I'm selling my console...and I can't stop the sighs.

I go through phases where I want to sell my board and outboard gear because working in the box is so much easier for recalls and stuff. Then I do an ITB mix and realize how much less enjoyable the whole process is.

I've never owned one so maybe I don't know what I'm missing but meh...there are plenty of ways to skin a cat.

I think its that our gear represents something important to us and you probably worked hard to buy it, learn it and to benefit from it so its hard to say goodbye.

Maybe take some solace in working hard to find it a new good home ?

Cary what console is it ? Would it be possible to go with a smaller or split frame ?

I still have my DDA FMR even with the STatus I can't bear the thought of selling it!

I knowwwww. But that's before you factor in the patch bay, and all the analog gear that get the sound that works for me.

Additionally the money behind where we were originally planning on installing things got tangled up...so I'm paying out of pocket alone for the new room I've moved into and started treating.

So we're at a crossroad. I'm probably swapping to a Shadow Hills Equinox or a Great River Mixmaster 20, and a custom Omnirax desk that will rack most of the gear I'll be keeping. A much more set and forget rig will be put together, and most outboard will be stepped or mostly stepped in their controls.

I would keep it...but with guitar amps and other gear...plus the fact that I have to live in the space I'm renting and work...it just isn't going to pan out.

I have work booked through manager and I'll get by without losing money...but the desk just doesn't add up. Unless you know someone that wants to co-fund and help run a bigger space?

I was thinking a bed frame that rolled above the board!

If it makes you feel any better, I got rid of my console a few years back and swapped it for a nice patchbay system and a control surface.  I honestly don't miss the console.

Sure, a console is fun to sit at and show off and hug sometimes, but the theory behind my decision was an advancement in technology.  I was using a Tascam DM-4800, which gave me inputs, a control surface, a monitor section and DA/AD.  It looked pretty and the clients loved the grandeur of it, but by taking out the console, I reduced my noise by going direct to pre/channel strip, etc. and reduced by footprint, enabling the option to make the whole system portable.  I was also able to upgrade all of the separate components of a console, giving me an overall better sound. 

So, don't feel bad.  Look for the opportunities to update your rig to better serve your sound.

I came from ITB and now I love hybrid. I would not give away my small, but very limted A+H ZED 420. Everything I mix hybrid sounds wider and deeper. And I am much faster as with pure ITB mixing..... Sounds crazy but that is the workflow I prefer..... I would not trade my small mixer for anything.

Even using a single pair of analog EQ's as an analog insert on the 2Bus of a digital mix always opens things up for me in terms of depth. If I couldn't have anything else I would want a chain that at least supports that.

That's why I mixed hybrid for about 7 years straight, I couldn't afford a desk at the time so I made that work for me. But the whole time I saved for a console...that's why I've been so down about it.

Though, I think I've got a good plan this time around in terms of where to take things.

Yeah, for a while I just used 8 channels via Black Lion PM8, but, I bought another and linked them together so now I'm at 16. I just got my rig pieced together this afternoon actually so I couldn't tell you if there is any difference between 8 and 16, but I'd have to imagine there will be some difference. At least now I don't have to run stereo stems, I use one for center and the other for L/R. Still need to do a mix and see how it feels, probably will tomorrow.

I will say that mixing ITB caused more lowend actually, but, it always felt flabby to me, kind of crowded, the summing mixer does fix that for sure, tightens the lowend and keeps things from getting crowded. The PM8 has transformer outs and transformers on every input, so it most definitely gives you the harmonic content, I also run the mix out of those through a pair of VP28's and then I get my forward mids back with a little more focus on the lowend.

The thing about the PM8's is that I think I've got maybe 1400 in both of them, and I got both from BLA. They were ones folks were sending in to upgrade to the MKII, but really I can't see anything justifiable to upgrade in the MKII, other than the fixed some noise on channel 8 via the PSU and that you can stack as many units you want on each other, however many channels you want. I always felt 16 was my goal in this hybrid setup. There are some other summing rigs I wouldn't mind having, the Neve one allows inserts I believe and you can add a fader pack to it, also has 16 channels. I'm going to do some comparisons on the 8 vs. 16 channel setup on the next mix. Plus, it'll be the first time I'll put my new Motu 16a into use, so I really can't go back and compare to anything old because the conversion has changed, along with the room, even the town. Something about Nashville, just makes all this seem more real or something, really hard to explain.

Anyways, you're probably going to need a summing rig that does what mine does, if you know what I'm talking about when I talk about the lowend off a console then I don't think just a passive summing rig will work, you need something to add those harmonics, and it really needs to be the mixers summing section and output. And, you might look into either building some VP28's or if you're not about DIY grabbing a pair of the Heiders to put your mix through. That gives you back the console feel as well, really opens things up and gives your mix some balls in the vocal and instruments.

Any questions just lemme know, I'll try to give you some feedback on the new setup as soon as I turn something out.