by John Woram
---------Top: Tapco 6000R, Quantum QM-8A Bottom: Teac 2, Sound Workshop
1280B
It's hard to believe that not too many years ago recording consoles with any sort of flexibility were pretty much in the pro-only category. Hardware available to the home recordist was limited in scope, and even the most modest signal processing functions could be a problem.
Today's home recordist has quite a different sort of problem: choosing from a bewildering array of semipro consoles, ranging in price from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. To help add to the confusion, we present here a small sampling of what's available. The list is by no means complete-in fact it barely scratches the surface of what's to come in future issues.
Tapco Model 6000R
This is a six-in/one-out mixer with built in reverberation. Each input has a rotary gain control and a two-section equalizer, offering ± 15 dB bass and treble control.
Above the equalizer section EFFECTS controls the signal fed to the reverberation unit's input. Patch points in the rear panel allow the effects section to be used in conjunction with other external signal processing devices, with or with out the reverb.
All inputs and outputs are 1/4-inch phone jacks. Three-pin professional-type microphone jacks may be specified as an option. Price of the 6000R is $365.
Teac Model 2 Audio Mixer
A surprising amount of flexibility has been packed into this six-in/four-out board, with each input controlling either a microphone or line-level signal, de pending on the position of an input-selector switch. Above each input slide fader is a series of four pushbuttons, a rotary potentiometer, and high- and low-frequency cutoff switches. The pushbuttons route the input signal to any combi nation of outputs, while the potentiometer allows panning between odd- and even-numbered outputs. The master fader controls all four output levels. The Model 2 sells for approximately $325.
Quantum QM-8A
Here is another four-out console, this one with eight inputs. In addition to the basic input/output control functions, the Quantum Audio 8A features an 8-track monitor system, talkback and head phone mixing facilities and echo send/ return controls. Professional three-pin connectors are located on the back.
A two-section equalizer offers high- or low-frequency cut or boost of up to 12 dB. Equalization is switchable between 3 and 10 kHz in the highs and 50 and 200 Hz in the lows. The unit sells for $2,695, with an optional 104-point patch bay costing $749.
Sound Workshop 1280B
This versatile twelve-in/eight-out board has a three-band equalizer that offers up to 15 dB of shelving equalization at 100 Hz and 12 kHz, and ±15 dB of peaking equalization at 3.7 kHz. Output levels are indicated by a two-color/three-LED readout on each of the eight channels, and a mute switch is included on each in put channel. Back-panel connections are three-pin jacks for the balanced micro phone inputs and 1/4-inch phone jacks or RCA pin jacks elsewhere.
Options available include "Super EQ," featuring three-band equalization with five selectable center frequencies on each band (all are rated at ±15 dB), and an 8-track meter bridge that fits across the top of the console and has eight internally lit V U meters (cost is $850).
The basic 128013 retails for $3,200; with "Super EQ" on eight of the twelve inputs, the price is $4.000. A twelve-input expander costs $2.500.
Tangent 3216
----------Tangent 3216
The Tangent model is 16-in/16-out with ± 15 dB three-band parametric equalization on each channel. There are two cue lines for headphone monitoring, and each of the two echo-send lines provides a two-position switch offering pre- or post-fader echo send. A phase reversal switch is also included in each channel, and the board is equipped with phantom powering. A rotary potentiometer permits panning between odd and even channels, and recording levels are indicated by means of a vertical row of seven LEDs. The 3216 sells for $7,950. Options include 24- and 32-channel mainframes, and a 156-point patch bay.
Allen and Heath Syncon Series
Allen and Heath Ltd. well known for their line of small mixers, now offers a top-of-the-line semipro "super board" with up to 28 input/output modules and 16 mixing bus outputs. Each module has a two-section parametric equalizer plus switchable high- and low-frequency shelving equalization. Also there are four auxiliary send controls on each, and the board will handle six auxiliary re turns as well as four quad echo returns.
Other features include quad, stereo, and mono monitoring controls, phantom powering for condenser microphones, talkback facilities, a built-in oscillator, and VU meters on each module. The Syncon sells for just under $20.000.
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(High Fidelity, Nov. 1977)
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