Soundcraft 1600 - Opinions? Possible Mods?
Hi,
I'm planning to set up a new private/artist's studio for myself and the odd outside project that comes along. It will mainly be used for recording overdubs and vocals, as well as for mixing. Sort of like a semi-high-end studio with selected gear that suits my personal needs, as opposed to loads of esoteric stuff that covers all bases and impresses the clients.
For years I've been working in-the-box. In the new studio, I want take some of my signal processing out of the box, demoting my Mac/Logic Audio/UAD-1 combo to tape machine, automation, reverb machine and comp or EQ on lesser signals, while outputting all signals individually into a mixing desk. Following that, I want to use the mixing desk in a conventional manner, i.e. effects routing, inserting dynamics and EQing (on some signals).
I would never consider a desk such as a Mackie 8-bus for this purpose - if this were my only option, I'd stay ITB. Now, a good friend and colleague has offered me his old Soundcraft 1600 for next to nothing, which, back in the day, wasn't exactly high-end, but not completely shabby, either. I know some commercial tracks that were mixed on 1600s and they sound pretty good to my ears. I have a feeling that the console might give me better mixes than what I get ITB now, and I'm not completely unhappy as it is. I just don't like summing and processing critical signals ITB.
Has anyone worked on a Soundcraft 1600? Are the EQs usable? What about the preamps? (I already have some selected quality outboard gear, e.g. 1176, UA 610, D.A.V. Electronics, and will be gettings lots more compressors and a couple of top-notch EQs).
Are there any mods that may improve the sound of the console, or is it hardly worth the expense?
What's your esteemed opinion on the Soundcraft 1600, Gearslutz?
Cheers,
Recky