API 1608 User Manual?

[dubrichie]

alrighty,

can anyone sort me out with a .pdf file of the User Manual for the API 1608?

it's not available on API's website.

i'm currently re-thinking my console needs and want to figure out the 1608 from top to toe.

thanks,

[dubrichie]

BUMP!

[prairiedog]

You can get it here:

Studio Manuals

Demetris

[Kronos147]

Wow!

I was surprised to see that the console doesn't have a phase switch per channel, only on the mic pre.

Also, I see 8 connections per channel; Mic in, line in, Instrument in, Preamp out, EQ In, Insert send, Insert return, and Direct out. Seems to me that would be an excellent spot for a Dsub 25 pin connector. The connectors per channel could be less than $5 per channel as opposed to the cost of 1 XRL-F + 2 XLR-M + 5 TRS, which you figure is gonna be about $25 per channel.

The interesting thing API did with this console is to make it so one can order it without EQ. The math works like this:

Base model (with 12 x 550a's and 4 x 560's) = $49,900
subtract $1016 for each 550a removed ($12,192 for 12)
subtract $676 for each 560 removed ($2704 for 4)
1608 no EQ = $35,004

Expander $39,900
no Eq = $25,004

32 Channel mixer (no EQ)
$60,008 + tax + title + license

This could be a good way to go if you already have some 500 series EQ, you really want a console, and can add some more EQ later. I wonder if API had gone with a modular approach to the mic pres in the board if they could have lowered the cost for the "base model" even more.

Lastly, I see the fader packs are modular. I like this approach. My console has modular faderpacks, VCA based. Each module also has a 9 D-Sub connection for muting and soloing. At some point my console has the potential for (custom) motorized or VCA controlled automation. It seems as if the 1608 would need customization for those provisions.

I liked the concept of this console so much more before I read that manual! Ignorance is bliss!!!!!

[dubrichie]

thanks Demetris!

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by Kronos147

Wow!

I was surprised to see that the console doesn't have a phase switch per channel, only on the mic pre.

I have a 1608 .the phase switches [on every ch] work for mic or line no prob

Originally Posted by Kronos147

Lastly, I see the fader packs are modular. I like this approach. My console has modular faderpacks, VCA based. Each module also has a 9 D-Sub connection for muting and soloing. At some point my console has the potential for (custom) motorized or VCA controlled automation. It seems as if the 1608 would need customization for those provisions.

API auto is in the works.i believe the Shadow mix system will work fine w/ the 1608

Originally Posted by Kronos147

I liked the concept of this console so much more before I read that manual! Ignorance is bliss!!!!!

Try using one in person before you draw any conclusions.
its seriously a great little console .although it isn't in line.. uber flexible for tracking/mixing and above all it sounds like the real deal.
similar to my experiences using older API consoles,IMO the mic pres and eqs sound even better in this thing than just using a standalone 550 series rack.
I'm using a cool old class A discrete Neve as well and it holds up in spades.
My buddy just used one to track a good portion of The Frays[they bought one] new record and loved it as well

Hey Richie.I have a PDF if you need it

[jsteiger]

Originally Posted by Kronos147

Wow!

I was surprised to see that the console doesn't have a phase switch per channel, only on the mic pre.

It's a bit of terminology confusion. The old API boards are the same way. "Preamp" does not mean MIC preamp. It can be "mic preamp" or "line preamp". They are referring to the 1st amplifier stage of the channel module. So, if you take a signal from the "preamp out" jack, that signal will be either mic or line, depending upon the mic select button.

I can only assume the polarity is handled in roughly the same way on the new boards as the old. The "preamp" out is transformer balanced. The polarity is flipped by a switch that swaps the signal and ground traces that feed that trafo. Either mic or line.

The new boards are great and feature packed. But they do not sound like the old ones, IMHO. They are wider and more open for sure. Not as gooey sounding. Some may call it cloudy. Must listen for yourself.

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

similar to my experiences using older API consoles,IMO the mic pres and eqs sound even better in this thing than just using a standalone 550 series rack.

A racked 312 to tape is 1-2520 and 1-2503 trafo.

The preamp out on vintage desk would be the same except a 2623-1 trafo instead of the 2503.

A direct out taken from a channel on the desk is 2-2520's, 2-2623-1 trafo's PLUS whatever module is in the 500 EQ slot on the desk. (Maybe 2 more 2520's and a 2503 trafo)

Let's bus that same signal to the multi-track (old school style, and I don't mean OSA), we loose the direct out 2623-1 trafo as the signal to the buses is taken just before it, we gain another 2520 and a 2623-4 trafo on the summing ACA, then we come to a 325 booster with another 2520 and a 2503 trafo out to tape.

To summarize, a line or mic signal to the bus out travels thru 4-2520's, 2-2623's and 1-2503. Add 2-2520's and another 2503 if you have say a 550a in the eq slot. This is why a 312 will NEVER sound like a vintage desk. We have to reiterate that the 312 uses a 2503 while the preamp on the board is a 2623 transformer.

I guess it all adds up.

BTW, I made sure to use “bus” in case John Roberts stops by!

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by vin-gear

The new boards are great and feature packed. But they do not sound like the old ones, IMHO. They are wider and more open for sure. Not as gooey sounding. Some may call it cloudy. Must listen for yourself.

Yes.The 1608 sounds a lot like a Firlotte modded 3288 i used to use. a bit wider,clearer, open 2 bus

Originally Posted by vin-gear

A racked 312 to tape is 1-2520 and 1-2503 trafo.

The preamp out on vintage desk would be the same except a 2623-1 trafo instead of the 2503.

A direct out taken from a channel on the desk is 2-2520's, 2-2623-1 trafo's PLUS whatever module is in the 500 EQ slot on the desk. (Maybe 2 more 2520's and a 2503 trafo)

Let's bus that same signal to the multi-track (old school style, and I don't mean OSA), we loose the direct out 2623-1 trafo as the signal to the buses is taken just before it, we gain another 2520 and a 2623-4 trafo on the summing ACA, then we come to a 325 booster with another 2520 and a 2503 trafo out to tape.

To summarize, a line or mic signal to the bus out travels thru 4-2520's, 2-2623's and 1-2503. Add 2-2520's and another 2503 if you have say a 550a in the eq slot. This is why a 312 will NEVER sound like a vintage desk. We have to reiterate that the 312 uses a 2503 while the preamp on the board is a 2623 transformer.

I guess it all adds up.

thumbsup