Quote:
Originally posted by Jose Mrochek
Making a fader ride on a Neve or SSL feels so solid. While even the capricorn as I recall felt cheap and lifeless. Was this ever an issue with you guys? It may sound stupid.. but a nice solid fader just sounds better, (whatever that means) and this goes to all other knobs. Is it that expensive to inprove these things ? |
FWIW, parts cost would be a very signifant factor. Looking inside an SSL for eaxample, we're talking about the top of the line P&G faders, clarostat pots with steel shafts, expensive switches with lots of contacts. The fact that most of the pots and the most frequently used switches are mounted on the channel face and not the PCB adds a lot to the solid feel factor also.
Regarding digital consoles as opposed to analogue consoles, there are other differences. The feel of an opto-encoder is by essence different from a pot, and there are qualities there too. And although most if not all elements are PCB mounted, the size of the PCB and the way the PCBs are attached to the metalwork will affect the feel.
Does it really sound better? that is debatable, but it probably will in the long run - in one word: reliability. Lets not forget that our mind can play tricks on us, and that the association of two senses (hearing and touch) will play a role there too.
Why isn't everything built the same way? Well, cost is main reason: mechanics are still the expensive part of technology.