Pricing and availability

Average Price: $25,500

High-end/Boutique

$200

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Bridging the gap between analog warmth and digital precision, the SSL AWS900 offers an unmatched experience for studio professionals seeking the best of both worlds. This mixer redefines versatility by seamlessly marrying the classic sound of the XL 9000 K series with cutting-edge DAW integration, making it an essential tool for modern music production. Whether you're tracking, mixing, or mastering, the AWS900 brings a level of clarity and control that is hard to match.

Designed for those who demand superior sound quality, its intuitive layout and robust build ensure it stands the test of time, providing both the tactile satisfaction of a traditional console and the flexibility needed for digital workflows. The SSL AWS900 is more than just a mixer; it's a comprehensive studio powerhouse that brings your creative visions to life with precision and clarity. From its super-analogue mic preamps to its seamless plugin control, every detail is engineered for excellence, ensuring your projects sound as good as they can possibly be.

Key Features:

  • Combines analog sound with digital DAW integration
  • Features the signature sound of the XL 9000 K series
  • Super-analogue mic preamps for pristine audio quality
  • Intuitive layout for seamless workflow
  • Robust build quality designed for professional studio use
  • Comprehensive control over DAW and plugins

Product specs

Brand Solid State Logic
Model AWS 900 24-Channel 8-Bus Console with DAW Control
Finish Grey
Year 2004 - 2006
Made In United Kingdom
Categories Audio Mixers, Consoles and Summing Boxes

FAQs

What are the main features of the Solid State Logic AWS900?

The SSL AWS900 is a 24-channel, 8-bus console with integrated DAW control, offering high-quality analog mixing with digital workstation integration. It features SSL's renowned SuperAnalogue sound and is ideal for professional studios seeking seamless analog-digital workflow.

Can the SSL AWS900 be used with any DAW software?

Yes, the SSL AWS900 is designed to work with most popular DAWs, providing comprehensive control over your digital audio workstation through its integrated control surface.

How does the SSL AWS900 improve studio workflow?

The SSL AWS900 enhances studio workflow by combining analog mixing capabilities with digital control, allowing users to manage both audio and DAW functions from a single console, reducing the need for separate mixing and control surfaces.

What kind of connectivity options does the SSL AWS900 offer?

The SSL AWS900 offers a range of connectivity options, including analog inputs and outputs, as well as digital connections for seamless integration with other studio equipment and DAWs.

Is the SSL AWS900 suitable for both tracking and mixing?

Yes, the SSL AWS900 is designed for both tracking and mixing, providing high-quality analog signal paths and comprehensive control for professional recording and mixing applications.

SSLvideos

SSLvideos

SSL AWS 900 - Far Heath

Video thumbnail for SSL AWS 900 - Far Heath by SSLvideos

SSL AWS 900 - Far Heath

SSLvideos

SSLvideos

Video thumbnail for SSL AWS 900 - Ed Randal Interview by SSLvideos

SSL AWS 900 - Ed Randal Interview

SSLvideos

SSLvideos

Video thumbnail for Colin Harrington maps the SSL AWS900 as a MIDI Piano by Colin Harrington

Colin Harrington maps the SSL AWS900 as a MIDI Piano

Colin Harrington

Colin Harrington

Video thumbnail for SSL AWS 900 - Elytron Productions Interview by SSLvideos

SSL AWS 900 - Elytron Productions Interview

SSLvideos

SSLvideos

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Solid State Logic AWS900.

Features and functionality

  • The AWS900 lacks proper sub-groups, requiring users to patch tape sends back into channels or use an X-Rack for subgroup mixing.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The AWS900 has a slightly different sound due to shorter internal runs and switching when compared to the Duality, despite similar control designs.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The AWS900 is often used as a front end and summing mixer rather than a full console, making it suitable for smaller project studios and post-production.

    Source

User experience

  • Users report the AWS900's analog routing limitations make it less ideal for purely analog mixing compared to vintage consoles at a similar price point.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The AWS900's lack of group buses can make vintage consoles more appealing, considering maintenance and electricity costs.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Some owners recommend using a signal generator to send a healthy signal through channels while exercising switches and knobs to reduce scratchiness.

    Source
  • Regularly exercising switches and knobs before sessions is crucial to mitigate scratchiness or cutouts in the SSL AWS900's channels.

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  • Leaky coupling capacitors can contribute to scratchy sounds in the AWS900's pots, suggesting a need for detailed inspection and replacement.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Replacing switches in the AWS900 with exact specifications from suppliers like Mouser or Digikey can significantly improve channel reliability.

    Source
  • Performing a full recap and rebuilding VCA cards can transform problematic SSL consoles into reliable workhorses.

    Source

Critic Reviews

SSL AWS900

soundonsound.com

A sophisticated blend of high-end sound and ergonomic design, the SSL AWS900 shines as a compact solution for mid-tier studios. Its Superanalogue circuitry delivers impressive audio quality, and the HUI-compatible control surface offers seamless DAW integration. However, the absence of individual dynamics on each channel and limited surround panning capabilities may limit its versatility during mixdowns. While some features come at additional costs, the overall craftsmanship and intuitive layout make it a worthy investment for serious engineers. It’s a professional-grade console that proves both stylish and functional, although not without its compromises.

positive

Review: Solid State Logic AWS 900 Analogue Workstation System

mixonline.com

The SSL AWS900 Analog Workstation System is a powerful hybrid that elegantly merges analog warmth with digital flexibility, offering an intuitive user experience. With its top-notch preamps, motorized faders, and comprehensive DAW control, it shines in studio and post-production settings. However, at $87,000, the price tag is steep, and while its 24 channels are effective, some users might yearn for additional faders and enhanced visibility under dim lighting. Despite these minor drawbacks, the AWS900 is a game-changer for serious audio professionals, proving that it’s a worthy investment for those ready to elevate their sound workflow.

positive

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Peter Gabriel uses Solid State Logic AWS900

Peter Gabriel

Singer, Keyboardist

Genesis

...
Verified via YouTube

In a video by The Vinyl Factory titled "Inside Real World Studios, Peter Gabriel's recording sanctuary," a Solid State Logic (SSL) AWS 900 series recording and mixing console is visible at the 0:31 mark in one of Peter Gabriel's studio mixing rooms, confirming his use of this specific gear.

See how Gary Louris uses Solid State Logic AWS900

Gary Louris

Singer, Guitarist

Jayhawks

...
Verified via Mixonline

Used for the electric guitar on XOXO, as stated by engineer Nick Tveitbakk in this October 28, 2020 Mix Online interview.

On some tracks, Louris played what KJ says is “the most heaviest Telecaster; it’s like a boat, but it sounds great and Gary loves it. He used that most often through a ’65 reissue Twin Reverb from the late ’90s. We also had an early Vox AC30 and a really cool Selmer Zodiac Twin. He also did some fun stuff where we put a Super Reverb in the large room and played some loud feedback with every knob on 10.

“Each amp had its own recording chain,” KJ continues. “The AC30 might go to a Black AKG 414EB. We have an SSL AWS 900, which I used as a channel for that, and on the Twin we used a Sennheiser 409, and that would have gone through either a Neve 3104 channel or one of the Calrec 1061s that we have—they’re laser-beam focused.”

See how Red Spyda uses Solid State Logic AWS900

Red Spyda

Keyboardist, Music Producer

...
Verified via Mixonline

"GC Pro, the professional audio division of Guitar Center Inc., recently sold hip-hop producer Red Spyda a SSL AWS 900 console and Digidesign® Pro Tools®|HD3 workstation at its Manhattan location."

Album Usage

The Solid State Logic AWS900 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Solid State Logic AWS900, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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