omg!- the amek bc3

[goldphinga]

I just mixed an entire album itb then decided i would remix the singles from that album through my Amek BC3 36 channel desk.The difference was amazing.

After mixdown through the bc3 the whole mix stereo image had improved massively, there was a lovely warmth and coherence to the mix and the way all the instruments have now gelled together is very pleasing on the ears. The eq on this baby is super musical as well to boot. If you find one grab it as its one of those very underrated pieces.

If there is an example that analog summing is worth it then this has been it for me. No more ITB mixes now.

[FULL-DUPLEX]

Amen!

With the "small" Amek broadcast decks you can deliver a nice sound.

It is a time thing... They will raise in price!

[heyman]

I know a guy who bought a Amek Classic board from Upstate New York. I believe it was 40 inputs for $5600.00 ... That board is easily worth 35,000 ..

Same circuits as the Bc3 series I believe. Rupert Designed pres.

The guy selling it basically gave it away. The thing took 4 people to move it and it was a struggle.

Fukin a... Why cant I find a board like that!!!

[mltamisin]

Mine smokes too....so much that I only need one pair of outboard pre's. If I need a different sound I'll change the mics. The EQ is very nice. It's definitely the best thing I've purchased for my studio.....ever! I tried the outboard thing and it was just such a waste of money.

[Matt Syson]

Hi
About the only thing in common between the BC3 and Classic are the girls who assembled them and the guys who tested them. Actually not quite true, the same guy who did some design work on parts of the Classic did most of the BC3 (the boards with CB on them).
The BC3's run warm so keep the recap in mind.
The BC3 has a mic amp of Rupert Neve origin but the Classic uses a SSM2015 or on very rare occasions SSM2016. The balanced output drivers are NE5532 cross coupled on a Classic and a similar circuit but in thick film 'hybrid' form on the BC3.
Matt S

[heyman]

thanks Matt for setting me straight..

Either way, I happen to think they both sound lovely..!

[stillwalker]

i have one those for sale, everything works great; patchbays, powersurply's, all of it.

any idea what price tag i should put on it?

[worm]

hows $500 grab ya?

[crypticglobe]

It's a little bigger, but I get the same joy every time I mix one on my Amek Mozart RN (56 channel frame shortloaded to 40, but all RN modules).

You just can't get this this kind of warmth and width ITB...

jmtc...

[LeMauce]

Just found one here in france
on http://www.funkyjunkfrance.com/typelist-1-fr.htm 5000euro is like what... 7300USD. Meh, still a bargain for me here.
Do you have sample's of that desk men ?

[JordanR]

I have an amek bc 3 with no power supply available. e mail me at rohertyj@hotmail.com
it is located in oshawa ontario canada

[rhaley]

just pm'd 'ya

[Sqye]

Originally Posted by heyman

I know a guy who bought a Amek Classic board from Upstate New York. I believe it was 40 inputs for $5600.00 ... That board is easily worth 35,000 ..

Same circuits as the Bc3 series I believe. Rupert Designed pres.

The guy selling it basically gave it away. The thing took 4 people to move it and it was a struggle.

Fukin a... Why cant I find a board like that!!!

.

i was looking at that ad, i believe - and VERY tempted.

those things definitely ROCK!

.

[RobJB06]

Guys im interested, these broadcast desks sure do seem tempting but how do you get round the fact that they only have 4 aux sends/ returns?
I mean when im mixing a track, i want to use all my outboard, at the moment i use 2 stereo reverbs (480L and R880), then i have like an AMS delay, H3000, Primetime II, DP4 (all analogue in/out FX).. stuff like that.. i use a Ghost right now and would like to get an Amek or something, but they just seem to limited in terms of routing.
In someways i wonder if tracking with a nice colourful preamp, mixing otb on a ghost with a nice tube preamp on the 2 buss is still my best option.. the routing on the ghost is really hard to beat.. im sure a broadcast desk would sound a bit thicker and fatter.. but how much so.. wondering if its worth it??
Thoughts would be appreciated!

[Matt Syson]

Hi
Aux returns can be through channels, preferably stereo channels if you have them.
Yes it only has 4 Aux sends but depending on what you are trying to do you could send pre or post fade channel insert to an effects unit freeing up a dedicated aux bus. Depending on exact model of desk you have you could use 'group' buses as aux sends, it is only a 'label' that says they are a 'group, main or aux' .
Having a comprehensive patch would help immensely.
Tou could even consider a couple of 2 into 1 or 3 into 1 'passive mixers' on the patch if you need to sum channels (insert send pre or post) before going into effects.
There are many ways to skin a cat...
Matt S

[RobJB06]

Is there a real noticable sound improvement going from something like a Ghost to an Amek BC2... for mixing down stems from a DAW?

Are there any other broadcast desks that are worth looking out for, nothing too pricey though please..
Ideally what id like is something with transformer balanced in/outputs, nice sweet eq and about 6 aux (or more) sends..

[Matt Syson]

Hi
You are starting to ask the impossible!
Broadcast desks usually had up to 4 Auxes many have only 2 because they were only used for occasional 'effects' and not routine work. (A bit of echo to spice up a programme).
Many desks had transformers as options so you wil have to do your homework to find out which.
For example the AMEK Classic, BC2, BC3 all had options for them but were not routinely fitted.
EQ, many broadcast desks have top bottom and maybe a sweepable mid plus filters, a few had a bit more. Most of the Calrecs tended to have transformers as did early Audix.
Bear in mind that broadcast desks were often 'custom' so you have odd 'stuff' going on with metering and the meterhood section, telephone balance units and tape starts.
Decent quality desks are likely to have been well hammered in a radio situation and replacing a set of P+G faders will get pricey if necessary.
Talk to Don Larking or Funky Junk if in Europe.
Matt S