super simple 4x2 summing???

hollywood_steve · 6th July 2002, 05:00 AM

The quest continues for an extremely straightforward method of summing 3 or 4 microphones to the stereo bus. When recording on location live to 2 track, there are times when a 3rd and 4th mic are unavoidable; but then I can't just send the mics straight to the left and right channels. With no need for mic preamps, EQ, Aux sends or most other mixer features, there has got to be a better answer than a cheap Mackie mixer. I just need some device to sum 4 line level channels down to 2 outputs. (with panning and level control, but nothing more.)

I've learned that no product like this exists; the hi-end mixers from Manley and others almost always offer 16 inputs and lots of other unnecessary (to me) features. but it can't be too difficult to design and build. Any ideas on where to look for ideas or assistance?

thanks

steve
lex125@pacbell.net

JayCrouch · 6th July 2002, 06:40 AM

sounds like you might be better off looking into one of two options:

1) a used da-38 for a couple hundred bucks

2) a mac laptop and motu interface

out of curiosity, are you using a stereo pair for a band's music, and wanting to mix in a vocal mic or two?

I know you may not want to impart digital into your recordings, yet you always need to look at the scale of what mixing live will offer you, against the option of being able to mix your signals in your monitoring environment.

you might want to call some location sound places such as:
www.coffeysound.com
www.trewaudio.com

places like those cater to foley and all sorts of mobile audio nuts, so they might just have some sort of small format mixer laying around.

6th July 2002, 03:31 PM

API make a

4 x mic pre

With a 4 into 2 stereo mixer

+ one stereo Aux send & return

All in a 1U rack mount

I think it is called - API 3214 + M

I have the same unit WITHOUT the mixer option & regret not getting it.

That should work very well and be V handy OFF location as well. You will have to 'mix' with fiddly little knobs, but it will ROCK!

Summit also make one, but it is 2U high / heavier and has no pre's, it's purely a 'line mixer'.

hollywood_steve · 8th July 2002, 01:17 AM

API make a
4 x mic pre
With a 4 into 2 stereo mixer
+ one stereo Aux send & return
All in a 1U rack mount
I think it is called - API 3214 + M
I have the same unit WITHOUT the mixer option & regret not getting it.
******************************
The 3124M would be my first choice if I didn't already have a bunch of outboard preamps; I really ONLY need the summing feature. But API has been promoting their 7600/7800 models for a couple of years and they are said to be actually available! The 7800 is the master section for the 7600 input strips. Does anyone know of any reason that the 7800 wouldn't work with any line level inputs, like the ones from my preamps? (I'm really hoping that this isn't some sort of "system" where the 7800 only works with 7600 inputs...) The 7800 seems like the answer to my original question. Anybody know more about these units?

Thanks.
Steve

8th July 2002, 01:30 AM

Does the Summit unit not spin your fan?

Jay Kahrs · 8th July 2002, 07:24 AM

Someone had spoken to either John Hardy or Dan Kennedy about making a similar beast a while ago and it can be done. Probably not cheap though. Looks like it might have to be a Mackie for now.

9th July 2002, 02:42 PM

Summit - hello?

hollywood_steve · 10th July 2002, 02:31 AM

#1, no longer in production
#2. total production was maybe a handful
#3 I've never seen a used unit for sale
#4 I could probably have a custom 4x2 passive mixer built for far less than the nearly $4k (if I remember correctly) that Summit charged.

I'm looking for something just as high quality but far less fancy; more like a larger version of the Line Mixer on Brent's site:
http://www.brentaverill.com/#linemixer

but if a Summit fell out of the sky......

steve

10th July 2002, 02:56 AM

Ahh! OK thanks for the up-date, I understand now.

Real long shot here, try HHB in the UK and ask if they still have the Summit line mixer sent over from the US 3 years ago for me to try (and not buy)!

I saw it in a 'sale' fax ages ago.....

Thats a long shot! Try it!

Summit is relativly unknown in the UK

sales@hhb.co.uk

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10th July 2002, 02:31 AM	#8
hollywood_steve Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: uh..... Hollywood Posts: 1,170	summit 4x 2 #1, no longer in production #2. total production was maybe a handful #3 I've never seen a used unit for sale #4 I could probably have a custom 4x2 passive mixer built for far less than the nearly $4k (if I remember correctly) that Summit charged. I'm looking for something just as high quality but far less fancy; more like a larger version of the Line Mixer on Brent's site: http://www.brentaverill.com/#linemixer but if a Summit fell out of the sky...... steve

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6th July 2002, 05:00 AM	#1
hollywood_steve Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: uh..... Hollywood Posts: 1,170	super simple 4x2 summing??? The quest continues for an extremely straightforward method of summing 3 or 4 microphones to the stereo bus. When recording on location live to 2 track, there are times when a 3rd and 4th mic are unavoidable; but then I can't just send the mics straight to the left and right channels. With no need for mic preamps, EQ, Aux sends or most other mixer features, there has got to be a better answer than a cheap Mackie mixer. I just need some device to sum 4 line level channels down to 2 outputs. (with panning and level control, but nothing more.) I've learned that no product like this exists; the hi-end mixers from Manley and others almost always offer 16 inputs and lots of other unnecessary (to me) features. but it can't be too difficult to design and build. Any ideas on where to look for ideas or assistance? thanks steve lex125@pacbell.net

6th July 2002, 06:40 AM	#2
JayCrouch Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: CT Posts: 296	Re: super simple 4x2 summing??? sounds like you might be better off looking into one of two options: 1) a used da-38 for a couple hundred bucks 2) a mac laptop and motu interface out of curiosity, are you using a stereo pair for a band's music, and wanting to mix in a vocal mic or two? I know you may not want to impart digital into your recordings, yet you always need to look at the scale of what mixing live will offer you, against the option of being able to mix your signals in your monitoring environment. you might want to call some location sound places such as: www.coffeysound.com www.trewaudio.com places like those cater to foley and all sorts of mobile audio nuts, so they might just have some sort of small format mixer laying around. __________________ Jay Crouch Crouch@optonline.net 203-521-9520

6th July 2002, 03:31 PM	#3
Jules Guest Posts: n/a	API make a 4 x mic pre With a 4 into 2 stereo mixer + one stereo Aux send & return All in a 1U rack mount I think it is called - API 3214 + M I have the same unit WITHOUT the mixer option & regret not getting it. That should work very well and be V handy OFF location as well. You will have to 'mix' with fiddly little knobs, but it will ROCK! Summit also make one, but it is 2U high / heavier and has no pre's, it's purely a 'line mixer'.

8th July 2002, 01:17 AM	#4
hollywood_steve Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: uh..... Hollywood Posts: 1,170	super simple 4x2 summing??? API make a 4 x mic pre With a 4 into 2 stereo mixer + one stereo Aux send & return All in a 1U rack mount I think it is called - API 3214 + M I have the same unit WITHOUT the mixer option & regret not getting it. ****************************** The 3124M would be my first choice if I didn't already have a bunch of outboard preamps; I really ONLY need the summing feature. But API has been promoting their 7600/7800 models for a couple of years and they are said to be actually available! The 7800 is the master section for the 7600 input strips. Does anyone know of any reason that the 7800 wouldn't work with any line level inputs, like the ones from my preamps? (I'm really hoping that this isn't some sort of "system" where the 7800 only works with 7600 inputs...) The 7800 seems like the answer to my original question. Anybody know more about these units? Thanks. Steve

8th July 2002, 01:30 AM	#5
Jules Guest Posts: n/a	Does the Summit unit not spin your fan?

9th July 2002, 02:42 PM	#7
Jules Guest Posts: n/a	Summit - hello?

10th July 2002, 02:56 AM	#9
Jules Guest Posts: n/a	Ahh! OK thanks for the up-date, I understand now. Real long shot here, try HHB in the UK and ask if they still have the Summit line mixer sent over from the US 3 years ago for me to try (and not buy)! I saw it in a 'sale' fax ages ago..... Thats a long shot! Try it! Summit is relativly unknown in the UK sales@hhb.co.uk