Need Analog desk with automation

[sada10]

and some descent to excellent pres-prefer to spend less then 50k!
Need to make a recommendation to a friend-what are some suggestions?

[crypticglobe]

Originally Posted by sada10

and some descent to excellent pres-prefer to spend less then 50k!
Need to make a recommendation to a friend-what are some suggestions?

There's a Neve 8128 on ebay right now that's in your price range. It qualifies on all counts.

[sada10]

Originally Posted by crypticglobe

There's a Neve 8128 on ebay right now that's in your price range. It qualifies on all counts.

Thanks, I will check it out!

Any other suggestions?

[GearHunter]

Originally Posted by crypticglobe

There's a Neve 8128 on ebay right now that's in your price range. It qualifies on all counts.

TWO things,

1)8128, NOT a very desirable Neve desk and likely a technical science project
2) Buying a console off EBay? Please.

I'll PM you a list of two or three excellent choices that are not nightmare money-pits.

[numrologst]

im in the same boat as you dude.

My options as of now are:

Daking 1112-no automation from daking but can fit with flying faders... Not cheap to do though.

API 1608-not yet, though it will have future automation

Wunderbar-will have automation in the next year

Tonelux- I am getting more used to this idea. Automation on 16 or 32 channels... Then you are free to have more unautomated channels. I am starting to really like this

[Drumsound]

YOu should be able to find a used Neotek Elte or Elan with aut for that money. Or maybe a Trident 80b or c.

[crypticglobe]

Originally Posted by GearHunter

TWO things,

1)8128, NOT a very desirable Neve desk and likely a technical science project
2) Buying a console off EBay? Please.

I'll PM you a list of two or three excellent choices that are not nightmare money-pits.

You know, every broker and dealer I have ever spoken to has said that the 8128 is technical nightmare, yet everyone I know that has ever worked on one said it was a joy, and they had very little problems with it.

So.... since you are a dealer... I am sure you are a little jaded, and biased (nothing personal).

I will say that if you buy a large console directly from someone directly, you should definitely do the following:

1. Go SEE it, and hear it. Get an issues list.
2. Find someone to help you professionally de-commission, transport, and comission the console. It's a BIG task.
3. Expect to pay quite a bit of money for step 3.
4. Expect that upon re-assembly over the console after it's been transported to have some issues that need to be fixed beyond what was originally reported.
5. Investigate what cable lengths are available for the PSU's and be sure you have a good, cooled, room where they can live outside of your control room (they are noisy and loud).
6. Be sure you have the proper power in your studio to handle the needs of the console
7. Be sure the person you hire to help you with this knows his stuff. I can recommend someone if you like.

Hope this helps.

[sada10]

Originally Posted by Drumsound

YOu should be able to find a used Neotek Elte or Elan with aut for that money. Or maybe a Trident 80b or c.

What kind of money am I looking at for any one of the boards you listed ( new and used)?-are these desk high maintenence?

I am going to surf the net and see what kind of info. I can dig out.

My main priority is the automation, but I would love to have a board that has a warm Harrison 32 sound!

[contempo]

if you have up to $50k available, delivered & installed i wouldn't be looking at a $5000 neotek. pretty neutral sounding & supported sure, but there's others out there with better facilites & routing, not to mention TONE! mta 900 series are solid music desks, daking, harrison, amek media 51... refurbing an old desk could be another thing. get an mci & rebuild from scratch, build a hot rod! i really like uptown auto, more then ssl or the amek supertrue. maybe scour ebay until you find a deal on a desk with that installed. optifile which is clunky...no offline edits or anything and i think support is gone. those systems have gotta be at least 15 years old so good luck with parts.

[Ollie]

First find out why automation. Automation cost some serious moola. If you need automation and you like the Daking, then I believe the tonelux faders can be put into the daking desk. This is definitely cheaper than flying faders.

[JEFF GOSSARD]

Sada10,

I have a 36 channel Harrison Raven/MR4 console that i am selling. It's been completly recapped and rechipped and then i tore it down and have it stored. It sounds great.

If your interested I can fill you in on all the details.

jg

[anotheranalogguy]

I suggest a Neve 81 series. Sound great when properly maintained and within your budget.

Check 81series.com before buying one.

Originally Posted by sada10

and some descent to excellent pres-prefer to spend less then 50k!
Need to make a recommendation to a friend-what are some suggestions?

[GearHunter]

Of the 8108 and 8128, the 8128 is the more relaible, but is known for having switch issues. And of course when the routing matrix goes on the 81's, well, you're done-for.(Untill now apparently..??New part??)

They don't sound bad when they are working well, but you absolutely will need to have a tech nearby and access to parts.
The same could be said for the earlier Vs and 50-series desks, but I'd rather have one of those.

[anotheranalogguy]

The routing problem is no longer a problem
There's a new cpu card and software available from 81 series. It's PC based and won't break. I got one myself and it runs better than the original. Now I can save routing settings in my computer's drive.

Originally Posted by GearHunter

Of the 8108 and 8128, the 8128 is the more relaible, but is known for having switch issues. And of course when the routing matrix goes on the 81's, well, you're done-for.(Untill now apparently..??New part??)

They don't sound bad when they are working well, but you absolutely will need to have a tech nearby and access to parts.
The same could be said for the earlier Vs and 50-series desks, but I'd rather have one of those.

[yrplace]

what about a Sony w/ the API style eqs? I remember using a couple over the years and really liking the sound.

you might contact Wes Dooley at AEA and see if they have any for sale.

Mark

[crypticglobe]

Originally Posted by anotheranalogguy

The routing problem is no longer a problem
There's a new cpu card and software available from 81 series. It's PC based and won't break. I got one myself and it runs better than the original. Now I can save routing settings in my computer's drive.

lol... figures. It was either my Mozart or an 8128 and I didn't do the Neve because everyone kept warning me off on the routing module. I do love the Mozart... but I wish I had gotten the Neve. If nothing else because every time I say Amek, people always go... oh yeah... the "Big"... that's a cute little console. Then I have to educate them about how Rupert worked for Amek and designed the mic pre and EQ on this console and "the big" was one of the few NON-large format production consoles Amek made, and the Mozart is a great sounding desk......and half the time they seem mildly impressed, and the other half they look at me like I am pulling their leg.

I know it's stupid... but being able to show pictures of your studio with a big console in the middle of that says "Neve" on it... still sells days since the average customer doesn't spend nearly as much time on gearslutz as we slutz do.... lol!!

[Rufuss Sewell]

Just a heads up... I have a 32 channel Daking 1112 for sale in the classifieds section.

[stevep]

Originally Posted by crypticglobe

every time I say Amek, people always go... oh yeah... the "Big"... that's a cute little console. Then I have to educate them about how Rupert worked for Amek and designed the mic pre and EQ on this console

Im pretty sure Mr Neve did not have anything to do with the Amek Big



.

[stevep]

He also had nothing to do with the 8108, 8128



.

[patrox247]

Originally Posted by GearHunter

They don't sound bad when they are working well

I kind of disagree with that. Considering the sonics of the desks that preceded the Neve 8128, they sound like crud. The EQ's are kind of dark and definitely aren't sweet by any measure. Pretty much every aspect of the console was a substantial drop off from the earlier 80 series. Also, putting the technical issues aside (which are substantial), the 8128's master section looks SOooooooooo cheap. It looks like a Mcdonalds cash register.

[Fletcher]

While I agree that the "81" series was at best a nightmare and an abortion of audio... I have been exceptionally pleasantly surprised by the 8803 [or the 8801... I get the model numbers confused a lot] that AMS Neve just released... which is a redux of the "81" series EQ with "80" series looking knob caps just to further confuse. The equalizer when removed from that shit eatin' piece of garbage desk is really exceptionally lovely [much like the LogicFX G 383 is an amazing sounding pre and EQ when you get it out of an SSL desk!!].

I would personally avoid any "81" series desk like it caused testicular cancer... I would also avoid "Necam" like it too caused testicular cancer... but I'm a dealer so what would I know.

If I was you and you was me... I would go find myself something like an 80 Series Trident [or if you have or are a full time tech... a Trident "TSM"]... and a used Flying Faders or Uptown Automation system and get on with life... but that's probably just me which would have no baring on your world.

Peace.

[crypticglobe]

Originally Posted by stevep

Im pretty sure Mr Neve did not have anything to do with the Amek Big



.

You are correct. I was talking about my Mozart. It has 41 RN modules. The pre and EQ are fully designed by Rupert, and they sound amazing too. I was just saying that when I say "AMEK" people think "BIG" and often have never heard of jems like my Mozart, or even the 9098i!!

Everyone has heard of Neve though.... lol.

[in the red]

Originally Posted by sada10

My main priority is the automation, but I would love to have a board that has a warm Harrison 32 sound!

fletcher was faster, i wanted to suggest the same thing: trident 80´s sound "warm". go find one, with uptown or whatever automation. the desk is rock solid, but in order to keep the automation running find yourself a good tech! at least my uptown automation needs regular maintenace...

[studio1117]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

If I was you and you was me... I would go find myself something like an 80 Series Trident [or if you have or are a full time tech... a Trident "TSM"]... and a used Flying Faders or Uptown Automation system and get on with life... but that's probably just me which would have no baring on your world.

Peace.

I might be persuaded to sell my TSM for the right money.Mine is way beyond cool. All accopian power supplies, sealed pots for the good stuff(eq,pre, line etc),EQ faders were all replaced with those cool little tascam faders. lots of spare parts.
The whole console is working. Extra stuff that other tsm's don't have. for pics see my website.
I'd only sell if I join into a partnership with my buddy across town.

[plexisys]

I am pretty much a Neve junkie. However, I must agree 100% with "... would also avoid "Necam" like it too caused testicular cancer... " I would even say that is true of necam II. Even when Necam II came out most of the people at Neve would still suggest GML for automation.

[Meriphew]

I think the 8128 is a pretty damn good board to mix on. Great EQs. It's not as nice as an 80 series Neve, but it also doesn't cost anywhere near the same price.