Those SSL digital consoles are definitely cool. They've come a long way since their much earlier versions that were rather clunky. Where most of the electronics needed to be rackmounted separately from the control surface which was still as big as any other analog console ever was. Now everything is nice and compact and in a single box. It also boots up in less than 4 1/2 minutes like the older ones took to do. And you had to sequence that turn on events of each piece of equipment otherwise it wouldn't work at all. So yeah, you should be a happy camper. I've even had my eye on that one if I had any business. I mean who doesn't want to work on an SSL? I wouldn't even turn down a 4000 if I got it as cheap as mine Neve's LOL. Fat chance. It's embarrassing what I got my desks for. I mean I'm Jewish and I can only purchase stuff that's on sale. And I'm not even really Jewish but an atheist born of two Jewish folks. So there must be something in that genetic code after all?

Why don't API's go on sale at Macy's?
Mx. Remy Ann David

Hi Remy,

The X-Patch is a digital patchbay Solid State Logic | Music | X-Patch
Nothing SSL sound about it. Transparent analog switcher.

Well it definitely seems to indicate that it is passing audio through their super audio circuitry? It's the same kind of router they have built into their other digital consoles. So it still has their on board AD/DA's to allow access to those external analog pieces. So it still sounds like an SSL super analog 9000 J. series with internal digital routing and with analog inputs and outputs. And so, as indicated, it's using their same super analog circuitry and you find in their nice consoles. Call a transparent or anything you want, it's still going to sound like an SSL. Which is what you want, isn't it? No? Again, maybe I'm just not understanding something here? It's not passive. I'm sure it's cool as all of their other cool stuff is. It's got a quality sound any pro can use. And you are quite quality oriented so that should play well for you. And it will certainly complement your NEOS, quite nicely. I just don't understand how you can think that everything is transparent when it's not? Every transistor junction you go through, be it a digital switcher or anything else, imposes its own characteristics. SSL is well-known for passing a lot of their audio through FET switching transistors which imposes its own unique sound. Not transparent but colored the SSL way. Which is part of the charm and lure for those engineers that embrace those unique sonic characteristics of the SSL sound. And that's what you get an SSL for.

Yeah, you are right, I was actually thinking about one of their other newer and smaller entries, of digital mixers. And they all have that " Super Analog ", SSL circuitry. No different than that routing unit. It's they're more beyond take of their earlier 5534 usage found in their earlier desks. They had to compete with that API and Neve sound. And that's their Super Analog branding. I've not looked at that microphone preamp but I bet it has a lot more transistors than 5534's in it? Either way, I think you're making an excellent choice for your incredible hybrid setup. What could be bad? It's the good stuff. You demand the best because you want to deliver the best. And who doesn't? Other than myself of course LOL. And these are all items I too am considering with the dissolution and liquidation of my truck. Stuff I can throw into a couple of cases into the RV. Where I also have my kitchen, bathroom, shower and bedroom. The acoustics ain't bad either considering the size. The dining room bench seat wooden boxes work like a couple of good bass traps LOL. Who would have thunk? I was going to tear them out until I heard my KRK V6's LOL. They sound dynamite! And the FOSTEX 6301's sound incredible in the bedroom. I'm just not sure how I want to do the surround thing in the coach? Lengthwise or widthwise? And no more LP gas range or oven. Now I just have an induction cooktop so I can also bulk erase tapes LOL. So when the hits are cookin', you know they're erased.... Don't want to go there. Though I figure would be fun to put a Samsung hard drive on one of those induction cook tops? (You can tell I don't like Samsung hard drives).

I'm no longer cooking with gas LOL.
Mx. Remy Ann David

Thanks for the SSL encouragement but, I could very well be misinformed or miss the greater detail, but my understanding is the SSL X-Patch does not add colour or a discernible sound. Its simply relay's that connect the wire. As straight a wire as you can get, I'm told. Ideal for Mastering, prefect for hybrid.
It connects to the computer only to make patch changed via Ethernet. No SSL colour. Amazing product. I love it.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb11/articles/ssl-xpatch.htm

It could only be straight wire if they were using relays. It's going through a cross point latch. You can only switch audio physically or by holding it captive in a semi conductor Junction stoplight. Waiting for the right turn or left turn arrow to come on or the full through green. The computer controls the logic of the semi conductor switching. Or perhaps I'm dead wrong? Just tell me how you switch audio without physically moving the wire? Relays right? I had hundreds of reed relays in my Sphere Eclipse C. You can't even hear them switching. Totally silent. And totally intermittent at times LOL. That along with their CMOS driver that were always blowing up. Talk about logic nightmare. Yes I lost sleep over it. And now I have an old Neve that only uses 1/4 inch telephone patchbays and chords.

It's always in tune.
Mx. Remy Ann David

I'm sure they are similar relay's like in the Dangerous Monitor ST, but , well maybe not quite, The Dangerous are louder . They are transparent. But, regardless, I hear no change in sound. If I did, I would return it. The way this thing switches blows my mind. Its really something. I can switch chains without skipping a beat.