point, to read it from cover to cover.

For example, Soundscape offers a wealth of precise Audio Editing Tools and the Mixer is fully configurable, and while you may

find it simple to edit your recordings with simple tools you are familiar with from other DAW‘s and a few ready-made Mixers

initially serve your needs, to really harness the power of Soundscape, read Chapter 4 of the Soundscape 6.2 User Guide as

soon as you can.

Please make sure you understand the Master Clock and Sample Rate concepts and that you understand the software’s

hardware settings. It is also a good idea to have the system switched on while you read the manual, so that you can

experiment with the features you read about.

We trust that you will soon feel confident creating and using your own Projects. However, even when it has become second

nature, the comprehensive Table of Contents (located at the beginning) and the search function in your PDF reader software

will provide convenient ways to check specific information whenever you need it.

Supported Hardware

SSL Live-Recorder supports the MX4, MadiXtreme 64 and MadiXtreme 128 audio cards. The functionality of these cards is

similar although their specifications vary. The information in this manual relates to both cards. Differences are pointed out

where necessary.

Key commands and key combinations

Some Software functions can be accessed through the use of computer keyboard keys or key combinations, as well as by

using a mouse or other input device. In this manual computer keys will be shown between square brackets. For example, the

key for the letter ‘E’ will be written: [E]. Key combinations will be written using ‘+’ signs. For example, pressing the ‘D’ key while

holding the ‘Control’ key will be written as [Ctrl]+[D].

Label Indication

As a general rule, on-screen labels are shown in bold in this manual.

Menus

Where appropriate, to indicate a ‘path’ under one of the main menus, the following format will be used: Header / Submenu

1/ Submenu 2 / Item.

Screenshots

The appearance of the Soundscape software on your computer screen may be different from the screenshots in this manual.

2. The Really Quick Start Guide

The aim of this Chapter is to familiarize with Live-Recorder’s basic operation and prepare you to successfully master your first

"real" Recording.

SSL Live-Recorder is a 128 Track Recorder and/or Player, which can include a full SSL Digital Console on DSP's. It is also

highly transportable, requiring rack space of only 1U.

We want to get you started in 10 Minutes and hopefully motivate you to dive in deeper and discover the wealth of useful

features we have packed into this simple looking black box.

BEFORE YOU UNPACK, CONNECT AND POWER-UP

We are sure you know how to unpack your Live-Recorder and connect Mouse, Keyboard, Screen and Power. However, there

are a couple of things we would like to tell you before this:

Use Rails for Rackmount, or ground the device safely.

Live-Recorders sleek 1U Rack is light and relatively small. However, it is too deep to be mounted with only the rack ears on

the front. It therefore comes with Slide Rails that should fit to most Racks. If it doesn't fit, either get Support Rails for your

Rack or Transport Case, or mount Live-Recorder on the bottom of a Rack where the floor of the Rack provides firm support.

IMPORTANT: If you only mount Live-Recorder with the rack ears, the chassis may bend and break the delicate

technology inside.

Don't use a standard/conventional Spinning Hard Drive

Live-Recorder is built for SSD use only! (SSD*=Solid State Drive). *As much as we would like and the name may suggest, Solid

State Logic has no stake, patent or any relation to Solid State Disk technologies;-)

The Airflow inside the thin Chassis is simply not sufficient for conventional

spinning drives, which get considerably hotter than SSD's.

Also, since SSD's do not have any magnetic or moving parts, they cannot be

destroyed by strong vibrations or magnetic fields from the PA, or the sudden

impulse of a great pyrotechnic show...

HINT: You can buy additional "SSL RecPak" options (SSD's in fast mount tray's,

RAID prepared) to add recording time.

Live-Recorder Operating Manual Page 5

SSL LIVE-RECORDER IN 10 MINUTES: PREPARE, RECORD, TRANSFER

1 Prepare a Project

a. Open the Arrangement Template

Make sure the Soundscape Software is in focus/active Program and click on File /

Open Arr... . Using the standard file navigation window which appears, locate the

C:/Soundscape/Live-Recorder folder and click on Live Recorder Default.arr.

b. Open a Mixer Template

Now go to File / Open Mix, locate the C:/Soundscape/Live-Recorder folder, choose

the MadiXtreme 64 folder (or Madixtreme 128 or MX4, depending on your SSL

Hardware choice) and click on either 64 Ins -to- 64 Outs.mix or 128 Ins -to- 128

Outs.mix .

c. Create a Recording Folder

Now navigate to the File Manager on the right. (if you can't see the File Manager,

press [D]).

Navigate to the drive you want to record to, and create a new folder in the File

Manager by right-clicking in the empty space of the List View and selecting Create

Folder.

Right-click on this folder and select Mark as Record /

Process Folder, so that Soundscape knows where to

store recorded Takes.

d. Save your Session

Go to File / Save Arr as, navigate to the folder you just created, give the Arrangement

a name, and click OK.

Now go to File / Save Mix as, navigate to the folder you just created, give the Mixer

a name and click OK.

Page 6 Live-Recorder Operating Manual

2Prepare your Recording

a. Changing Mixer Column Names

In Mixer Control mode (see right), double-click in the field at the bottom of the Mixer

Column to open a Column Name dialogue box

You can now name the Columns – In the example below, we have called Column 1 Quick Start. The Mixer should look similar

to the one shown:

b. Ready the Record Tracks

Record tracks 1 to 64 (or to 128) will also be shown in the Arrange window, with dimmed track arming buttons. These buttons

are linked to the buttons on the track insert elements of mixer columns. Click on the Dots with your left mouse button so that

they appear ‘pushed in’ and ‘record ready’ (if Record Tracks are a stereo pair, clicking on either dot will activate both record

tracks).

Alternatively, you can arm and disarm multiple tracks simultaneously using your keyboard Number Pad: Type the first and

last track number, separated by [-], then press [*] to record arm all selected tracks, or [/] to disarm them. To arm or disarm

all tracks, press [*] or [/] without specifying a track range. For example:

1-128* will arm tracks 1 to 128;

65-128/ will disarm tracks 65 to 128;

* will arm all tracks.

NOTE: Check the maximum recording time setting in File / Settings /Record and Playback Setup, and make sure it suits

your needs. 0means NO limit.

Reminder:

Press Eor click on the

button indicated to move

between Mixer Control

and Mix Edit mode. Mode

is displayed in mouse

cursor and edit button.

Live-Recorder Operating Manual Page 7

Page 8 Live-Recorder Operating Manual

3Record

Activate the sound source connected to input 1 of your SSL I/O hardware and click the Record button in the Tape Transport

to start recording (or use the [+] key on your computer’s numerical keypad).

Soundscape will create a temporary Part (shaded), and will record from the current play position until you press Stop on the

Tape Transport (or the [Down Arrow] key on your computer keyboard).

When recording starts, the Time Axis will appear shaded in the recording range, and the track arming buttons will turn red.

The new Takes will automatically be named after the corresponding mixer column, with an ‘L’ or ‘R’ appended for stereo

tracks.

For more information about recording, please see the Record / Playback Setup section of the main Soundscape manual.

4 Examine your recording

When recording is stopped, the recorded areas, known as Parts, will turn to solid colours and waveforms will be displayed.

These Parts can be moved, copied, cut, trimmed, faded, etc., without altering the original Take stored on the Disk.

a. View your Waveforms

Let’s have a look at the waveform of the audio you recorded:

Hit the [Z] key on your computer keyboard and the mouse pointer will change to a

magnifying glass. If you draw a selection box, Soundscape will zoom to display

that selection. You should see a waveform similar to that shown below-right.

Select the Solo tool ( ) from the Toolbar and click anywhere on the waveform.

The audio will play from wherever you click.

Zoom back out to full screen (hit [Z] twice to get to the previous view).

NOTE: Hitting the [Z] key twice will zoom and position to the previous View

(Soundscape remembers the last 8 Views). Hitting the [Z] key twice while

holding the [Shift] key will zoom and position to the next view. This view history

allows extremely fast navigation between detailed sample view and project

overview.

Live-Recorder Operating Manual Page 9

b. Click and Drag - how the Tools work

Select the Copy tool ( ), then ‘click and drag’ the Part you have recorded to

copy it to a new position in the Arrange window.

Release the mouse button to drop the copy at the chosen location. If the Snap

function is inactive, you will be able to copy the Part anywhere in the Arrange

window. If the Snap function is active the copied Part will ‘jump’ to the nearest

snap point, according to the selected snap value.

To name the Part, select the Info tool ( ) and click the Part you want to rename.

You can type in a new name using the Part Info window which appears (shown

right). There are many other details you can also alter from within this window, as

described in the Editing Tools section of the main User Guide.

After typing the new Part name, click OK to return to the Arrange window.

For more information about Soundscape editing tools, please see the Editing

Tools section of the main Soundscape manual.

Page 10 Live-Recorder Operating Manual

5Save your work and Export to ProtoolsTM

To save an Arrangement in a third-party project format, select File / Save ARR and

Pro-Convert to... and browse to the desired folder.

Then define a name, choose Pro-Tools v7+ (*.pts) file type, and press Save.

This will first save the currently active Arrangement and then create a new Pro-Tools

Session with standard conversion settings, the same name in the same folder.

Alternatively, if the file you wish to convert is not open, right-click on any supported

Project in the File Manager, select Pro-Convert to from the menu which appears, and

select the format in the subsequent sub-menu. This will create a new third-party

project file in the same folder.

With either method, a progress and logging window will be displayed during the conversion, similar to that shown below:

HINT: With File | Save ARR and Pro-Convert, the full SSL Pro-Convert Window will open, where all conversion settings

can be changed to match personal requirements.

For more information about Pro-Convert, please see the Project Conversion section of the main Soundscape manual.

Live-Recorder Operating Manual Page 11

NINE TIPS BEFORE YOU HIT THE ROAD...

1. Your personal defaults: Be prepared

On Tour Life is full of surprises. It is therefore a good idea, if possible, to prepare things that are known in advance, such as

default Mixer Files, Mono and Stereo track configuration, etc. If it's a festival with changing setups, it may be a good idea to

prepare all of these for each session.

2. MADI 101: Know how to connect to the Stagebox, FOH or Direct Outs

MadiXtreme and MX4 Cards connect through MADI optical to the outside world. While this is an industry wide standard that

SSL has helped to create back in the early 90’s, many Live Consoles and Routing Devices only speak Coaxial MADI (with BNC

not fibre optical Connectors).

In order to connect coaxial MADI, you can purchase a helpful little MADI-COAX adapter box from SSL:

http://www.solidstatelogic.com/music/xlogic%20madi%20opti%2Dcoax/

Note that coaxial MADI should only bridge short distances, while optical MADI can span over 2km.

MADI comes in different Modes, such as 56 Channels or 64 Channels, with Legacy/48k Frame Pattern or Hi-Speed/96k Frame

Pattern...and to add to the confusion, many things are called differently by various manufacturers...

For more information about MADI configuration within Soundscape, please see the I/O Mode section of the main

Soundscape manual.

3. Minimizing Risks: Clean Power guaranteed*

On the road, the quality of power lines isn’t likely to be great. UPS Systems (Uninterrupted Power Supply) can provide

sensitive devices such as Live-Recorder and ADDA Converters with clean, transformer-separated power, as well as some

30mins to 2h of battery-backed power for your recording system, in the worst case scenario.

4. Toolbox: Don't leave home without spares

List of recommended Spares (but not limited to):

• Spare SSD Drives in Carriers, prepared and RAID 1 formatted (such as SSL RecPacks)

• Spare optical MADI Cable

• USB Backup Drive

• 2nd Monitor, mouse and keyboard, probably all smaller than Main -spare batteries (for wireless Mouse/Keyboard)

• Spare UPS

• Spare Coffee or Tea, for long nights

5. Boring, but...: Backup, Backup, Backup

RAID was designed as a first safety parachute...if one drive dies, the other drive(s) can take over. However, since you never

know whats might happen, it is wise to store/backup all your valuable recordings to an external hard drive. To connect an

external hard drive to your Live-Recorder, there are a variety of connections available such as USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and eSATA.

So, don't forget: Before you go to bed make sure you have started to copy to a backup;-)

Page 12 Live-Recorder Operating Manual

6. For Bonus Miles Collectors: Choosing the right Transport Case

Live-Recorder is a computer. You may also have a couple of SSL Alpha Link Converters you would like to have with you and

probably a 19" Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor Tray...all sensitive devices.

There are a couple of flight case/ transport case manufacturers that deliver very robust, yet not too heavy transport solutions,

that may also survive rough and tough Airport Handling...

Just make sure to not make a single case too heavy, so that handling is easier, you protect your own back, and carriers may

handle it with more love.

For Live-Recorder it is most important that its weight is equally distributed. Standard length slide rails are supplied with your

Live-Recorder, although depending on the case used, you might need special side-rails to mount the Live-Recorder properly.

7. Know your enemies: Heat, Moisture and Dust

Heat: Live-Recorder has limited Airflow capabilities, due to the small fans and limited noise emissions we wanted to allow.

The operating temperature range for the Live-Recorder is 10°C/50F to 35°C/95F.

Moisture: Obviously, Rain and high Moisture environments can be disastrous for sensitive Recording Technology. If your

Live-Recorder comes into contact with liquids, immediately disconnect the power and let the box dry fully. Take out all drives

and make a backup of recorded data before re-powering the dried system.

Dust: Extreme dust particles, Animal Hair and other natural "dirt" are not great for Air Venting "holes"... So make sure your

Live-Recorder can always breathe.

8. Recording is a tough Job: "recycle" SSD's early enough

Despite the fact that the used SSD’s do have a MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure) of over 1mio hours, this number is still a

statistical value. To be on the safe side, we recommend that you replace your Live-Recorder RecPaks early enough, before

the SSD's might fail. If used regularly, once a year sounds like a good recommendation; Definitely whenever anything strange

is happening, ie. files cannot be opened, Live-Recorder stops recording, etc.

You can "retire" fully functional SSD's in Office Laptops and Desktops, where they can "relax" and live for many years and

even make older Computers blazingly fast.

9. Don't Panic: What if...

...something isn’t working properly?

A quick checklist:

• SSD Caddies properly inserted?

• MADI IN connected to MADI OUT and vice versa?

• MADI MODE the same in Soundscape Software and external Device/Console?

• Right Mixer File loaded?

• FOH Engineer already awake?

...and of course, you can check the FAQ'S here: http://www.solidstatelogic.com/support/Soundscape/faq.asp

Live-Recorder Operating Manual Page 13

3. Backup and Restore

This chapter outlines what to do if, for any reason, you need to restore a backed-up session, or even Live-Recorder’s factory

image.

Of course, we strongly recommend that you create regular back ups of your sessions.

RESTORING A FACTORY IMAGE

1. Before proceeding with the factory image restore, please make sure to backup all personal data present on the OS drive.

2. Reboot or start the Live-Recorder and press [F8] until the Advanced Boot Options screen pops up. Select Repair Your

Computer.

3. Windows will start loading files. After some time, the System Recovery Options window will appear. In the first screen use

the Select a keyboard input method drop-down menu to choose the language of your keyboard, and click Next.

4. In the next screen, leave the log-in as XI-USER and click OK. No password is required, unless you added one yourself using

the Windows Control Panel User Accounts.

5. In the following screen, titled Choose a recovery tool, select System Image Recovery.

Page 14 Live-Recorder Operating Manual

6. The next dialogue allows you to select a system image.

• If you have not created an image yourself, or if you have created an image yourself and want to load it, select Use the latest

available system image and click next.

• If you have created an image yourself, but want to load the factory default (clean image with no drivers or software

installed), select Select a system image and click next.

7. If you opted to choose an image, the next screen will list all available images. The Factory Default will always be the oldest

image!

Confirm the image to be restored and click next.

8. In the Choose additional restore options dialogue, you can exclude disks. If this button is not greyed out, select it and

check the drives you want to exclude as possible destination drives for the image restore. By default, the LIVERECORDER

will not have this option available.

9. In the Re-image your computer window which appears, click Finish, then click Yes in the warning pop-up which appears,

to confirm that you understand that your OS drive will be overwritten.

A progress window will appear showing the restore progress. when complete, the system will automatically reboot to

complete the process.

Live-Recorder Operating Manual Page 15

USING THE LIFESAVER OPTION:

1. Before proceeding with the LIFESAVER image restore, please make sure to

backup all personal data present on the OS drive.

Remove the recording drives (REC PACK, the two rightmost drives) and insert

the LIFESAVER (shown right) in one of the empty drive bays.

2. Start the system and press [F10] until the Boot device selection screen pops up.

Select LIFESAVER BOOT.

3. Windows will start loading files. After some time, a the System Recovery Options window will appear. In the first screen

use the Select a keyboard input method drop-down menu to choose the language of your keyboard, and click Next.

4. In the next screen, leave the log-in as XI-USER and click OK. No password is required, unless you added one yourself using

the Windows Control Panel User Accounts.

5. A scan for Windows installations will start, resulting in a dialogue offering to Repair and restart the system. Click NO.

6. In the following dialogue, select Restore your computer using an image that you created earlier and click Next.

Page 16 Live-Recorder Operating Manual

7. The next dialogue asks to use the latest available system image. Click Select a system image and click Next.

8. The next dialogue will list all available image locations, including the one on the hidden standard backup volume BACKUP.

Depending on the status of your system SSD’s, you may or may not see more than one possible image backup. Since you

are using the LIFESAVER, please select the image location LIFESAVER.

Confirm the image to be restored.

9. In the Choose additional restore options dialogue, you can exclude disks. If this button is not greyed out, select it and

check the drives to be excluded as possible destination drives for the image restore. By default, the LIVERECORDER will

not have this option available.

It is essential that the Only restore system drives checkbox is not checked. This will allow the LIFESAVER to

automatically install a backup on the hidden backup partition. 

9. In the Re-image your computer window which appears, click Finish, then click Yes in the warning pop-up which appears,

to confirm that you understand that your OS drive will be overwritten.

A progress window will appear showing the restore progress. when complete, the system will automatically reboot to

complete the process.

Live-Recorder Operating Manual Page 17

4. SSL Soundscape Software Installation

IMPORTANT PREPARATIONS

As Soundscape comes already installed on Live-Recorder, you are unlikely to need to install it. However, we have included

these instructions in case they become necessary for any reason.

Before you proceed installing Soundscape, please ensure that you have successfully completed the Hardware

Installation, as described in the MX4 Installation Manual, otherwise you will not be able to successfully install or work

with the Soundscape or Mixer application.

The files required for the following Installation can either be found on the CD which came with your audio card (SSL MX4,

MadiXtreme 64, or MadiExtreme 128) or can be downloaded from the SSL website.

The audio card CD comes with an Install Menu Application (MX4_start.exe, for example), which allows easy Installation of all

software components.

In order to avoid any complications during software installation please follow these steps in the order indicated:

1 Make sure you have installed the audio card and its drivers properly. If you have an internet connection, please download

and use the most recent version, available from the SSL website.

2 Run the Soundscape V6.2 Combo Installer and as well as any optional extras – Pro-Convert V6 for Soundscape and SSL

Console Control for Soundscape.

3 Start the SSL Soundscape V6.2 Software and follow the Instructions of the Unit Configurator. Make sure the Software runs

properly.

4 Enter the Mix Password you find on your audio card Registration card, under Options / Passwords / V2.xx Mixer starting

with the letter M.

Note that the MX4 comes with plug-in passwords. If you have no plug-ins to install, please ignore instructions 5 to 8

below:

5 Enter the SSL Console EQ Password you find on your audio card’s registration card (SEQ), under Options / Passwords /

SSL Console EQ starting with the letter M.

6 Enter the SSL Console Dynamics Password you find on your audio card’s registration card (SCD), under Options /

Passwords / SSL Console Dynamics starting with the letter M.

7 Enter the SSL Bus Compressor Password you find on your audio card’s registration card (SBC), under Options / Passwords

/ SSL Console Bus Compressor starting with the letter M.

8 Enter the SSL Audio Toolbox Password you find on your audio card’s registration card (ATB), under Options / Passwords

/ Audio Toolbox (Partx) starting with the letter M. You only have to enter the password once.

9 Enter the SSL Soundscape V6 Password you find on your Soundscape V6 webshop receipt or in your ‘MySSL’ account

online (SS6), under My Profile / My Products / Soundscape Version 6 starting with the letter M.

10 Enter the Time Module Password you find on your Soundscape V6.2 webshop receipt or in your ‘MySSL’ account online

(XTM), under My Profile / My Products / XPro Time Module starting with the letter M.

11 Connect your Converter or MADI Console and set Clocking and MADI Mode under Settings / Master Clock and Settings

/ MADI / MADI Mode.

12 Ensure that the SSL Soundscape V6.2 Software runs properly. Under Settings / Save Settings you can make your changes

permanent.

All the steps above are described in greater detail on the following pages.

Page 18 Live-Recorder Operating Manual

Compatible SSL Audio Cards

SSL Soundscape has been designed to take advantage of SSL’s DSP and Audio Core Technology, available on the MX4

MadiXtreme 64 and MadiXtreme 128 cards, each of which have been optimised for modern Multi-CPU Processors and

Windows 7.

MX4

MX4 PCIe card features two MADI inputs and two MADI outputs, providing 128 simultaneous inputs and outputs at up to

48kHz, or 64 simultaneous inputs and outputs at up to 96kHz. And a set of SSL optimised hardware DSPs that allows it to

perform the most demanding mixing tasks.

Note that you will need MX4 Firmware version 19 or higher. Please go to the MX4 Support page on the SSL website if

you need to run a update.

MadiXtreme 64 and 128

Featuring one or two MADI heads for 64 or 128 simultaneous inputs and outputs, MadiXtreme PCIe cards offer a cost effective

option for use with external mixing.

INSTALLING FROM WEB DOWNLOAD

Start by downloading the Mixer/Soundscape V6.2 Combo Installer from the SSL website:

http://www.solidstatelogic.com/music/soundscape/downloads.asp

When you unzip the downloaded file, you will find four folders within it.

1. The SSL Soundscape family driver; This is a driver which allows all of the relevant SSL sound cards to be run on the

computer. Note that your SSL sound card comes with a CD which also contains this driver. Installation of the driver is

described in the documentation included with each product.

2. The SSL Soundscape & Mixer; This is the main installer for Soundscape and is described below in detail.

3. Console Manager; This installer is included for legacy purposes as the software has been replaced by SSL Console Control.

4. Resources; This folder includes all user documentation referenced by Soundscape’s Help menu.

Live-Recorder Operating Manual Page 19

Main Installation Procedure

Simply unpack the download into a folder and start SSL Soundscape Setup v6.2

combo installer wizard.

Once the combo installer wizard is started (depending on the Windows version

you may be prompted with some dialogue boxes to confirm that you really,

really want to run this Installer)

Click Next.

In the next screen, choose the components you wish to install – Soundscape and its Mixer,

along with optional extras Console Control and Pro Convert –

and click Next.

The combo installation will now begin, as indicated by the progress screen which is

displayed.

During the combo installation, the main Soundscape setup dialogue will open in a new

window – click Next to start the Soundscape installation process.

Note that there may be a short pause before the buttons become available.

Please note that although you can select a different installation folder than the default

offered, the SSL Mixer & Soundscape user manuals and support procedures will always

refer to the default installation folders. We therefore recommend using the default

installation locations.

Click Next.

You can also select different a Projects Data Folder. Again, however, we recommend using

the default location.

Click Next.

Page 20 Live-Recorder Operating Manual

Once you have selected your installation and project data folders, you may select whether

Soundscape and Mixer icons should be placed on the desktop.

Click Next.

Now you are ready to install some very fine SSL Software... Click Install to complete this

part of the installation.

A progress bar will allow you to monitor the progress of the installation. Click Cancel at any

time if, for any reason, you need to abort the installation.

Once the Soundscape Installer has successfully finished, you can click Finish to close the

installer and return to the combo installer progress bar.

Once the Combo Installer has successfully finished, you can click Finish to complete the last

part of the installation process.

Note: The SSL Mixer / Soundscape V6 Combo Installer will also install the latest Version

of the SSL Console Bundle and Audio Toolbox.

Note also that if your computer does not have Miscrosoft .Net installed, an installer for

it will commence automatically.

Live-Recorder Operating Manual Page 21

INSTALLING/UPDATING MX4 OR MADIXTREME DRIVERS

Complete Reinstallation:

•Insert the card.

• Power on your system.

• Follow the on-screen plug and play driver installation, pointing the Windows Wizard to the driver directory of the

Soundscape web download.

Driver Update:

• Exit all SSL Soundscape related software.

• Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a temporary directory.

• Go to Device Manager, locate SSL Soundscape Devices.

For each entry , right-click, select Update Driver and point to the driver directory.

Firmware Update on Madixtreme and MX4 Cards:

After the Driver has been updated:

• Open the Track.exe utility located in the Ssdrv driver folder.

• Double-click on each Madixtreme device in Tracks opening screen (one at a time). If a driver contains a newer firmware

version, the firmware updater will launch.

• Please follow the on-screen instructions.

• When done, power down the PC, wait 10 seconds and reboot.

IMPORTANT:

• Make sure to first install the driver before installing any SSL Soundscape software.

• After installation of a driver ALWAYS reboot your PC.

• After a firmware update ALWAYS power down your PC, wait for 10 seconds and power it on again to activate the new

firmware.

• On first start of the software make sure to properly configure your devices in the Unit Configuration window.

Page 22 Live-Recorder Operating Manual

5. Becoming an Expert: What and where to read next

The SSL Website offers a great wealth of Information about the Soundscape Software including the Mixer, the MadiXtreme

and MX4 cards, and Alpha Link Converters, as well as MADI in general.

We recommend you always check in with the latest Soundscape User Guide (already installed on your Machine with the

Soundscape Software) to quickly look things up and find answers...you'll find it in Soundscape's Help Menu! Please make

sure you always check our interactive FAQ section as well:

http://www.solidstatelogic.com/support/Soundscape/faq.asp

In this chapter we want to give you a couple of pointers where to find the most important information.

CUSTOMIZING FACTORY TEMPLATES: MEET THE MIXER

If your Live-Recorder System is based on a Madixtreme 64 or 128 Card, the built-in Mixer Software is limited to

ordering/grouping the Track Inserts against Column Numbers.

If your System is based on the MX4 card, however, you have a fully customizable "SSL Console" under your fingertips, that

can help Monitoring, splitting, Mixing, processing etc...

As a start we recommend you check the following pages in the Soundscape V6.2 User Guide for further reading:

• automatic "speaker" name extension

• I/O Routing and Automatic Delay Compensation (ADC)

• DSP Plug-Ins (MX4 only)

• VST Plug-Ins (MadiXtreme and MX4)

Important: Mixers created with MX4 Cards can be loaded onto Systems containing a Madixtreme Card (and vice versa),

however, only Track Elements and consecutive VST Plug-Ins will work and I/O's will be routed to the MADI CH related

to the Track Insert rather than the actual I/O settings.

BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE SHOW

Please check the following topics in the main Soundscape Manual, if you want to speed up your workflow:

• Working with Markers

• Loop Stack Recording

• Gapless Punch Out technology

• Creating a quick Backup with FileManager

• Keyboard Shortcuts

SAVING PROJECTS AND EXPORTING TO OTHER DAW'S

The built-in SSL Pro-Convert Technology makes sharing Soundscape Arrangements with other DAW's easy.

To guarantee the best experience with Project Conversion, please check the Project Conversion section of the main

Soundscape manual.

Live-Recorder Operating Manual Page 23

6. Support

GETTING SUPPORT AND FURTHER HELPFUL READING

To access the latest support information on SSL Live-Recorder, Soundscape and Mixer, MX4, MadiXtreme and Alpha Links

please visit our online support site. The information there is kept up to date by our support staff to ensure it is accurate, and

is available to you 24/7/365.

Live-Recorder and Soundscape: http://www.solidstatelogic.com/support/Soundscape/faq.asp

MX4: http://www.solidstatelogic.com/support/mx4/

MadiXtreme: http://www.solidstatelogic.com/support/madixtreme/

Alpha Link: http://www.solidstatelogic.com/support/Alpha%2DLink/

If you can’t find an answer or a solution to your issue, you can submit a question via the site to our support staff for resolution:

http://www.solidstatelogic.com/support

www.solidstatelogic.com

Visit SSL at: www.solidstatelogic.com

82BSRP01A

© Solid State Logic

All Rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions

Console Control, Live-Recorder, MadiXtreme, Matrix, MX4, Nucleus, Pro-Convert and Soundscape

are trademarks of Solid State Logic

All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are hereby

acknowledged

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, whether mechanical or

electronic, without the written permission of Solid State Logic, Oxford, OX5 1RU, England

As research and development is a continual process, Solid State Logic reserves the right to change the

features and specifications described herein without notice or obligation.

Solid State Logic cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from

any error or omission in this manual.

E&OE