Analog summing devices

[Matthew D]

I'm looking for an analog summing solution. I know of a few boxes out there, Dangerous 2 Buss, Folcrom, Inward connections, API, but does anyone have experience with any of these (I don't), and are there more out there.
My problem is that I would like to incorporate some outboard comps and eq's, but with some of these companies you have to buy another box along with the summing box, often costing the same or more.
Is there a 16 ch analog console out there that has a good sounding mix buss. For me, that might solve the outboard patching, monitoring, and summing problems. The pres and eq's on the mixer aren't as important.
Price is somewhat of an issue. I also have to budget in 16 channels of quality D to A converters. Any suggestions for those as well?

Thanks Guys and Gals

[Ollie]

I went with the API 8200 solution about 4 months ago and have been very pleased with it. I got 24 8200 channels with 7800 master. It all works very well. All my pres, Eq's, comps are tied into a TT patch bay. This setup works extremely well for me. Very easy to use and the sound is great. No complaints at all. The7800 is a very flexible and useful master section. Several pairs of speakers can be used as well as interfacing with several playback devices.

I have not tried any of the solutions you mentioned so I cannot speak to them. One of my colleagues has a very nice Neve board and has owned several vintage consoles. He was very impressed with the sonics of the API.

I know Chandler is coming out with a modular console in the near future. It can be configured as a line console and be built up to add channel strips and comps etc.

Good Luck

[Matthew D]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ollie
I got 24 8200 channels with 7800 master.


Thanks for the reply Ollie. I bet that set up sounds great. Unfortunately, that's a bit out of my price range. What did that set you back, about 8k?
I still have to allow $ for 16 ch of dac.

Thanks again

[deft_bonz]

Originally posted by Matthew D
I'm looking for an analog summing solution. I know of a few boxes out there, Dangerous 2 Buss, Folcrom, Inward connections, API, but does anyone have experience with any of these (I don't), and are there more out there.
My problem is that I would like to incorporate some outboard comps and eq's, but with some of these companies you have to buy another box along with the summing box, often costing the same or more.
Is there a 16 ch analog console out there that has a good sounding mix buss. For me, that might solve the outboard patching, monitoring, and summing problems. The pres and eq's on the mixer aren't as important.
Price is somewhat of an issue. I also have to budget in 16 channels of quality D to A converters. Any suggestions for those as well?

Thanks Guys and Gals

you may patch in all the outboard stuff with a patchbay directly before the summing device. in fact you patch the dac-output into the outboard gear, and his output into the summing device.

a 16 ch device is made from spl called mix dream. this unit has even balanced insert sends and returns.

as dac's you may try out the mytek converters. you'll get 16 dac for 5800$. apogee will be even cheaper 3300$. lavry will cost you 7700$. but listen to them before buying

regards deft:::

[Matthew D]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by deft_bonz
[

a 16 ch device is made from spl called mix dream. this unit has even balanced insert sends and returns.



I checked this out on SPL's site and it seems very cool. There are features on it that I'm not to sure about though, like an onboard limiter and spacial expander, but the rest looks great. Are these available yet? If so, what is the price?
Also, how would you patch a balanced 1/4 or XLR into one of those multi pin jacks?

Thanks for the tip

[Jules]

I use the "Granddaddy" of the summing devices - the Dangerous 2 Bus.

I am very happy with it.

Mine is serial number 001.

Investigate here

http://www.dangerousmusic.com/2bus.html

[deft_bonz]

jules, could you explain me the buttons in front of the 2-buss, please? i've read the online manual but it is somewhat confusing.

>>>the abss and vocal to outputs 3&4. ... The bass and vocal want their own channels so they are panned hard left and right in protools and the "mono" button for channels 3&4 is pressed on thze front panel of the 2-bus to put the two "up the middle".<<<

but why panning in protools and not send the mono vocal track only to output 3 and the bass respectively to output 4??? why should i take a stereo ouput for both and then be forced to pan them???

thanks, deft:::

[natpub]

You really sound like a FolCrom candidate. Invest in the Apogee DA 16x, and use something like the Crane Song as makeup. I just don't hear you needing a mixer-type solution.


--kt

[Ollie]

Matthew D,
You can configure the API in sections of 8 channels per unit. So you can go 8, 16, 24, 32, etc.

What I like about the API is the ability to create a listenable mix when tracking. With no tracks recorded, you can set the levels on the mixer to reflect a mix you want to hear and feed the cans with that mix. You can also feed via patchpoints a cue system with multiple inputs post fader on the mixer.

Because you can feed your convertors from the send connector of the mixer, this does not affect your recorded level. The recorded level comes from how you have your pres set. The API also has two sends and returns that work nicely for external reverbs.

One other feature that is a plus is that you can add the API channel strips directly into the mixer setup. I have not used it this way, but it is an extra feature if you plan on getting some API front end gear eventually.

Very flexible setup

[Jules]

"but why panning in protools and not send the mono vocal track only to output 3 and the bass respectively to output 4??? "

Yes I send bass to 5 Lvox to 6 - no need for panning in PT.

"why should i take a stereo ouput for both and then be forced to pan them???"

No need, to you are correct.




A few questions RE API summing...

1) does a 24 ch set up also give you 24 mic pre's at tracking? (or do the summing chanels contain zero mic pre's?)

2) My API mic pre's have very easy to accidentaly turn knobs - how do you reliably calibrate the API summing modules?

3) is it easy to accidentally alter a neighbouring knob while adjusting them? Or lose track of what knob is for what channel?

[Ollie]

Originally posted by Jules
"A few questions RE API summing...

1) does a 24 ch set up also give you 24 mic pre's at tracking? (or do the summing chanels contain zero mic pre's?)

2) My API mic pre's have very easy to accidentaly turn knobs - how do you reliably calibrate the API summing modules?

3) is it easy to accidentally alter a neighbouring knob while adjusting them? Or lose track of what knob is for what channel?

Hi Jules,

1) The API 8200's are purely line console modules. You can attach up to 24 pres to them if needed. I have 16 pres in my setup now, and 24 discrete line channels available at mixdown.

2) The 2:00 o'clock position on each channel is calibrated to there unity gain position. When I checked this out with my tech, they all were very consistent.

3) During mix down, I try to use my DAW to control volume. Of course, if I need to do a pan change on a mono track I will have to grab the rotary. Yes, the knobs are close together and would not be friendly to use if trying to make lots of manual moves, so I setup stereo pairs for many output items.

[Matthew D]

Is there a 16 ch analog console out there that has a good sounding mix buss. For me, that might solve the outboard patching, monitoring, and summing problems.

Jim at Audio Upgrades recommended the Soundcraft Delta 200 console.
Does anyone have any experience with this model, or know where to get one?