Thank you! Less expensive analog gear is probably the main reason I started this channel along with sharing what I have learned in over 30 years of audio engineering. I will probably try to make a couple of analog gear shopping videos a month. I'm thinking the next one might be tape machines but I will definitely return to console shopping soon too. I also have tested at least 12 different less expensive consoles in videos since I started the channel. Sometimes they are borrowed and at times I've bought consoles for videos and then sold or donated them though I wish I had the space and money to keep them all. I'd have quite a collection of sub $10k consoles by now. Thanks again!
Nice Video Grady! I really like this. I have a Soundcraft Spirit Studio myself and paid 400€ for it with 4 Alesis 3630 compressors. I think that's a very reasonable price for a 32 channel console.
I really like the Spirit consoles. Does yours have the Mic Pre+ preamps like the Spirit Live 4.2 I tested in a video a few years ago? They sounded so good on drums. I have not used Alesis 3630s, but I like cheap compressors. My recent favorite is the dbx 1066. I got mine for $60 and it is great! And yes, that is a very good price for a 32 channel. I am a big fan of Soundcraft. I have owned a Ghost, the Spirit Live 4.2 and the Sapphyre which is my main console. I liked them all but the Spirit and Sapphyre have been my favorites over the Ghost.
@@TwinCreekAudio I think it does have the same preamps as the live versions. The guy who sold it to me said it has the same pre-amps. I will check out your video on the live 4.2 I just hooked it up to my Ferrofish converter so I only can use 16 channels but I liked your idea about grouping tracks in the box and sending that to the console instead of sending 3 separate ones. This way I probably will be able to do a full mix with it. I will keep you posten as I go along on Messenger. Cheers from Antwerp and thanks again Grady. Really apreciate your effort.
Thanks so much! I'm trying to change it up a little and add some new and interesting topics. We need to do another collaboration about your Audient console and how you use it.
One console I thought was amazing (though I never used personally) is the Tangent modeo 3216. Another one I actually used in a session once was the tascam M312. Humongous for a 12x4 console, but very powerful eq.
I would love to own a Tangent 3216. I've actually shopped for one before but they are fairly difficult to find these days in good condition. I've heard good things about the build quality and options for mods etc on those. I've even thought about purchasing some of the smaller Tangent mixers to test in a video. I usually like Tascam mixers too but haven't had any experience with the 312.
Thanks for the good video. I sold a Mackie onyx 24/4 a few years ago. One of the original. As I find myself being drawn towards purchasing a 16 track tape recorder, I wish I still had it. It had great pres, direct outs on each channel via dsubs. More features than the modern onyx mixers have.
This is great Grady, I scan verb for consoles like every other day before I head into the studio haha. Cool to see people getting back into consoles despite what it might do to prices.
Thank you! I had fun! I have watched different consoles and audio gear on Reverb for years so I figured it would be fun to make some shopping videos for different pro audio gear. I think the hybrid mixing thing is catching on with more and more people which is overall a good thing. I hate seeing consoles that work and sound great just sitting or being parted out for pres etc. I also think good deals are probably still fairly easy to find since selling consoles usually takes longer than some other gear and locations and shipping can be expensive.
@@TwinCreekAudio I agree, it's a huge bummer watching consoles get parted out. I remember watching for the old Midas consoles but I wasn't ready for the workflow, now they go for 5x what they were when I started looking and the last few I saw were getting parted out. It's a shame. Lots of benefits to a bunch of the same pre AND EQ in the same spot. I got pre crazy in 2016 as I went full time and recently listened back to something I did on an electro voice (DDA Dynachord) interface (which is rumoured to be a delta clone, and the drums were so dang punchy, my API stuff be damned!
@@shardsrecordingstudio-matt2247 I actually used to have a DDA Interface in between my first Topaz and a Ghost. One of the reasons I have so many is to save them at least in some cases. My Soundcraft Sapphyre absolutely rocks! I like it's pres better on drums than my CAPIs which is staying a lot. I have found myself using the console preamps more and more even though I have quite a few outboard pres. It's more convenient and I have the Sapphyre EQ if I want to sculpt the sound on the way in. Win win for me. Thanks for the cool discussion!
@@TwinCreekAudio absolutely, I live for such discussions, lotta folks tell me I should have a channel too haha. But I really appreciate the feedback because I'm about to make one functioning console out of this 500 and 600 and it's going to be the bulk of my preamps. There's like a mental block eye to get through choosing those for the bulk of my tracking over all the other botiquey stuff I've amassed. I got to work in LA at a spot with a Neve 8068 doing a sample pack (I'm from East coast), and almost every single thing we recorded from the drum kit to this ends guitars, acoustic, guitar, etc. All went through that console and I think the thing that stuck out was how finished everything sounded by way of the engineer having tweaked EQ on everything on the way in. It definitely also had a sound, but I think the big thing aside from room was Mike choice and then how he EQ'd/committed.
@@shardsrecordingstudio-matt2247 The way I've always thought about it is the instrument itself is the most important aspect of the final sound, then the mic, preamp etc. I don't EQ as much when tracking as I used to when I worked with tape but I definitely will do it at times. Usually that's when I have a cool EQ and I want to bake in the sound or when I'm delivering the tracks to someone else to mix. I use my Soundcraft preamps more than anything else because, in the case of the Sapphyre, they are clean with a touch of character and have great transient response. I'm don't have to worry about the punch of the drums being lost. i would imagine the 500/600 will be similar. Something about using mainly the console pres seems to make things more cohesive but I will usually a CAPI or NEVE clone on more prominent things like vocals where I want it stand out. Oddly, I still normally use the console preamps for electric guitar cabs but I'll use a CAPI on acoustic if it's a part that meant to stand out. The VP26 with a red dot opamp followed by an opto compressor or a vibey VCA comp like the Urei LA-10is really nice. I love making the videos but I will admit it's a lot of work for very small return. But I get to make a little extra money doing what I love and it gives me an excuse to have all this gear! I would recommend making some videos because it's rewarding to be able to meet like minded audio people and help others who are trying to figure out their analog gear. I'm thinking about offering more online services this year to allow me to have more time to continue developing the channel. I still work a full time job and have work in the studio so it can be a challenge, but I have enjoyed developing this channel and I really happy it is finally catching on and making anything at all. I've been at it for more than 4 years now. I really appreciate the discussion. RU-vid is so great because of the community and ability to make friends around the world through audio and music.
Thank you! I don't have a Ramsa but I used to own one and I am familiar with them. I will have to see how I might be able to make a video about Ramsa mixers.
Absolutely! I've seen that on recording consoles and broadcast consoles too. The A&H System 8 I used to own had switches and a blank panel for a remote. I disconnected it all as I was not using it to start and stop cart machines or tape or anything.
Hey Grady! Happy New Year! Love all your vids! I wanted to say thanks for turning me on to getting a Mackie 32.8.2 Bus analog mixing console. I just picked it up for an excellent price. I'm just now getting it set up. Anyway, keep the great, and informative vids coming, and best to you, and yours in the new year, and beyond.
I saved that Soundcraft listing when it came up on my feed because i like the diffusor the guy has. I have the 24 channel 1600 series "producer" desk from that same year. If anybody is interested in a Sony MPX-390, I'll be putting one on Reverb after i go through it. Would make a nice little mixer if you don't need a ton of channels.
Cool! I love Soundcraft consoles in general and those years seem to very respected. I like the diffuser too. The smaller Sony consoles are great for small analog setups. Very good quality.
@@TwinCreekAudio Happy New Year! I like the workflow and built in patchbays on the old Soundcrafts (plus they sound great!). You're right about keeping up on maintenence on these old mixers though. Luckily they're easy to find parts and spares for and not too difficult to keep going with a little time and patience. Whenever I would get bogged down refurbing mine, I would throw on Mary Jane's Last Dance which was recorded and mixed on Mike Campbell's 1600 to keep me motivated.
@@ER-yq1lc that's awesome! I'm a huge Soundcraft fan and I've found their other consoles to be very reliable and well built. All old consoles need service but you're correct that you can find parts and they are relatively easy to service. I've had good luck with my Soundcraft consoles. I've had the Ghost, the Sapphyre I have now, the Spirit and a BVE rack mixer. Great stuff that lasts in my opinion.
i have 2 spirit studio 24ch boards. they are pretty cool to work with although I haven't published anything yet. much better than the live board if you want routing options.
I have always heard good things about the Spirit Studio. I had a Ghost but some people say these are better. The Spirit Live 4 2 I tested sounded great. Loved the mic pre + mic pres on drums.
@@TwinCreekAudio I’ll have to look. I’ve done a little research on it. Came with schematics and manuals but it’s gonna be a learning curve for sure. Thanks for the info and all you do on your channel🤘
I made a series of videos about the RM804. I sold mine a few years ago but it was a very cool little console. Next time, I'll take a look at more Yamaha mixers including the RM804.
Something like the Soundcraft Spirit Studio 16 channel or Tascam made some later consoles that are supposed to be good. The M2600 MKII. I've also seen some smaller Soundtracs consoles with 16 channels and 8 groups. The Solo and PC MIDI I think. 8 bus recording consoles were pretty common in the 90s so there are probably lots of options. I've tested a lot of consoles on the channel, so you might check out some of those to hear what some models sound like. Soundtracs Topaz, Mackie 8 Bus, Allen&Heath System 8 etc
Do NOT buy an AMEK Big. I repeat: DO NOT. I spent many years engineering at a studio with a Big 44 in the B room and it was a maintenance nightmare. You need an antique 486-based PC to use the automation / recall / virtual dynamics, for example. The power supply is badly built - you'd need a custom built one to really let this board shine. It's just a sea of ho-hum IC-based design under the hood. People today think analog is analog is analog, like this would somehow get you the same cushion as an old Langevin, Calrec, or Neve 80XX. It doesn't. But you will get good at soldering.
I would likely never buy an Amek Big. I used one when they were new and didn't think there was anything special about then. The EQ was good but overall, it really didn't sound that good. I was using a Neotek around the same time so I thought it might be an unfair comparison but I did not like the Big even without the knowledge of maintenance nightmares etc. I didn't want to be too negative about the things people are selling in the video but some of it was obviously ridiculous price wise though.
@@TwinCreekAudio Like the PM2000 listed a bit later, there are a number of modifications about that can breathe some life into these things. Don't get me wrong, I do love the sound of a well-designed analog desk. The AMEK stuff just sounds like the TAC Bullet / Scorpion before it, but you can snatch one of those up for far less.
@@judsonsnell Most Amek consoles are going to need some work but that's due to age and any console will need that at this point. Probably best to find the nicest example to invest time and money in. I'm sure some of the TAC consoles like the Matchless and Magnum would sound and work great once restored, services or modified. I honestly enjoy my Soundcraft Sapphyre. It's really well built and doesn't give me any trouble. I rebuilt both power supplies but haven't done any other mods. It just sounds great as designed.
@@TwinCreekAudio You mentioned also running a Neotek. If I were to go back to routing everything through a console (I'm working hybrid these days), a well maintained Elan II or a D&R Orion would be first on my list to look for.
@@judsonsnell Those would be great choices. I was using an Elite which sounded amazing and was pretty easy and quick to use. Those have held their value really well over the years and are well respected. I've never personally used a D&R but I've seen some nice examples for sale over the years. I also owned a DDA at one point. It was really well built and sounded great. Very quiet and clean with good features and routing. I was using the Neotek with tape and Big with ADATs so that might have contributed to my dislike the Big. Lol!!
