Sony DMX R100

[jlacck]

Anyone in here familiar with the Sony DMX R100? I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw one at a pawn shop today for $3600. Anybody know the scoop on this board? Is that a good or a bad price?

[boon]

never used one. but i know it gets discussed from time to time on the forum. i don't think it's made anymore and i'm unsure about how well it's supported by Sony

Sony DMX-R100, Still a buy?

Sony DMX not working. Help!!

Sony DMX-R100 problem!

[LeoLeoLeo]

That's an ok price but being in a pawn shop, what has it been thru?

They are good digital consoles for the size.

I've cut a few things on/thru them. Be sure to zero out between sessions!!!

[rickrock305]

I like that console a lot, sounds good and great features. Haven't used one in years, and I'm not sure I'd be buying one now let alone out of a pawn shop. Also I'm pretty sure they are no longer supported by Sony.

[LeoLeoLeo]

They are not. They have a few parts still around. When they go out, the whole shuts down usually.

[digitrax]

Sorry for the late reply - just caught this post.

I'm the proud owner and servicer of DMX-R100 and I have to tell you they are GREAT boards (for a digital mixer that is). Routing is unbelievable - assigning any bank of eight channels/faders/inputs/outputs/auxes/etc. to any other is three touches of the screen. Assigning any single aux/fader/talkback/test oscillator/bus out/main out/channel in/physical in/etc. to anything is four touches. The mic pre's aren't "character"y but are much quieter and have much more headroom than anything I've ever encountered in a digital board. Each channel has five fully parametric bands plus high and low shelf and adjustable notch filter, plus an adjustable-depth gate/expander/ducker which can key off any channel and has 9 different knees. The EQ's run at 88.2/96K, 32 bit even when the board is throughputting 44.1/48K, making them especially smooth - (same EQ as the Sony Oxford's "EQ A", giving this board the nickname "Baby Oxford").

Usually if anything goes, it's the power inverter on the touchscreen backlight and yes, you can get them, but no, Sony no longer supports the board. There is however a "DMX-R100 user's group" on Yahoo Groups that's pretty active. At $3600, it's worth serious consideration.

A few caveats though:

1 - If the software version isn't at least 2.0 (you can upgrade to the latest 2.23 very easily as long as it is), you're gonna have a bear of a time finding a 1.0 to 2.0 upgrade disk (1.0 can't read DOS-formatted disks the way 2.0 can so you can't just download one).

2 - Although you have plenty of ins, if you want more than 8 outs (besides the mains), you're gonna wanna dig up a DMBK-R102 (8 analog output card) for it which will take time.

3 - If you run 88.2/96K, you'll lose half you're channels (24 instead of 48) and you'll only have 4 busses. (The busses aren't that big a deal since grouping faders mechanically is so easy, but losing channels and auxes kinda sucks).

All that being said, I've been very happy with mine and plan to run it into the ground.

In any event, good luck.

[s.d.finley]

I owned a DMX R100 for several years and enjoyed the console when it was working. The DMX has wonderful conversion for being made around 2000/2001. Everything on it, mic pres, compression, eq, and the amazing routing (it really is) is bar none for a desk under 10k. However, (you knew that was coming!) when the DMX stops working get ready to pay up. Since its in a pawn shop, I would run away. You have no idea about the history of the desk. There is only one place that services the DMX, Sony Pro in Teaneck NJ and supposedly they are ceasing service this year 2012, or that's what they told me in 2010. Perhaps its changed now. FWIW, I sold mine for $3500 after being fully serviced by Sony. I do miss the routing and the EQs, they are very nice.

Also, parts are a bitch to find. The parts store, also in NJ, stocks parts at a premium. This was the ONLY place I could find parts.
If you can talk the pawn shop down to $2k, maybe.