|
Post by sean on Dec 22, 2020 12:44:58 GMT -6
Well, all the output cards and channels have been modified/recapped...so now its time to work on some molex connecters and hopefully fire it up soon.
For the other console I have I'm going to keep it stock, and leave if up to it's future owner if they want to tweak it.
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 21, 2020 17:34:43 GMT -6
Traded an Avalon AD2044 to tasteliketape for a Smart C1. Traded my Langevin DVC for a Urei 1178.
Working on trading my pair of Royer 121’s for something. Have some interesting offers...they are matched and someone asked if I would break them up and trade for a RCA 77DX that been gone over by AEA. I’ll probably take that deal
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 17, 2020 6:48:16 GMT -6
Mouser and DigiKey are like the hardware store...it takes at least 3 trips for every project.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate finding parts and spare modules. I actually have a second console, and I almost have enough modules to fully load up both.
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 16, 2020 8:37:48 GMT -6
Refurbishing this Auditronics console is no joke. So far I've replaced about 400 parts and soldered about 1500 joints. And I haven't even started on the patch bay...
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 14, 2020 15:36:59 GMT -6
I tracked down 10 Auditronics 110 modules, so when I get to the other frame I have I can make it a complete console. Still working on getting one going but had to jump on it while I could.
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 14, 2020 12:34:15 GMT -6
Not to be “that guy” but I have a Mercury M72s Custom Shop Version for sale in the classified. I’ve used it on a lot of records, but my tracking studio is closed and working out of other studios I don’t really feel the need to bring outboard preamps with me (this ain’t the 90’s!)
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 9, 2020 7:31:32 GMT -6
Came across a cheap pair of Urei LA4. Not sure if I’ll flip them, or send them off to Audio Upgrades. Also grabbed a cheap Aphex 204. Pretty fun to have around I've got a blackface one and find it very useful on electric guitars and bass! Not all the times, but it sure can be useful. I could use another couple. How much you want for them $100 LA4s? If I sell them I’ll be sure to post them in the classifieds. Like spring reverbs, I have too many opto compressor.
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 8, 2020 20:15:47 GMT -6
Came across a cheap pair of Urei LA4. Not sure if I’ll flip them, or send them off to Audio Upgrades. Also grabbed a cheap Aphex 204. Pretty fun to have around
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 8, 2020 8:36:38 GMT -6
The Exponential Audio stuff is great. There have definitely been situations where I’m glad I’ve had them!
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 7, 2020 22:16:38 GMT -6
Valhalla Shimmer has a “Bloom” preset that’s pretty much identical to the MidiVerb II patch (I’ve A/B). I think SoundToys Micro Pitch Shift has a Pitch Change C setting.
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 7, 2020 12:27:32 GMT -6
I think, since I have two of these, I’m going to keep the other one stock (just recap it) and see what, if any, the difference is.
I have a few different output buss transformer options (Jensen, Cinemag, Triad) so it’ll be fun to compare
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 7, 2020 7:19:17 GMT -6
Wow. That’s a lot of money for op amps, resistors, and caps. ADA4898-1, ADA4625-1, and OPA1611...50 op-amps plus the $2 SOIC to DIP8 adapters adds up to most of the cost. And honestly I think I forgot a couple.
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 6, 2020 9:15:26 GMT -6
Pretty much every Auditronics console that's still in service today has been heavily modified. A popular mod is it change the output buss cards to use 2520 op-amps, essentially making them API 325. Some try to use 2520's in the channels themselves.
I decided to go a different route and send a channel to Jim Williams to make it direct couple, no capacitors in the signal path, but still utilize the Jensen transformers. Like a GML with Jensen transformers and inductor EQs. Since the console didn't come with a power supply, I have a modern Power One that's 6 amps, so it'll be able to handle the current draw of the high speed op-amps. It's not practical to send 16 channels and 10 output cards to Jim so I'm going to modify the rest of the channels myself. Nothing like spending $700 on capacitors, resistors, op-amps and adapters!
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 6, 2020 9:13:03 GMT -6
Or I'll REALLY break something! You still have an 80c? Issues? When's that going on the block? I have a Series 70 that's sitting in my laundry room. I can't in good conscious sell it...it was given to me by a friend. The little Auditronics 110 actually fits through the door into my mix room. I keep thinking I'll find a home to park the Trident but the last place I tried fell through.
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 6, 2020 8:57:32 GMT -6
Nothing like spending over $500 on capacitors and resistors and op amps that are going to take dozens of hours to install! You'll get your money back though. 😁😁 Or I'll REALLY break something!
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 6, 2020 8:25:56 GMT -6
Nothing like spending over $500 on capacitors and resistors and op amps that are going to take dozens of hours to install! ***More like $700
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 5, 2020 10:24:01 GMT -6
Absolute Essentials for me : Room Monitors Mics Mic Amps Compressors EQ's Saturation FX Reverbs Delays Modulation FX Conversion Computer Great back end - guitars, keys, amps, etc. Headphones Stands WIRE!!!!! Racks Desk Ugh...I guess I could have just said "studio".... You forgot chair. Treat yourself to a good one!
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 5, 2020 7:27:56 GMT -6
I got the legs back from the welder, and they are pretty much an exact match to the originals. I’ve tracked down almost every component that was missing, so for shits and giggles I loaded it up to see how it’ll look. Still a lot left to be done (recapping, wiring, repairing some modules) and I want to build a little keyboard / mouse shelf that will sit above the faders
|
|
|
Post by sean on Nov 27, 2020 10:22:06 GMT -6
I somewhat foolishly pulled the trigger on an Avalon AD2044. Found one at a nice Black Friday price (added bonus: no sales tax!). I used one last week for tracking vocals and I loved it, I was really impressed. And I have A LOT of optical compressors. It’s not “fast” but it really added a nice glue to the sound.
Now I should probably sell a spring reverb or something to justify it 😆
I also bought some inductors from CAPI for my Auditronics restoration
|
|
|
Post by sean on Nov 26, 2020 10:34:56 GMT -6
About finished the mouse turd, mud, and mud dauber nest removal and starting to put this console I got from Jim Dickinson’s son Luther (of North Mississippi Allstars) back together. I sent an input channel, the center section, and for shits and giggles an output card to Jim Williams. This is an early 70’s chip based console, and while the input and output transformers and inductor EQs are great for vibe, I’ve had Jim upgrade several chip based consoles and it’s always for the better. Especially the center section. So, I’m waiting for those to arrive and because it’s not practical to send the whole console to Jim, I’m going to do the rest of the channels myself. Matt @ IAA offered to make some new output cards, because I’m missing a few. I think it be a great thing for him to sell because whenever people rack these channel strips, they need those and they’ve gotten pretty pricey on eBay. I had a friend make some new birch side panels because the originals were water damaged and the laminate was peeling off. Not a great picture because it’s in my storage room but I’m happy with how they turned out!
|
|
|
Post by sean on Nov 26, 2020 8:11:59 GMT -6
I snagged a Vesta Fire RV-2 2 channel spring reverb off Reverb. Supposedly it's working. I also bought parts to recap an Orban 111B spring reverb...one channel isn't working...I'm hoping it's a tantalum cap. It also looks like someone tried to replace an op-amp at some point and did a pretty shitty job, so I'm going to redo that as well.
|
|
|
Post by sean on Nov 23, 2020 9:12:43 GMT -6
More broken stuff! A dB Technologies/Lavry AD122. It was super cheap, but one channel doesn't work. If it's chip, it's forever a mono unit, but I'm hoping it's something else. Unfortunately Lavry doesn't support any old units. It'll probably be on Reverb soon...maybe it can help someone repair theirs!
|
|
|
Post by sean on Nov 20, 2020 21:09:35 GMT -6
We needed to use it for a studio video-shoot. Better to space out and physically distance. It is a beautiful space. I worked in the API room back in 2012 and so many things didn't work. As long as 6 channels on that Neve work I’ll be ok haha
|
|
|
Post by sean on Nov 20, 2020 20:55:24 GMT -6
I’m working at Echo Mountain this weekend, I’ll see if my experience is the same as Dan’s
I’m usually a GML or John Hardy guy when it comes to acoustic music but I’m interested to hear the Neve...I’m going to keep it all on the console if I can.
|
|
|
Post by sean on Nov 17, 2020 6:53:53 GMT -6
Thanks to the wonders of the internet I’ve found just about every part I need for my Auditronics console. Just need a power supply and couple output cards, and a few more input channels. It only had one leg, so I dropped the one I had off at a metal fabrication shop to get a new pair made, and a buddy it going to make new wood side panels as well. So it should look pretty sharp! Make a thread about the console once its up and running. Please include lots of pictures. ---- For me, I got the WORNG snare drum from Mapex on Friday. I hope the right one comes in soon. Right now it's total taken apart, but a good friend of mine gave me a power supply yesterday. The Auditronics was Jim Dickinson's, I don't know if it was ever installed at his Zebra Ranch, or it was just something he acquired and stored, but it's the only thing I've ever bought where my wife cried and said "I can't believe we have something the Jim owned in our house!" She is a huge Replacements and Big Star fan...it really took me by surprise that she would have such an emotional reaction to it.
|
|