Looking for a decent low-end analogue console

Discussions on sound production outside the synthesizer such as mixing, processing, recording, editing and mastering.
User avatar
madtheory
Supporting Member!
Supporting Member!
Posts: 5645
Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 12:45 pm
Real name: Tomas Mulcahy
Gear: Wurlitzer Opus 1536, Model F, Morovdis Arpeggiator, Maplin My First EQ, Jeff Wayne Thunderchild rack, Thermostat, Buck Owens' Moog.
Location: Cork, Ireland
Contact:

Re: Looking for a decent low-end analogue console

Post by madtheory » Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:09 am

OriginalJambo wrote: :lol:
I didn't mean to pry or anything, just would hardly call the Ghost low-end or budget. To be honest the OP could probably do better than a 200B with a sizeable budget of £1000 anyway.
:) Absolutely. Like I said earlier, a used Spirit would be perfect and within budget I think...

User avatar
clusterchord
Active Member
Active Member
Posts: 742
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:35 pm
Real name: Tomislav
Band: Nimbus Dei
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Contact:

Re: Looking for a decent low-end analogue console

Post by clusterchord » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:34 am

if u can get the price down a little bit i'd go with 6000, and yes id definetely re-cap it. not a myth at all. it has been done long before internet even existed. temperature in big consoles makes caps age prematurely. its common practice with old(er) consoles form soundcraft to Neve and SSL, to recap every 7 or so yrs.

ive re-capped many things in my studio, incl synths n fx and most of the time the difference is not subtle at all, lower noise floor , better transients etc..

with my limited exp w 6000, it is certainly miles above any newer spirit cheapo c**p or delta. it got character. also it can easily be hot -rodded with better opamps, better caps etc etc.. u can find info on this on the web. try prodigy-pro forums.


my 0.02 euro
Image

jupiter · oberheim · prophet · sh · moog · andromeda · ppg wave · vs · waldorf · yamaha · eii · casio
rhodes · solina · acetone · eurorack · system100 · förster · lexicon · eventide · space echo · svc350 etc

User avatar
madtheory
Supporting Member!
Supporting Member!
Posts: 5645
Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 12:45 pm
Real name: Tomas Mulcahy
Gear: Wurlitzer Opus 1536, Model F, Morovdis Arpeggiator, Maplin My First EQ, Jeff Wayne Thunderchild rack, Thermostat, Buck Owens' Moog.
Location: Cork, Ireland
Contact:

Re: Looking for a decent low-end analogue console

Post by madtheory » Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:12 pm

I didn't say it doesn't have to be done. I did say it's over rated as a solution. It's unlikely that every cap would need replacing. The correct procedure is to be aware of the tolerances of the particular circuit design, and diagnose each cap for correct functioning. A good design takes account of cap aging, and has a wide tolerance for capacitance. That's basic to any design really.

You also need to decide whether that work and expense is better spent on a modern desk.

User avatar
wiss
Supporting Member!
Supporting Member!
Posts: 2141
Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:03 pm
Gear: .com, mpc, and a studio full of behringer clones.
Location: Chicago

Re: Looking for a decent low-end analogue console

Post by wiss » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:56 am

the behringer mx8000 and mx9000 are really good low end desks....clones of mackie desk, behringer was forced to stop production becuase of lawsuits from mackie.
"All we used was the explosion and the orchestra hit. The Fairlight was a $100,000 waste of space."

User avatar
Stab Frenzy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 9723
Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2006 5:41 pm
Gear: Eurorack, RYTM, Ultranova, many FX
Location: monster island*
Contact:

Re: Looking for a decent low-end analogue console

Post by Stab Frenzy » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:03 am

I wouldn't say the Mackie 8-bus it's a copy of was a good desk. Sure a million albums were mixed on them in the 90's but I'd rather mix ITB than use a Mackie 8-bus, the EQ is craptacular.

ramos
Junior Member
Junior Member
Posts: 154
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:06 am
Location: Melbourne - Australia

Re: Looking for a decent low-end analogue console

Post by ramos » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:28 pm

Just get an old tascam m-312b or similar. can't go wrong.
Sh-101, tb-303, Juno-6, Jx-3p, TR-808, TR-707, TR-727,Oberheim DMX - Tascam m-312b + ghetto effects

User avatar
HQ. 17
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 53
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 2:43 pm
Location: Berlin, Germany

Re: Looking for a decent low-end analogue console

Post by HQ. 17 » Tue Sep 09, 2008 3:16 am

Thanks for the replies, I'd forgotten about this thread.

Now considering a used Soundcraft Ghost. The potential to upgrade components is definitely of interest.

I've also been to look at this Allen & Heath Saber http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Allen-Heath-Saber ... .m20.l1116. Unfortunately the power cable was misplaced at the time so I'm waiting to hear back from the dealer that the desk can be powered up and tested. Does anyone know about the Saber? It's an ex-broadcast desk from a radio station. There's little or no info on the A&H site.

Two people had contacted me regarding Allen & Heath GS3000s but have not replied to emails for some time. It's a shame as they look like great consoles.

User avatar
HQ. 17
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 53
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 2:43 pm
Location: Berlin, Germany

Re: Looking for a decent low-end analogue console

Post by HQ. 17 » Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:03 am

I was sadly outbid on eBay in the last ten seconds this afternoon.

The auction was for a used Ghost 32 for a very good price (around 1/10th the cost of a new one!). Pretty gutted :(

Ah well, the search continues......

Post Reply