Since its release in 2010, Nucleus has won TEC's, Sound on Sound, Resolution and MIPA
awards, and we now reveal the next step - a Nucleus for the world of Audio over IP.
Nucleus2 is a unique proposition for the professional project studio with a perfect blend of
advanced DAW control, transparent SuperAnalogueTM monitoring with talkback, SSL console
grade mic pres, pro quality Dante audio interface and bundled SSL Native plug-ins. There is
no other product available which offers the professional producer all of these elements, with
benchmark audio performance and elegant ergonomics. Not only is it unique but Nucleus2 is
also outstanding value; these elements bought separately would cost more and deliver a less
elegant solution.
Nucleus2 is a compact, portable desktop unit that creates a comfortable, efficient, hands on
operating environment for DAW based Music and Film/TV Post production. It provides
everything you need to record and monitor audio and to control your DAW quickly and
efficiently without resorting to your mouse. Nucleus2 streamlines your workflow and helps
you focus on your sound, not your screen.
Nucleus2 offers a unique combination of audio capabilities. At its foundation is a SSL
SuperAnalogueTM signal path providing benchmark audio quality monitor output to "main"
and "alternate' speaker sets via +4dBu connections. A high quality 2+2 Ch Dante audio
interface provides a record and playback path for your DAW or connectivity to a wider Dante
IP audio network. Two Combi XLR mic/line/instrument level inputs can feed the audio
interface and the monitor outputs simultaneously. Digital I/O via S/PDIF feeds the AD/DA of
the audio interface (pre insert) enabling both a "digital to DAW" record path and a
"mic/line/instrument to digital" output path. The Digital input can use Ch 3&4 of the audio
interface so can be recorded to separate channels in your DAW in parallel to the incoming
analogue mic/line/instrument inputs. A wet/dry control enables balancing of analogue (and
digital) input and DAW playback for zero latency record monitoring. With Nucleus2 we have
added a talkback input that feeds the headphones, and triggers a switchable -20dB DIM in
the monitor outputs. This input has an adjustable gain, and can be switched to feed input 2
of the Dante soundcard for remote communications over the network. The Nucleus2 mic
pre's are SSL SuperAnalogue Mic Pre's, identical to those used on SSL Duality and AWS
consoles and our X-Rack system giving Nucleus2 a professional standard transparent mic
record path. The mic inputs have 80Hz High Pass Filters, Polarity Reverse and Phantom
Power. A pair of insert send/return connections for incorporation of external analogue
processing or effects default to the mic/line/instrument inputs but can be moved across to
DAW playback for mixdown. An additional "external" stereo analogue input provides a
transparent SuperAnalogue monitor path for another audio interface, or any other analogue
device. There is an accurate analogue output level meter. A stereo minijack connection
makes monitoring from an iPod or any other portable audio device straightforward. Two
headphone outputs complete the monitoring options.
Nucleus2 DAW Control is based on the concepts developed for the SSL Matrix. Up to 3
different DAWs can be connected simultaneously and you can switch between them with a
single button push. Nucleus2 uses either HUI or MCU protocols ensuring compatibility with
all leading DAW applications including Pro Tools, Logic and Cubase/Nuendo and can transmit
MIDI CC data. Nucleus2 provides a complete set of dedicated and assignable hardware
controls that is easily customised to suit individual user preferences, for all major DAW and
plug-in parameters. Two banks of eight channels each provide; 100mm motorised Faders,
fully user definable soft keys and V-Pots, dedicated Select/Solo/Cut buttons and 10 point
channel level meters. The Nucleus2 centre section DAW controls provide; large heavy duty
transport buttons, a high quality jog/shuttle wheel, bank/channel/ layer selection &
navigation/global DAW parameter selection and additional USB keyboard emulation buttons.
Bright LCD Digital Scribble Strips, DAW audio level meters, self illuminating buttons and LED
status indicators ensure excellent visual feedback even in low light conditions. System
configuration is via a remote "SSL Logictivity" browser, which allows differing control profile
sets to be stored and recalled. It is here that the user defines exactly how the Nucleus2
behaves.
Nucleus2 connects to your computer via high speed Ethernet for DAW control and Dante
Audio. It also features a USB connection and appears to your host computer as a standard
keyboard enabling key command emulation. There are three USB ports on the back which
operate as a USB hub. A standard jack footswitch connection is also included and there is
also an SD card slot for Profile storage. Configuration and mapping of Key commands and
DAW Commands is via a remote "SSL Logicitivity" browser, which allows differing control
profile sets to be stored and recalled.
We could have stopped there but because we can, we chose to endow Nucleus2 with one
final killer feature; it includes the SSL Native Essentials Bundle. This includes the new SSL
Native versions of the SSL Channel EQ & Dynamics and Stereo Bus Compressor VST/AU/AAX
plug-ins. The EQ & Dynamics Channel is the classic SSL Console Channel Strip with 4 band
parametric EQ, Compressor/Expander/Gate, High Pass and Low Pass filters. The SSL Native
Bus Compressor is the sound of the classic SSL Stereo Bus Compressor from the 1980's G
Series analogue console delivered in plug-in form.
