Desk of your dreams

[Mats]

It would be unbelievable cool to be able to customize your own mixer. Lets say you have 8 ch. of API, Neve and SSL each, every strip with pre, eq and comp. Plus meters, busses and a master section of your choice.

Lunchboxes or rackstrips are cool but in the end you want a big desk.

[Reptil]

I'm building one. Takes forever. But worth it. I found a good tech. Don't have two left hands, but everyone has their speciality. Mine's mixing, his is electronics. Calculate finding a person like that in your plans.

[Kronos147]

I have two concepts right now, a really small foot print discreet line mixer and a discreet 8 buss line mixer. Both would be based on the API width so that 500 series EQ's can be incorporated.

http://www.kronosrecording.com/VSI/vsilineconsole.jpg

http://www.kronosrecording.com/VSI/vsi8buss.jpg

The line mixer could be have an upper row of buckets too for 500 series EQ's.

I think the 8 buss will be the better fit. I think the line console would be a fantastic solution for (budget) OTB.

[Dirty Halo]

I would like something like the ATB size and style, those EQ, then a customized Dangerous 2-Buss style center section, a few more aux/sends and returns, then SSL style comps on each channels and SSL classic G-series 2-buss comp and THEN a Quad 8 style front end on pres... or a modern Quad 8 that was in the size range of the the AT... lastly a meter bridge.

NOW we're smoking!

This is a compliment to all those people, btw. Just dreams, taking the best from all.

-andrews

[allencollins]

My dream desk would be a bunch of original Focusrite pres
with some SSL buss comps. I would only need 16 channels of
pres and maybe 4- 6 comps.

[666666]

I personally think the best thing to do is have one ultra stripped down MIXER with good faders, something clean, something with lots of channels but not too big or too heavy... say like a 32-channel Speck LiLo for instance. Then just have all your choice outboard inserted. Done.

This type of set-up is GREAT because it's totally "modular". You can add or subtract gear at any time. You can configure things differently per session. You have total control, total flexibility. When you need to move things, no problem... everything comes apart easily... unlike with a giant multi-hundred pound console.

The concept of having one all-inclusive "desk" is nice, it looks neat and clean etc, but has a lot of disadvantages. I got over the craving for a Cadillac sized desk long ago and am happy configuring gear per situation by merely mating up choice pieces of outboard gear with small mixers.

[jindrich]

I know what the best console EVER is


take a 8068 and cut it into pieces, put them into a big rack and replace all knobs and switches by Digital Analog Controllers, so the entire desk is fully instant resettable.

Now put those racks in a machine room and control the entire thing with an Euphonix System 5-MC


easy.

[dubrichie]

well i'd be happy as a pig in shit with the Gravity 8058 that Vintage King now owns.

you hear me Mike?

i'm going to start playing the lotto.

[Mats]

Originally Posted by 666666

I personally think the best thing to do is have one ultra stripped down MIXER with good faders, something clean, something with lots of channels but not too big or too heavy... say like a 32-channel Speck LiLo for instance. Then just have all your choice outboard inserted. Done.

This type of set-up is GREAT because it's totally "modular". You can add or subtract gear at any time. You can configure things differently per session. You have total control, total flexibility. When you need to move things, no problem... everything comes apart easily... unlike with a giant multi-hundred pound console.

The concept of having one all-inclusive "desk" is nice, it looks neat and clean etc, but has a lot of disadvantages. I got over the craving for a Cadillac sized desk long ago and am happy configuring gear per situation by merely mating up choice pieces of outboard gear with small mixers.

I didn´t think of this(duh) but you´re right, this would be even better. Very cool.
About your way of working, how do you configure the outboards and the mixers, and what are you using?

[Bob Olhsson]

I'd want it split with one side for mixing and the other for mikes.

[gainstages]

while not really a console, I'm working on building my dream desk. I am having a custom desk made that will match my room and is laid out the way i want it. I should have it in about 2 weeks.

then, I'll fill the desk with the equipment I want - think of the whole concept that Tonelux is presenting for example.

thats my goal. fill it up now with what I have and slowly over time I add faders (euphonix fader packs) build in the meters, pre's, compressors, and eq's that i like, put in a patch section to allow flexibility, and of course, build in a monitoring section.

a little at a time, and I don't need to be an electronics expert, just a gear nut... :-)

[bongo]

I have my dream desk. I record everything the way I want it to sound, and then I tweak it as needed until the project is done. Every day, when I recall the song, it sounds just like it did the day before, and it sounds great.

It's called A DAW!

Sorry, works for me.

What do I know?

I haven't had one and have no desire to work on an analog console since I sold my last one in 1995.

[666666]

Originally Posted by Mats

I didn´t think of this (duh) but you're right, this would be even better. Very cool. About your way of working, how do you configure the outboards and the mixers, and what are you using?

Configuration is quite simple. Just take the outputs of the playback system, go right into the outboard gear of choice (for instance say an API 550B eq and API 225L compressor per channel), then go into the analog mixer for summing. You can of course use whatever outboard you want, where ever you want. I've used assorted mixers in the past (not always prime choice units, but whatever was available that was adequate), but I'm now looking closely at the new Speck LiLo which seems to be perfect for this type of set-up... super clean, 100mm faders, etc.... a nice "clean slate" mixer to sum outboard colors of choice.

By the way I do not track through this system. This is for mixing only. For tracking, I stack up a bunch of outboard mic pres of choice, plug the mics directly in, and take the outputs of the pres directly into the recorder. I've worked this way since day one. I know some guys feel a need to track through a console, I have a hard time wrapping my head around this concept, I like to go in as "direct" and clean as possible.... which means mic to pre to recorder with no mixer involved. I guess you need a mixer for tracking if you are going to blend multiple mics onto one recorder track etc, but I personally don't do that. Every method has its limitations.

One big downside to my method... lots of patchwork. You either need a whole bunch of high quality patchbays (which can be time consuming / expensive to set up), or you need to have a lot of good cables on hand, and things will turn to spaghetti pretty quick. Last time I had to break down the gear after a mix, it took like a whole day just to untangle and remove all the cables... probably a hundred cables, all over the place... it can get ugly. Snakes don't seem to work well either because often the gear is spread around the room and you will want to patch things in every direction after a while, so I find I need a bunch of single cables. This is one good reason to have a nice "desk" where everything is hardwired into a frame, nice and clean, no cables, etc. Again, every method has its lmitations, pros, cons, etc.

I don't mind putting up with the patching issues in order to have a set-up that is ultra flexible and totally mobile. This works best for me at this time.

I'll see if I have any pics of past set-ups... if so, I'll post.

[walth]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

I'd want it split with one side for mixing and the other for mikes.

i agree. a quad eight/electrodyne desk and a bag full of neumann, akg, telefunken, and RCA mics.

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by jindrich

I know what the best console EVER is


take a 8068 and cut it into pieces, put them into a big rack and replace all knobs and switches by Digital Analog Controllers, so the entire desk is fully instant resettable.

Now put those racks in a machine room and control the entire thing with an Euphonix System 5-MC


easy.

Hi

While not an 8068, Pete Townsend had Neve make him a custom multitrack console that fitted into the wardrobes of his bedroom.

I wonder what happened to it?

[Mats]

Originally Posted by 666666

Configuration is quite simple. Just take the outputs of the playback system, go right into the outboard gear of choice (for instance say an API 550B eq and API 225L compressor per channel), then go into the analog mixer for summing. You can of course use whatever outboard you want, where ever you want. I've used assorted mixers in the past (not always prime choice units, but whatever was available that was adequate), but I'm now looking closely at the new Speck LiLo which seems to be perfect for this type of set-up... super clean, 100mm faders, etc.... a nice "clean slate" mixer to sum outboard colors of choice.

By the way I do not track through this system. This is for mixing only. For tracking, I stack up a bunch of outboard mic pres of choice, plug the mics directly in, and take the outputs of the pres directly into the recorder. I've worked this way since day one. I know some guys feel a need to track through a console, I have a hard time wrapping my head around this concept, I like to go in as "direct" and clean as possible.... which means mic to pre to recorder with no mixer involved. I guess you need a mixer for tracking if you are going to blend multiple mics onto one recorder track etc, but I personally don't do that. Every method has its limitations.

One big downside to my method... lots of patchwork. You either need a whole bunch of high quality patchbays (which can be time consuming / expensive to set up), or you need to have a lot of good cables on hand, and things will turn to spaghetti pretty quick. Last time I had to break down the gear after a mix, it took like a whole day just to untangle and remove all the cables... probably a hundred cables, all over the place... it can get ugly. Snakes don't seem to work well either because often the gear is spread around the room and you will want to patch things in every direction after a while, so I find I need a bunch of single cables. This is one good reason to have a nice "desk" where everything is hardwired into a frame, nice and clean, no cables, etc. Again, every method has its lmitations, pros, cons, etc.

I don't mind putting up with the patching issues in order to have a set-up that is ultra flexible and totally mobile. This works best for me at this time.

I'll see if I have any pics of past set-ups... if so, I'll post.

2x devil: Thanks for replying. The way i was thinking about this goes something like this:

From Aurora 16 to a patchbay. From that patch you´ll be able to patch in any way you want. API pre to a SSL comp to a neve EQ etc.

So far so good. Now, you want to send let´s say 8 channels to a buss. Where you also have the ability to patch to any comp, eq of your choice of course. How do you do that if your not using a mixer? (i would guess a summingmixer with insert ability of some sort??)

Subsequently you have some kind of master/summingsection, where you once again can patch to a comp, eq, limiter etc

If you want you could add the new Euphonix mixfaders if you still want to have the faders OTB. All this nicely fitted into one selfmade desk/unit/workstation. All the FX like reverb deley etc is done ITB. If this is doable it means you can buy the units/modules one by one and when you can afford them. Also it would be a hell of a desk.

[Mats]

Originally Posted by gainstages

while not really a console, I'm working on building my dream desk. I am having a custom desk made that will match my room and is laid out the way i want it. I should have it in about 2 weeks.

then, I'll fill the desk with the equipment I want - think of the whole concept that Tonelux is presenting for example.

thats my goal. fill it up now with what I have and slowly over time I add faders (euphonix fader packs) build in the meters, pre's, compressors, and eq's that i like, put in a patch section to allow flexibility, and of course, build in a monitoring section.

a little at a time, and I don't need to be an electronics expert, just a gear nut... :-)

This is exactly what i´m talking about. Gotta check out tonelux.

[robot gigante]

Originally Posted by walth

i agree. a quad eight/electrodyne desk and a bag full of neumann, akg, telefunken, and RCA mics.

Make mine a Sphere.

[vernier]

Mine's custom built, all tube, vintage. Effects sends are powered by Neve.

[Audio Hombre]

Originally Posted by vernier

Mine's custom built, all tube, vintage. Effects sends are powered by Neve.

pics please

[Bob Olhsson]

I'd want full on input channels for the mixing side and not just a monitor mixer. The idea is to be able to record against the context of a full mix at all times.

[tomdarude]

Can I have a 48ch. Duality with 24ch. of Wunder PEQ2´s instead on the left side ??
hmmmmm.....maybe modded summing section with switchable summing-amps...dunno....but I think I´d like that....along a Chandler side-car


a man can dream....can he?

[TanTan]

Originally Posted by Mats

It would be unbelievable cool to be able to customize your own mixer. Lets say you have 8 ch. of API, Neve and SSL each, every strip with pre, eq and comp. Plus meters, busses and a master section of your choice.

Lunchboxes or rackstrips are cool but in the end you want a big desk.

Yes it is.. i've spent four years with my tech and two more employees to build the desk of my dreams.. will start a new thread aout it soon, it's a line console with 16 mono channels with GML\Sontec EQ's , discrete transistor class a amps on input stage and fader boosters, 10 transparent stereo channels to use with outboard on inserts (5500s , pultecs, 1064's etc.), two summing busses (active and passive) both discrete transistor on board compressors and a mastering console with mastering transfer chane controller 100% passive as a control room module.. there is nothing like it.. it's heaven to mix on this beast

[666666]

Originally Posted by TanTan

...it's a line console with 16 mono channels with GML\Sontec EQ's, discrete transistor class a amps on input stage and fader boosters, 10 transparent stereo channels...

Wow... now I'm really jealous.

Please post about this soon with pics and details, etc.

[TanTan]

Originally Posted by 666666

Wow... now I'm really jealous.

Please post about this soon with pics and details, etc.

well.. spending four years building a monster like that, putting all your money into the design and buying tons of stuff you are not going use only for testing like transformers, opamps etc. and spending redicolous amount of time for testing what works better with what (that was the fun of it actually) and hope that one day the thing will be up and running is a great experience but in the same time VERY frustrating.

but when it's done.. it's another story .. i'm looking at it and say YEAH WE DID IT !!
a 100% custom made full format console..and one of the best ones in existance, some engineers who has worked on it will back me up on this one