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I'm going to jump in here because i'm letting my ears rest and I'm virgin flipping a tape:
I have used both the RND alot (working with another GS member and brilliant engineer) tracking drums and also the 1608 and a giant white vintage API console at another studio all within the last few months. I also own the Tree Audio 500.
I was one of the original ordering persons of the 1608. They had my money and me on hold for a while. They were complete ****ing dicks to me at NAMM a few years ago. I cancelled my order and commissioned Steve to start the tree audio 500. On that experience alone i would say automation is not happening. Just my 2 cents.
Don't get me wrond, I like API products, My tree is filled with 550's and 560s and a few 525's, but well, service i don't think is their forte for the little guy (read anyone not being a 100,000$+ console)
The RND is a beautiful beast and truly built in the fashion of the classics. Mic Pres in silk mode is good as gold. Versatility in tracking is great. Tons of headroom good sound. 1608, yeah cool. I like a well maintained 1604 better. The vintage white beast sounded awesome but, you know, don't use that channel, skip this one, etc. Mixing? Tree Audio all the way. Reconfigure and go baby. Inward Connections sound all day long - plus it's shadowmix compatible.
YMMV, IMHO, PEace and all that.
BTW, Roundbadge i got a EAR 660 over here right now on lead vocals with a smidgen of Level-OR in parralel - AMAZING
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