Yamaha PM1800A-24

[NelsonClay]

I found one of these mixing consoles that I think I could pick up at a reasonable price. It is owned by a staging company that I work for.

Does anyone have any experience with this console. It seams to have a lot of nice features and I really like the idea of a 4 band parametric eq.

I'm hoping to use it as the centerpiece in my recording studio. I would use the mic pres on the way in until I can afford better preamps and then I would use it to mix through.

Any thoughts would be real nice.

Thanks

[Malcolm Boyce]

It would need to be better than just a reasonable price...

I know where you can get a 40ch frame... I bet there are a lot more out there collecting dust...

If it's in good repair, it will work... but it's nothing special. Everyone will have an opinion, they did have their years of duty, but there's a reason why they were speced mostly for features, not their sound quality.

I doubt if anyone remembers the PM1800-PM3000 for their "sound quality".

Limits on the 1800 are:

-Only the first two of six auxes are panel switchable, without an extensive mod.
-Input channels cannot be assigned direct to the stereo bus... They must go through a subgroup.
-Only the eight subgroups can be bussed to the Matrix.
-No input metering other than PFL.... Only a channel "clip" LED.

Good Things:

-Fully sweepable 4 band parametric. Top and bottom shelving.
-Sweepable HPF
-Proper two jack inserts on ins and outs.
-Proper individual bus assigns, not "odd/even" pan assign.
-Logical two step pad on inputs allowing smooth "sweet spot" gain staging.
-Proper fully modular design, easy to remove/repair strips with the desk still in use.

The PM1800 feels more like a proper "pro" console vs. most budget analog desks these days. Definitely better I/O connections, see XLR!

Not the worst sounding desk, but not anything "sweet".

[NelsonClay]

Thanks for the speedy reply. That was about the review I was expecting. Not the best console but pretty good.

What do you think would be a fair price for this one? It comes with a flight case and an external power supply. I hear it may have some problems in the mix bus.

Do you know where I could find any info regarding repairs or possible upgrades?

xNelson

[muziekschuur]

May be you like to pick this one up and then buy the 40ch. one aswell. Then look at the best one, look for parts, and if those are not available, just use the worst one to repair the best.

Usually these consoles were expensive at time of purchase so most come with professional gadgets like lites, expensive cabling and nice flightcases and stands.

[NelsonClay]

"I know where you can get a 40ch frame... I bet there are a lot more out there collecting dust..."

Where could I get this 40 ch frame from?

xNelson