Gatineau venue installs three SSL live mixing consoles

La Salle Odyssée in Gatineau has installed three Solid State Logic live mixing consoles as part of a wider technical overhaul.

The arts venue, which seats more than 830 people within La Maison de la Culture de Gatineau, replaced almost all of its technical equipment during the upgrade. Its in-house audio team chose an SSL Live 550 Plus, an L350 Plus and an L100 Plus, along with a Live Remote Tile, to support different production needs across the complex.

The installation reflects the demands of a venue with a broad programming mix. La Salle Odyssée hosts everything from local performances to international touring shows, including comedy, theatre, dance, circus, spoken word and a range of music styles.

Joël Vaillancourt, Technical Director at La Maison de la Culture de Gatineau, said the consoles were selected after a competitive review of equipment from several suppliers.

"We host all kinds of performances, ranging from local to international productions," said Joël Vaillancourt, Technical Director at La Maison de la Culture de Gatineau. "Whether it's comedy, vocal performances, theatre, dance, circus acts, or jazz, country, pop, and symphonic music-and even live podcasts-we've got it all."

The procurement process involved head-to-head testing in live operating conditions against models from five other manufacturers.

"When it comes to choosing a piece of equipment of this importance, we never cut corners," Vaillancourt said. "Beyond the SSL brand's excellent reputation, we put the console to the test by comparing it head-to-head, in real-world conditions, with top-of-the-line models from five other major manufacturers. Our primary goal was to acquire tools that offered the best audio quality and the greatest DSP flexibility, while maintaining a user-friendly and efficient interface. It turned out that SSL products outperformed the competition across all our key criteria. Once you've mixed on an SSL Live, you won't want to go back to anything else."

Different roles

The three desks have been assigned distinct roles. The L100 Plus is used in tighter spaces and for smaller cabaret-style events, while the L350 Plus is primarily used at front of house. The L550 Plus is reserved for monitor duties or shows with heavier technical demands.

In the main Odyssée Hall, the system runs the public address setup in left-right or left-centre-right formats and, in some cases, surround sound, depending on the production. The venue also uses smaller portable left-right systems, floor monitors and in-ear monitors.

The installation extends beyond the consoles. The desks are connected to three X-Light Bridges, three SB 32.24 Dante Analogueue Stageboxes and two SB 16.12 Dante Analogueue Stageboxes on a dedicated Dante network used only for audio traffic.

That architecture reflects a broader trend in performing arts venues towards networked audio systems that can be reconfigured for a wide variety of visiting productions. Multi-space complexes increasingly need equipment that can move between front of house, monitoring and smaller-format events without major infrastructure changes.

Mix workflow

Vaillancourt said one of the main operational changes has come from using stems within the SSL system. The team now uses them to structure mixes and reduce reliance on auxiliary buses. He said the workflow has helped engineers make broader adjustments more quickly during complex live shows.

"It's incredible; it's like sculpting sound with surgical precision. Every adjustment is precise and noticeable, and the musicality is undeniable," Vaillancourt said.

He added that the venue has not needed separate outboard processing alongside the desks.

"We're perfectly happy with what's included in the console. Every situation calls for a different tool, and you can always find what works for you among the available options," Vaillancourt said.

On the mixing approach, he added: "The use of stems is revolutionary and the possibilities are practically endless. We haven't yet encountered a situation we couldn't handle. Using stems on SSL Live consoles is particularly useful for structuring the mix much more efficiently by grouping sources together, allowing for quick and comprehensive adjustments. It also provides greater control and a more consistent sound, especially during complex live performances where you can make adjustments, process in parallel and react much more quickly."

He said aux buses now play a smaller role in day-to-day operation, although less experienced users sometimes still prefer them because the approach is more familiar.

"We use aux buses much less frequently than we did with our previous consoles. Sometimes less experienced users prefer to use them because the way they work is similar to what they're used to, but for us, their use remains limited," Vaillancourt said.

For La Maison de la Culture de Gatineau, the investment also serves a broader operational purpose as it seeks to maintain the technical standard of a venue that attracts local, national and international productions.

"At La Maison de la Culture de Gatineau, we are committed to providing artists, production teams and audiences with an experience that meets the highest standards in the industry," said Steve Fournier, Executive Director at La Maison de la Culture de Gatineau. "This investment not only allows us to maintain the technical excellence of our facilities but also strengthens La Salle Odyssée's position as a premier destination for local, national and international productions."