Making the Mixerless Studio LOOK COOL

[Analog]

years ago I used to have this HUGE Allen and Heath Saber console, it was big, it looked cool, it sounded kinda crappy. But clients loved it because it looked cool and had great looking meters and such. Soon I started using it as a monitoring board when I got my PT mix plus system.. I'd mix in the box with the mouse and use the board to attract clients.

Now I use Logic and Nuendo and there is a huge empty space where the console used to be. I have tons of rack gear and have recently acquired a Dangerous 2 Bus which along with UAD compressors and URS eqs and my rack gear, I've made some really good stuff.

So now I'm stuck with a problem. The same clients who loved my work back when I had a console that collected dust don't understand why I'm charging the same amount of money if I don't have the knobs and faders... For non PT guys there are not many control surfaces to choose from, let alone ones that are big and look cool and have client appeal.

The closest to cool I've seen is the Tascam 2400 which at least has 24 faders, but it quite shallow in depth. So I'm hoping to get inspired.. I want to build a cool looking desk that will incorporate my rack gear and maybe fit something like the 2400.. can anyone who has built cool looking desks for their mixerless studio post a pic? Any 2400 users build a custom desk? Anyone know of any more control surfaces coming out for Native systems??

[warhead]

I picked up an Omnirax Synergy desk with the mahogany side covers and monitor bridge and threw a Tascam 2400 on it. I quickly got rid of the 2400 and replaced it with a Mackie Universal.

The 2400 looks cool, but the shit part is not knowing where in the hell you're putting your finger without finding the source fader in your DAW and then reading the corresponding number, and then finding that number on the Tascam assuming you're in that exact bank..so you may want to check the bank location first before making a move.

The Mackie tells you where you are at all times with a nice LCD strip readout above each channel. A Control Universal with an expander pack runs about $200 - $250 more than the Tascam US2400 and will smoke it even though yes...it "only" has 17 faders. The Mackie is easier to learn also and comes with overlays for many different DAW's.

But if you only want it to "look" cool, buy the Tascam as it is attractive. But I find it to be a fairly worthless piece of gear when compared to the Mackie.

My $0.02, get a nice big desk to hang all of your blinking and knob twisting rack gear with a good controller set in the middle with dual LCD screens behind it. Makes for improved work and gives a classic look. When I did this everybody that comes here was impressed and I really enjoy mixing with faders again.

Omnirax makes a damn good desk, the Synergy and Force stuff is nice.

War

[tomdarude]

I´m in exactly in the same situation and will be doing some nice wooden DIY console for my stuff....I agree on just putting your comps & dangerous2-bus etc. into it left&right like in the big mastering studios... (looks pretty common to people because of that mastering-studio-ad´s)

and I´d vote against mackie control....well not really..depends...
but I tried a tascam 1884 +2 fader packs that´s also 25 faders (like the 2400,which I also didn´t like) and you can put a softLCD on the bottom of your mixer-screen, that does the job as the displays in the MCU....and the fader on the tascam feel MUCH better than the mackie´s....
and I´ll add one of the new dangerous monitor remotes


hell, we need something like a control24, big with meters and maybe even 32 faders...

I'm pretty happy with my Argosy.

[kevinc]

[QUOTE=tomdarude]I´m in exactly in the same situation and will be doing some nice wooden DIY console for my stuff....I agree on just putting your comps & dangerous2-bus etc. into it left&right like in the big mastering studios... (looks pretty common to people because of that mastering-studio-ad´s)

QUOTE]


Say. that`s not a bad idea.

Just stuff all your rack gear into a desk so it kind of looks like theres a console there. If you`ve got outboard and a summing device it basically is a console anyways so make it look like it is somehow.

[Analog]

Warren, can you post a pic of your studio? I've been looking at the argosy and omnirax stuff. The argosy looks especially cool.. I wonder if I could buy say the Tascam 1884 unit with the two 19 inch racks on both sides, and then build a box for the 2400 instead. Warren, can you try to explain more about the problems with the 2400? Is there a way to assign the faders to be like output busses so I can label them like a console... say kick and snare and toms on 1 2 3 4 5 6, and then overheads buss to 7 and 8, bass group channel to 9, guitar busses to 10 and 11, lead vox to 13, and so forth?

[warhead]

Originally Posted by Analog

Warren, can you post a pic of your studio?

I just went out and snapped these, my place ain't 100% done but you get the idea.

I've been looking at the argosy and omnirax stuff. The argosy looks especially cool..

I looked at Argosy too, I may be biased because we are an Omnirax dealer now. We made the decision after dealing with them (great guys) and the quality of the desk and how well it fit together and the sturdiness. I think their pricing is fair also.

I wonder if I could buy say the Tascam 1884 unit with the two 19 inch racks on both sides, and then build a box for the 2400 instead.

There are tons of desks from Argosy and Omnirax which give you 19" racks on both sides, one side, top and bottom, straight ahead of you, lots of options. However I do not understand what you mean by "build a box for the 2400 instead".

Warren, can you try to explain more about the problems with the 2400?

Again, mainly mass confusion of not knowing what's going on when I reach for a fader. I can't look at the mixer and mix, I have to (A) find the track name in the DAW mixer and (B) read which number fader it is and (C) find that fader on the 2400 provided (D) I am looking at the correct 24 fader bank selected at the moment. Other than that it does provide adequate control, I just find the Mackie provides great control and is laid out pretty intuitively and the overlays make it nicer yet.

Is there a way to assign the faders to be like output busses so I can label them like a console... say kick and snare and toms on 1 2 3 4 5 6, and then overheads buss to 7 and 8, bass group channel to 9, guitar busses to 10 and 11, lead vox to 13, and so forth?

You can label the US2400 with masking tape, it's been done for years on everyone else's console so why not this one? Keep in mind if you switch fader banks you may be making some sub-notes on there as well. Again, personal preference and helps me work faster by simply looking at the LCD strip on board the controller.

You can assign the faders to be whatever you have setup in your DAW, because quite simply they're just going to control what's on screen and move no audio themselves. So you could arrange your DAW mixer as above and it will automatically be reflected by the Tascam or Mackie controller.

Hope this helps...some at least!

War

[Analog]

Wow, the Omnirax looks really nice, I can see a 2400 in that middle space and the screens look cool.. fill the racks with some big metered big knob gear and we just might have something here. Oh and they are less then HALF the price of Argosy.. Very cool. Warren, can you take any current pictures? I'd love to see more.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by Analog

Very cool. Warren, can you take any current pictures? I'd love to see more.

I just took some and posted them for you!!! (edit above)

War

[Analog]

Also Warren: do you know if its possible to get a Synergy 600/800 with the base resembling the picture in the link below? I like the look of the base better, I wonder how hard it would be for Omnirax to combine that bottom with the synergy top?

http://www.omnirax.com/site/show_pro...p?pid=70&cid=3

[warhead]

On the right hand side I went to Office Max and got some desktop acrylic that you would typically put a calendar under, and I applied it to the top of the space cover. Now I and others can write on it with grease pencils for quick notes.

That little tiny keyboard has been a GODSEND, picked it up on eBay for maybe $25 which is ridiculous but it's a very small kind of thing. Maybe 4"H x 8"W and about 1/2"D. Doesn't get in the way and is good enough for the rare amount of typing I do while in a session (naming tracks and files, once you get a controller keyboards don't matter as much).

I really like the wierd lights, Lowes had them for like $25 each and they have a green layer that's removable if you like white light.

I may or may not get an expander MUC, but for now I haven't spent the money.

That is an Onyx mixer that happens to mount perfectly in the lower rack spaces due to shallow depth at the bottom. I use the Onyx for drum tracking, monitoring etc and it's a cool little mixer if you're into sound and not necessarily name.

As you can tell I had it designed for a US2400 and made the switch, again it's all about the workflow and I didn't find out until it's too late. An expander pack on the left would complete the flow of the desk and leaves me room for my trackball mouse on the right and a comfortable reach all around.

War

[warhead]

Originally Posted by Analog

Also Warren: do you know if its possible to get a Synergy 600/800 with the base resembling the picture in the link below? I like the look of the base better, I wonder how hard it would be for Omnirax to combine that bottom with the synergy top?

http://www.omnirax.com/site/show_pro...p?pid=70&cid=3

For custom jobs it's best to call Omnirax direct and talk. Try and get Jonathon on the phone (they are on CA time, my sister works across the street from those guys!) as he's very good. They can do anything you want, but even they suggested we have customers call direct to work out the design so there's no confusion.

War

PS: Sorry my posts are all over the place here as you and I are posting at the same time and I'm playing catch up to keep things coherent.

[Analog]

Warren, very cool. I'd ultimately like to get a Synergy with a metal foot bottom like the link I showed with two racks on the sides and a filler kit that will go nicely around the 2400. I think this is JUST what I've been looking for.. argosy is way too pricey.. thanks again, great pics, great studio.

[cedarstudios]

I am currently using a mixerless setup and did a DIY wooden wrap around desk which i have been very pleased with. The best and most fun part of of making your own desk is really customizing it for your own gear. Besides the standard racks we built in an api lunchbox, a GT brick, patchbays, and consoles, and other toys. I had to make some changes to the desk with gear changes but It really tied everything together so it seemed like you're working with one big tool and the clients seemed to like it. Here are some old pics of the desk.

[MASSIVE Master]

I really don't mix much anymore (but I have the capabilities to) -

This desk was $100 at Office Depot (Max?)

The rack was a 6-space MidAtlProd standard box, cut to 2 30/60/90's and dropped right on top of cavities cut into the desktop.

Literally, $150 and 2 hours of work - And I have no f**king clue what I'm doing with wood. Someone who does could probably knock it out in 45 minutes.

http://www.massivemastering.com/html...ographs_0.html

BTW - You can fit a 12-space on wheels under each "wing" of the desk. That's 36 spaces (or 40 if you use a sliced 8-space instead of the 6'er).

[EDIT] - Cancel that... I forgot about the depth of the gear on top (I *told* you I don't have a clue!) I do have an 8-space rack under both sides for computers and the Avocet box, etc... So if you slice an 8 into 2, you can get 32 spaces within your reach.

Before I built the racks into the top, I had 12's underneath... [/EDIT]

[el cochino]

Have you checked out the Mixed Logic controler? It has 24 motorized faders, as well as several control pots/buttons and a LCD display. The simple shape of the controler would also make it easy to fit it into a Omnirax-type of desk.

[faeflora]

I vote for argosy. My little mackie control and drum machine impress people when they're sitting on the argosy dual 15. Everyone says "WOW".

[crypticglobe]

Originally Posted by faeflora

I vote for argosy. My little mackie control and drum machine impress people when they're sitting on the argosy dual 15. Everyone says "WOW".

Yeah... my vote is for the Mackie Control as well. Don' t forget, with Nuendo you can add extensions as well. Get the MCU, and 3 extensions and you have 32 channels of faders and lots of pretty lights. Put that on an Argosy... and you are back into the "WOW" factor.

Or... buy a Neve 80 console series to track through and use as a mixbus.

[Jules]

I went from Rock n Roll freelancer to a 'producer's club house' style studio owner..

I figured I would need some sort of "centrepiece" focus for the musicians - something more than two screens & a mouse mat.

So I got a Pro Control (still going strong, touch wood)

Whatever your budget its worth spending time on deleoping something that clients will like the look of

... good luck, interesting thread..

[el cochino]

Maybe a new product idea for Funk Logic - a fake mixer with lots of faders and other bling-bling.

[kats]

Hmmm, I can't find the omnirax on your website Warren - I'm looking for prices.

Tony

[T_R_S]

Get a Lava lamp! thumbsup

[warhead]

Originally Posted by kats

Hmmm, I can't find the omnirax on your website Warren - I'm looking for prices.

Tony

EDIT: Tony, it's on the new site now.

War

[enharmonic]

Just tell 'em you got rid of the console to make room for the strippers.

of course...it helps if you have strippers. I would also suggest getting new strippers instead of NOS strippers...reissues are fine as long as they're built well.

[Ruphus]

[Bounce]

and definitely no stripper modeling...convolution is way better...

mckay

[recorderman]

You can blow them away with how it sounds and they don't give a **** what your studio looks like?

[DrummerGuy09]

warhead.......

How do you like the Onyx mixer for drums??? How is the sound??

[warhead]

The Onyx preamps are nothing like the old VLZ stuff, they sound right top to bottom with no hype and deliver plenty of punch too. The monitoring section is great and the EQ is very useful (wide Q, can't get surgical) and musical.

Great mixer in this price range, with a solid build too.

War

[jumpnyc]

I find the 42" plasma and the high quality product helps. I do want a controller - I am looking at the Pro Controls as they are dramatically less then before.

[IMG]<img src="http://www.outloudaudio.com/studio.jpg" border="0" alt="" />[/IMG]