Description
The Axiom is SSL bringing its knob-per-function culture into the all-digital world: familiar surface, tapeless engine, dynamic automation. Rare and somewhat forgotten, it nonetheless marks SSL's swing to digital, with its Axiom-MT studio multitrack derivative and integrated MixTrack recorder.
Technical
Specifications
Inputs / Outputs
| Total inputs | 64 |
|---|---|
| Mic preamps | SuperAnalogue mic preamp (option) for quality and low latency when overdubbing |
| Inputs / outputs | AES/EBU digital I/O; remote RIO converters; proprietary “SSL Hi Way” network. |
Processing
| DSP engine | "A Series" digital platform with assignable surface (32 strips → 64 sources); built-in DiskTrack random-access multitrack recorder. |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Digital console with knob-per-function ergonomics, control surface rooted in SSL culture |
| Routing and patching | Compact assignable surface: 32 physical strips controlling 64 sources (“double sources per channel”). · 48-bus assignment per channel (Axiom-MT) |
| EQ | Assignable EQ profiles per channel or group (v2.2 software) · 4-band parametric EQ with splittable HPF and LPF (Axiom-MT) |
| Audio performance | Latency-compensation tools for patching analogue outboard |
| Dynamics | Full dynamics processor per channel (Axiom-MT) |
| Aux sends | 12 auxiliary sends (Axiom-MT) |
Surface
| Physical faders | 32 |
|---|---|
| Motorized faders | Yes |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Faders | Linear-motor faders with virtual detents and LED displays; hot-swappable fader modules |
| Automation | Tapeless environment with dynamic automation |
Recording
| Onboard recording | Yes |
|---|---|
| Recording type | DiskTrack — built-in random-access multitrack recorder/editor |
| Recording | Integral DiskTrack random-access multitrack recorder (shared-resource management across control rooms). A 48-track / 18 track-hour system quoted at ~$82,000 (£55,000) in 1994. · MixTrack option: integrated 24-bit hard-disk recorder, up to 96 tracks |
Networking
| Networking & protocols | AES/EBU / Network |
|---|---|
| Redundant PSU | No |
| Redundant networking | No |
Other
| Variants and configurations | A Series range (post-production / broadcast); studio multitrack derivative Axiom-MT |
|---|---|
| Lineage | Original Axiom (~1994, broadcast/post, with DiskTrack) ≠ Axiom MT (~2000, music recording). Sample rate, bit depth, dimensions and weight of the original Axiom not sourced — to be verified. |
| Applications | A little over 40 Axiom-MT sold worldwide (to be confirmed) |
Strip & details
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Software
- DiskTrackRandom-access multitrack recorder/editor integral to the Axiom, with shared-resource management across control rooms.
Other screenshots
Accessories
I/O card
- RIO 48-channel converters
48-channel RIO remote I/O converters (analog + digital).
Other
- SSL Hi Way network
Proprietary control/audio distribution network.
Editorial & artists
Our take
History & design
The Axiom is Solid State Logic's fully digital mixing console, launched in the mid-1990s as the first product in a new range dedicated to audio post-production and broadcast. It extends SSL's Scenaria and OmniMix work: a digital audio engine, dynamic automation and tapeless operation, while keeping the knob-per-function ergonomics the company is known for. The studio multitrack derivative, the Axiom-MT, reuses the A Series system technology with SSL's familiar control surface to deliver a digital multitrack console with an analogue-intuitive interface. Each channel offers 48-bus assignment, a full dynamics processor, a 4-band parametric EQ with splittable HPF/LPF, 12 auxiliary sends, remote mic-pre control and a per-channel bar-graph meter. The integrated MixTrack recorder option adds up to 96 tracks of 24-bit hard-disk recording inside the console. Sold in a little over 40 units (Axiom-MT) to high-end studios, the Axiom illustrates SSL's move to all-digital before the following generation. Not to be confused with the later Axiom-MT 'Plus' (separate entry).
- Colin Sanders — Founder of SSL
Notable users
- Chuck Ainlay
Engineer/producer (Nashville) cited by SSL among Axiom-MT users
- Eddie Kramer
Engineer cited by SSL among Axiom-MT users
- Bruce Swedien
Engineer cited by SSL among Axiom-MT users
- Humberto Gatica
Engineer/producer cited by SSL among Axiom-MT users
- Skip Saylor Recording
Axiom-MT installation (Los Angeles)
- Avatar Studios
Axiom-MT installation (New York)
- Mega Studios
Axiom-MT installation (Paris)
- MG Sound
Axiom-MT installation (Vienna)
- Howard Schwartz Recording (New York)
Axiom with DiskTrack (“Studio West”) installed in a large New York post-production complex.
Links
- Manufacturer SSL — Our History solidstatelogic.com
- Press article Barry Rudolph — SSL Axiom MT (New Toys review) barryrudolph.com
- Archive Solid State Logic — Wikipedia (A Series) en.wikipedia.org
- Press article Vintage King — Buyer's Guide: SSL Consoles vintageking.com
- Manufacturer SSL — Our History solidstatelogic.com
- Merchant Reverb — SSL Axiom-MT+/MTP (listing) reverb.com
- Archive Studio Sound, Nov. 1994 — Axiom launch (AES SF) worldradiohistory.com
- Press article Howard Schwartz Recording chooses the Axiom (NYC) creativeplanetnetwork.com
- Personal site Resurface — SSL Aysis Air (broadcast variant, A Series context) resurface.audio
Related consoles
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Documents are archived locally for preservation. Source credited. Takedown requests: [email protected]