Tonelux 8 channel portable mixer

[GJS]

I'm too excited not to share ... I finally received my 8 channel portable mixer from the mad Dr. Wolff. He asserts I was the first to implement this configuration, but I can't IMAGINE Paul saying that to make me feel good ...

This is intended for instances when for whatever reason I stray from my stated desire for stereo (or dual stereo) location recording and want to record live to 2 track with 8 sources. I'll spare you the rest of the sordid gear details except to say it's all going to an Aria ATR 102 one inch two track

In terms of the Tonelux, for anyone interested in this type of thing, the power and flexibility it offers is unbelievable - not to mention, it sounds superb. When looking at the back, this is what's going on:

FX2 in A1-4= XLR input 1-4
FX2 in B1-4= XLR insert 1-4
FX2 has no outs.

SM2 summing (mix) amp out (send to compressor) XLR input 5-6 (you have to use an XLR turnaround, male to male)

SM2 Fader in (comp return) XLR insert input 5-6

SM2 MASTER STEREO FEED XLR- output 5-6. Stereo mix bus out. it goes to the recorder and "y"s to the XLR input if the CR2, input 7-8. Press "ST" on the CR2 and there it is.

CR2 "ST" MNTR in- input 7-8
CR2 "EXT1" in

Super cool! Thanks, Paul.

[Plush]

Thank you for posting this beauty!

I'm interested to know about the tone and timbre of this box.

Is is suitable for classical music in your opinion?

[GJS]

I expect it will be wonderful. We have (at work - this is my personal rig) a 24-channel Tonelux console, tracking to a Radar, and recorded Ana Vidovic performing classical guitar (not yet released - 1 studio and 1 live abum, she's a machine! The Barrios in particular is gorgeous) using Paul's pre's and the Tonelux as a board - and, it sounds wonderful. I'll PM you when we have material to share, you can listen for yourself.

[fifthcircle]

Pretty sexy little setup there...

--Ben

[matyas]

Originally Posted by GJS

I'll spare you the rest of the sordid gear details except to say it's all going to an Aria ATR 102 one inch two track

Please do share the reset of the sordid details! I can only imagine what a 1" ATR 102 must sound like. I get to use a 1/2" ATR with Aria electronics at work, and at 30 ips, with no noise reduction, it is the best-sounding recording/playback device I've yet heard. Full-frequency, full dynamic range, no tape hiss.

[Remoteness]

Awesome!

Who's supplying your one inch tape stock these days?

[GJS]

Re: tape, I am using ATR, waiting on my order to arrive (which should happen soon) and hope to have a session within the month. Trick is finding the time, this is outside of work hours...

[Jim vanBergen]

This unit looks pretty sweet, but I'm a little weirded out by some things.
I expected 1-8 XLRs on the back to be either aligned differently or labelled.
As you aren't using preamps in this mixer, I understand it does not follow standard topology for input/insert/output.

What do the 1/4" TRS outputs go to? Main mix? Insert?
Whats the unlabelled 254pin dsub at the top next to the 1/4" jacks?

Is there a headphone output? Maybe its those two 1/4" jacks...

I thought all the inserts were single point send/return as on the preamps, but it seems the buss insert is truly balanced? Can you confirm?

Does the unit come with any paperwork that shows how the dsubs are allocated?

Have you measured the meters to see where they are calibrated? How much headroom do you have?

Is there a master fader? The large knob says control room, so that's not it...I'm a little weirded out by that.

Are you using a similar 8 channel Tonelux preamp rack for inputs?

It looks like a very nice solution for mixing/summing four stereo pairs.

Can you tell us how much this set you back?

Thanks! And thanks AGAIN for sharing, this is a COOL solution for location work!!!!



JvB

[Jim vanBergen]

those 1/4" jacks are for outboard master faders, aren't they?

It dawned on me...a little late.

JvB

[GJS]

Yes & master fader is on the SM2.