Solid State Logic (SSL) has launched SSL Connex, a USB microphone for applications such as conferencing, live streaming, or portable music recording. This is a surprising announcement coming from a company mostly known for expensive mixing systems, now part of the Audiotonix group.
Compatible with MAC/PC and USB equipped tablets, SSL Connex is to said to work with all major videoconferencing platforms and is also suitable for podcasting, live streaming or music capture. USB powered and measuring 9cm x 9cm x 4cm, SSL Connex can be used on a flat surface or mounted to a microphone arm or camera stand.
"SSL Connex is the ultimate 'portable problem solver' for today's fast-paced digital age," commented Enrique Perez, Solid State Logic’s CTO. "We are excited to apply our decades-long expertise to bring one of the most useful, high-quality and value-based audio products to the consumer market. Whether you are a remote worker, an international jetsetter, an inspired content creator or a musician, SSL Connex is an extremely high-quality solution that will help deliver and capture your ideas with immediacy and clarity."
Connex uses a combination of a quad microphone array and DSP such that four tailored ‘user modes’ are available.
White, solo mode, is optimized for a single sound source from the front of the unit, reducing unwanted sound from back and side faces. Green, group mode, is for round table style conferences. Magenta, vocal mode, is targeted at singing applications while Blue, music mode, is designed for a group of musicians positioned around the device. Each of the four individual mic sources for the purpose of immersive and spatial recordings or broadcasts.
On the front of the unit is a 3.5mm headphone output with a loopback option for ambient 'room' monitoring. A touch-sensitive interface at the top of the unit provides options to adjust headphone levels, microphone muting, 'push-to talk' and the ability to cycle through the four different DSP settings, as well as accessing immersive mode. A back-lit, colored SSL panel allows users to quickly identify both the microphone muting state and which DSP setting is currently activated.
SSL Connex is priced at a RRP/MSRP of $199.99 but is available now an at introductory price of $149.99.