ANALOG TAPE STUDIO SETUP - RECOMMENDATIONS?

To NicDefn,

I own & use the 688 also, but I too have the use of a 24x8x2 analog mixer as well. It's obvious you're going to need an additional mixer capable of more than 16 channels if you plan on using all those connections.

I still have three rack mount stereo efx units that can be routed if neccessary via patching to the big mixer, but that should be the least of your worries atm. If you want to take advantage of using the 688, you'll need to connect it using the group outs or the tape outs (preferably) going to 8 dedicated channels on the big mixer.

Or, you can use the main group outs on the 688 (1/L & 2/R) going to two main channels on the big mixer and do all your matrix routing on the 688.

But let me know what route you're going and I can help you on certain configs so you won't be pulling your hair.

I think going from digital to analog has got to be one of the scariest transitions to make. Going analog to digital is hard because the person only know how to do things the hard way, so the simple route appears difficult! But when your a digital user, and your used to pressing a single button to do multiple functions, they don't know how things are really done! You can't be an ipod dj and understand what it feels like to carry crates, physically sync the music, etc, but you can be a turntable dj and appreciate the simplicity of digital.
I commend you for attempting to make such a move. Good luck!

Why do you want a new 16 channel mixer?
For your money you could actually buy a good used console or a bigger 32 channel 8 bus console more akin to what you want to do.
i.e. Soundcraft Spirit Studio 32 or 24 or a smaller Delta console

Bottom of my list would be the Mackies i.e. SR-32-4 VLZ Pro or the 24/32ch 8 bus consoles, great features but poor construction and build imo.

I use a 32ch Mackie SR-32-4 VLZ Pro I got used for about 200 quid... You can see why I use it, A) It was dirt cheap and B) actually kind of sucks but it's the only console of that size and kind of price I can fit in my small space... For a 32ch board it's small! Other wise I'd have a Soundcraft, old A&H or something.

The way I work is quite easy.. Synths, Samplers, FX into mixer, out of mixer's main out goes into a DAT machine which the digital out also feeds my MAC audio interface.
It used to be a MOTU 828 mk1 but that broke and I went back to my old one I never used a M-Audio fast track pro. A midi out from the MPC also goes into it if I ever want to use a VST
I also have one aux going into the analogue input, guitar on the other analogue input DI

I have a few cassette machines including 4 tracks, all used if the mood fits

Yeah, I have to agree with vinyl...24 channels is good but 32 is a whole lot better and double the amount originally sought after.

Also the extra bussing I would think is useful in your situation plus..

The Mackie 8 Bus and the Spirit Studio are actually in-line console so you have 32xch x2 = 64 Total input channels.

From memory the Mackie also has double bussing, 8 buses which are doubled so 16 Bus outs.

If looking at Mackie's be weary of the dreaded ribbon cable failure which all suffer from (dead channels/drop outs, distortion, intermittent outputs)
You can buy new cables or you can hard wire the connectors if the cable is ok. I replaced the cable on mine for 18 quid.

Also common issue I've seen on them is on the external PSU, one of the voltage rails go causing all LED's or VU's to stop working but I think the solo LED still works, if you have the meeter bridge the analogue VU's will still work but nothing else. Sound is unaffected so mixer will still work, just no metering pretty much.

The Soundcraft in comparison inside is all modular, every channel is vertically mounted as it should be. Only thing I would say is they are getting on a bit and could probs do with a re-cap but if they've been looked after they should have a few more years left under the belt until a service is required.

In regard to the mackie consoles and the quality...

I never had an old mackie console, but i can safely say for the newer onyx model that i have that these are built very well. I own it for a little over a year and it's built like a tank, rock solid...

vinyl_junkie_1620 wrote:The Mackie 8 Bus and the Spirit Studio are actually in-line console so you have 32xch x2 = 64 Total input channels.

From memory the Mackie also has double bussing, 8 buses which are doubled so 16 Bus outs.

Damn, I knew about the doubling of the channels, but I didn't know the bussing could be doubled as well...interesting.

dabmeister wrote:

vinyl_junkie_1620 wrote:The Mackie 8 Bus and the Spirit Studio are actually in-line console so you have 32xch x2 = 64 Total input channels.

From memory the Mackie also has double bussing, 8 buses which are doubled so 16 Bus outs.

Damn, I knew about the doubling of the channels, but I didn't know the bussing could be doubled as well...interesting.

Not sure about the 8 Bus but the 32-4 has what's called double busing, it has 4 buses but they are doubled so you have 8 outs in total.

From the 8 Bus website:

"6. What is triple bussing, and how is this an advantage?
There are eight Subgroups on the Analog 8 bus. These busses are used to group multiple signals together onto one track. If you are using these Subgroups to route signals to 24 tracks, you can triple bus them. A signal routed to Sub 1 will also be present on Sub 9's output jack, as well as Sub out 17. This will allow you to make an 8 track recording pass, and then another on tracks 9-16 of the recorder without having to re-patch the busses again. Simply take tracks 1-8 out of record ready and put 9-16 in record ready."

i just 'borrowed' a grundig tk 246 from my grandma (to archive some family recordings), apparently, it has a built in compressor (really slow reaction, two settings: voice and music) the belts just died though but theres a repair kit on ebay

i also have this acec lugavox

tube amp, super noisy (is this easily repairable? id guess not)

both have mics too, i think theyre ribbon mics

tube amp, super noisy (is this easily repairable? id guess not)

depends what you take to be easy. first place to look is the power supply -- replace the electrolytic capacitors. it might even be old enough to have paper and oil capacitors. then move onto replacing capacitors not in the power supply.

just be careful. there are very high voltages in tube gear. you might need to drain power stored in capacitors before touching anything. they retain power even after turned off.

terry towelling wrote:

tube amp, super noisy (is this easily repairable? id guess not)

depends what you take to be easy. first place to look is the power supply -- replace the electrolytic capacitors. it might even be old enough to have paper and oil capacitors. then move onto replacing capacitors not in the power supply.

just be careful. there are very high voltages in tube gear. you might need to drain power stored in capacitors before touching anything. they retain power even after turned off.

ill leave it.. its been ten years i last soldered too