A Decade of Excellence: SSL at the Winspear

March 24th, 2026 (Edmonton, AB) – For over ten years, the team at Edmonton’s renowned Winspear Centre has relied on the power and flexibility of Solid State Logic’s Live consoles to deliver world-class sound across a diverse range of performances. From intimate jazz showcases and Broadway vocalists to large-scale productions with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the centre’s commitment to exceptional audio has been consistently supported by SSL technology.

At the centre of this journey is the Head of Audio, Jonas Duffy, whose decade-long experience with SSL Live consoles shows not only the platform’s reliability but also its ongoing evolution.

the bom

Over the years, Duffy has mixed countless performances that showcased the console’s transparency and flexibility. One standout moment featured celebrated vocalist Lisa Fischer, whose nuanced microphone technique created an immersive and emotionally charged performance that left a lasting impression on all in attendance.

Another unforgettable highlight occurred during a Pops performance with Broadway veteran Ted Keegan, performing Music of the Night. As Keegan sustained the final note over a delicate orchestral accompaniment, the audience sat in silent awe before erupting into applause.

Beyond the concert hall, the Winspear audio team also supported community outreach concerts across Edmonton following the pandemic. These outdoor orchestral performances required innovative workflows, including multitracked rehearsals and virtual soundchecks, allowing the team to deliver consistent sound in unconventional environments. Throughout these productions, SSL’s natural sound and intuitive operation proved indispensable.

“With all these performances,” Duffy added, “the SSL console’s incredible natural sound and functionality made the events so much better.”

Duffy’s path to SSL began with an evaluation of digital mixing platforms. Workflow, connectivity, channel count, footprint, and sound quality were all critical considerations. Though SSL was historically associated with studio recording, the introduction of the SSL Live platform prompted a closer look.

A hands-on demonstration arranged with Jerry Van Dyke of dbi Systems Integration confirmed the console’s potential. Guided by product specialist Fernando Guzman’s demonstrations and real-world multitrack sessions, Duffy quickly connected with the console’s intuitive interface.

A subsequent live test with one of Duffy’s friend’s bands provided the ultimate checkmark. Building a showfile from scratch, conducting a full mic setup, and navigating a live mix environment revealed how naturally the console fit into his workflow. The verdict was immediate: SSL Live delivered the clarity, flexibility, and ease of operation he had been seeking.

When asked about this experience, Duffy commented, “It was so easy and fun to operate and sounded so natural and clean. It was by far my favorite console.”

Over the past decade, the SSL Live platform has continued to evolve through a series of software updates that have expanded both creative possibilities and operational efficiency. Version 6 introduced Fusion processing and Path Compressor Mix Control, which quickly became integral to Duffy’s master bus workflow. Earlier updates added features such as OSC control, advanced analysis overlays, expanded effects, and customizable user keys, each contributing to a more refined mixing experience.

For Duffy, this ongoing development has ensured the console remains current and adaptable. Rather than maintaining a static workflow, he revisits and rebuilds his base template every 18 to 24 months, leveraging SSL’s flexibility to streamline routing, improve efficiency, and better support the demands of the venue’s programming.

Transitioning from fixed-architecture consoles to SSL’s open signal path required a shift. Over time, Duffy refined his approach by prioritizing stems, expanding matrix routing, and maximizing the use of customizable user keys. This flexibility has made complex routing scenarios simple, and improved communication between front-of-house and monitor positions.

Integration with MADI and Blacklight II routing further enhances the system’s capabilities. The infrastructure supports seamless connectivity between consoles and stage racks, virtual soundcheck workflows, and multitrack recording for archival or post-production purposes. These capabilities have become essential for orchestral recording, rehearsal playback, and offsite mixdown sessions.

A range of features has contributed to SSL Live’s long-term success at the Winspear Centre. The console’s large touchscreen and interface make it easy for visiting engineers to get their bearings quickly, often requiring only a brief overview before mixing with ease. Customizable user keys provide easy access to functions, while dynamic EQ and onboard processing tools deliver control across a wide variety of sources.

Duffy’s go-to processing approach reflects the console’s versatility. Dynamic EQ plays a central role in smoothing vocal transitions and shaping orchestral subgroups, while onboard compressors handle wide dynamic ranges without sacrificing natural tone. A standard effects configuration of stereo plates, early reflections reverbs, and delay-based effects provides a flexible foundation for most productions.

Additional tools (including the auto mixer, de-noiser, and enhancer) further expand the console’s problem-solving capabilities, allowing the team to adapt quickly to production challenges.

After ten years of operation, the SSL Live platform remains a cornerstone of the Winspear Centre’s audio infrastructure. Its combination of sound quality, flexibility, and innovation has enabled the centre to support everything from orchestral recordings and touring productions to community outreach initiatives. Although originally having purchased the SSL L500 and SSL L300, they decided to upgrade to the SSL L550 and SSL L350.

For Duffy and his team, SSL is more than a mixing console. It is a creative partner that helps translate artistic vision into immersive audio experiences for every audience.