where to find a used console?

by **jimbo_baby84** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:58 pm

hi guys, i'm simon and this is my first post. recently while shopping around for mic pres for my DAW i stopped and said "why not get a used medium to large format console?" then i thought about it and said "oh, because i'm in australia". but surely there must be some places around. i've looked at mixmasters and smithies. anyone know any other places i might check out?

ideally i want something with 32 channels and usable versatile mic pres. good eq would be a bonus, but i really need to be able to track through this thing and i'd like it to be reliable. my budget is $10,000. i'm used to an MCI 500 series. if i could get something of comparable sonic quality without the maintenance issues i'd be a happy camper. am i dreaming? (a pair of API 3124 pres is my sensible plan b).

thanks,

simon

by **BCains** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:04 pm

your best bet would be Mixmasters...you didnt find anything there?
if they didnt have what you are looking for - let them know and they'll keep a look out for you.

They still have a nice D + R Dayner for about 8.5K might be worth looking into.

Other than them, i'm not sure rarely would a nice console come on ebay, maybe just the local rag.

Let me know if you find anywhere! =D

by **Chris H** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:55 pm

Another good place is PA company used gear lists. You could pick up an ok soundcraft or eBay

by **Kris** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:51 pm

I have a Soundcraft K2 for sale. 48 Channels, 8 subgroups and 8 auxes and each channel has a direct out. It has been retired from FOH in church and is in good condition. Just needs a good going over by a tech to fix some scratchy pots etc.

I also have a 48 channel Soundcraft SM12 monitor console which is in great condition and is also available for sale.

message me if you're keen. It's in Sydney, no roadcase though.

otherwise....Mick's the man. (mixmasters)

by **Jason** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:41 am

Hi Kris,

The gear you have listed, are you prepared to split some of it up? I have the task of setting up a new chapel in the new year with some gear and some of the stuff you have listed would work well. Thats all depends I guess if you still have it then.

Cheers

Jason

by **Kris** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:11 am

Yeah, for sure. No problem. Just let me know what you're interested in and we'll go from there.

Contact me when you're ready, there's no hurry as we have our new system and the old one is now just sitting in the shed.

Ph: 0410 415 225.

Kris.

by **jimbo_baby84** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:11 pm

i'm actually starting to think about the MCI 428. sure it's less channels, but i need quality before quantity. do you guys think that i'd be better of forgetting about the desk and going for 3124's? i haven't used API pres yet. can anyone compare them to MCI desk pres? i never had any complaints when using the MCI, but before using that i had no complaints about my be!@#$%^& mixer, so...

by **rick** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:07 pm

dangerous statement here -
the new version api mic pre.... as in the 3124 is a hoax !

( i had the 3124m for 5 years before i finally admitted defeat !)

the new stuff has the strangest headroom setup i have ever seen
the mic pres just cannot handle loud noises without using the pad
ie drums, guitar and vocals !
and the pad makes the mic pre sound kinda dull so .....

the rest of the product line is amazing - no issue about build quality
and there are plenty of those new api pre boxes kicking around with happy owners

but i must say ... what is with the api gain structure ...?
is it just me ( err i know its not but i do not want to start a api war)

save your cash- leave you name around at the usual haunts and a really nice console will show up.
i have had , sold and passed on to my friends and clients hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of consoles that where bought and sold for
next to nothing in the last ten years there are heaps of them around.

by **davemc** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 12:57 am

A lot of people pad the output of the API's to get around the fact the pad changes the sound. I ran compressors after sometimes and dropped the inputs down so similar thing. So I know what you mean Rick.

The MCI 428 at mixmasters is pretty cool went over and tried it before I brought the Trident earlier this year. Head room is cool, EQ is ok(pretty basic). Pres did not try was mainly looking for something vintage styled to match a 2" 16 track I just brought. I brought the Trident 65 as it had more channels and more normal layout for freelancers. Both now sold as I closed up, so a sort lived setup..
Value for money a desk is cool, although most are getting old now and need a little TLC. Really depends on what your doing. The MCI is not something your going to be able to move around easily.

The Dayner looks interesting at mixmasters as well.
You could always just look around. The Trident I brought came up a day before I flew to SA to look at the MCI.

by **jimbo_baby84** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:17 pm

rick wrote:save your cash- leave you name around at the usual haunts and a really nice console will show up.

sounds like sensible advice, thanks rick. can you recommend me some more haunts?

by **rick** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 3:51 pm

call me

by **jimbo_baby84** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:35 pm

thanks for the advice rick! in the mean time i probably need extra pre amps anyway. do the api 512 pres have the same gain structure issue as the 3124?

by **rick** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 2:48 pm

i dont know about the original 512 but the current version 512 is the same story
ie. you need to put the pad in most of the time

if you in the mood to spend money

how do you feel about a 12 channel class A pre and eq with direct outs
absolute classic console in your price range ....?
( ITS the same as one of mine... and it will be amazing !)

make the call i suggested and this time try asking for a 12 channel desk and see what gives :)

by **mfdu** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 10:41 am

i was fully gagging for the mci at mixmasters.

after all - who REALLY needs more than 16 channels (risking flame war there, huh?) and from what dave mc had told me, it was soooo sweet and tasty. just my kind of vibe, too.

but i grabbed an old TAC and she is treating me just right. folks had expressed concerns to me about headroom . . . i don't know what they were doing but it's all good with me.

ha ha - i've got a studiomaster seriesV 16/8/2 in my garage.
if you're doing any painting, and have run out of drop sheets, i'll run it over. it'll do a great job keeping paint off the floor.
oh yeah - it passes signal. but there's a difference between passing signal and actually being enjoyable to use!

chris.

(EDIT : when i said "16 channels is enough" remember i do mean in a demo / home studio context. i ain't dissing no big setups. but with my 16 i have enough channels to mult signals and all that fun stuff . . .)

where to find a used console?

where to find a used console?

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