Turtlerock Forum

Hi All,

I have been offered a Allen and Heath GL3000 and a Gl4000, I was wondering has anyone used either of these desks for tracking before? If so what where your experiences like?

I have use both models for live gigs before but it was quite a few years ago now in a blur of pub rock and punk. I have reasonably fond memories of using them but a desk that is great at running a PA may not be useful for recording.

I currently have a Yamaha 01v96 and a few JLM BA's that I use but I am looking at doing a few more band projects that require more channels, so the A&H's are appealing in that respect.

Any comment or advises is appreciated.

Thanks
Tony

While they are not a sought after desk for recording etc etc, there's no reason why you can't get a decent recording with one. They are a neutral and open sounding desk, but lack the depth and "mojo" of a well designed discreet transformer ballanced console.

Thanks Chris,

Neutral and open sounding seem like it could be a good place to start, just out of interest what do you mean by ‘depth’ exactly?

I usually associate 'depth' with mixing multiple sources to create layers. Is that on the right track? I spend most of my time recording and sound deigning for theatre these days, so I seem to some time interpret studio description differently.

tony wrote:Thanks Chris,

Neutral and open sounding seem like it could be a good place to start, just out of interest what do you mean by ‘depth’ exactly?

I usually associate 'depth' with mixing multiple sources to create layers. Is that on the right track? I spend most of my time recording and sound deigning for theatre these days, so I seem to some time interpret studio description differently.

I suppose, by depth i mean a couple of things....... on tracking duties other favored consoles have a better sound; thicker without loss of transparency or adding mud in the mids and the highs have more extension without being thin.

........on mixing duties i think the above applies again with the addition of a better sound stage with summing.
I did a live recording of Chris Wilson a few years ago using an a&h mix wiz direct outs while mixing FOH at a pub. The recording went well. Back at the studio i mixed it using a Harrison M3. ( the same console that came from Ocean way in the US..... Simply Red's album was recorded on it.) The M3 provided a quality to the mix that mixing ITB or mixing on an A & H just would not give and that's what i'm calling depth.

That makes sense. It also make my choice a little easier. Thanks for that Chris.

Hey Tony, I am fond of the GL stuff as well but I only use a GL4000 [48 channel] live. The desk that i use is an old one, i believe it was on of the first 3 into OZ and has been installed in the one place since new [never been on the road, a lot of hire companies like these desks]. It is getting to be old now and you may need to listen to the desks to see how they sound... I plugged in a trident 4t channel strip on a lead vocal to play around a little while ago, running line in to the desk, and OH! not oh as in good but OH! #### where did all my tone go? Our desk is due to be replaced at some stage, and am looking foward to that day. The desk isn't bad but it does have it's own color, i wouldn't want to use my desk for tracking or mixing, i don't want that color and it makes it hard to get sepertaion and definition in a mix [live]. I would suggest checking out other consoles rather than the A&H - preferably something broadcast spec for cleaner tones. If you are interested to PM me and drop by to check ours out [not for sale though], we also use a RAMSA [panasonic] for foldback [a much nicer desk, I would recommend something like this]. Cheers Jono
Ps. the only trouble that our desk has had is the power supply [needs a fan on the heat sinks], they really are a very reliable console.

Thanks for that Jono,

I had a feeling that may be the case, I have vague memories of liking how versatile the A&H desk were but not much about the tone. I am guessing that may be why.

Just out of interested where are you ( and the GL) located?

thanks
Tony