Auditronics 310
On 4/4/2019 5:18 PM, Mike Rivers wrote:
On 4/4/2019 3:16 PM, ChrisG wrote:
I have a 24/8/2 Auditronics 310 in storage which Im thinking of
recommissioning (mostly for line level mixing). The project holds a
lot of promise; Ive got service manuals and even a spare 4 buss
version for parts. I saw it powered up years ago, so Im fairly
confident that it can be resurrected with a bit of futzing but I
never heard it when it was working. Moving, modifying, and
troubleshooting this monster will not be trivial.
The question: Is it sonically worth the effort?
That's a pretty open question. The console is 40 or so years old, so
even if it were in brand new condition, it would sound "vintage." Is
this important? If not this console, what are your alternatives?
I predict that it will work somewhat when you power it up, but that
you'll find noisy faders, pots, and switches, and if you check it with
square waves, you'll find that it's in need of new electrolytic
capacitors in the signal path. At least it's modular, so you can work on
one channel at a time. But I'll tell you that I have a Soundcraft 600 of
about the same vintage (I bought it new in 1980) and it's just plain not
quiet enough for today's digital expectations.
Honestly, I think that, if it's really important, for the vibe, to be
working on a vintage-though-not-famous console, you shouldn't worry
about the sonics, but you'll have to put it in good enough shape so that
it sounds like it did when it was new. Then you'll have two projects,
not one.
hmmm well that didnt work ok, lets try this button
Jeez Im such a putz. Mike, thank you for the wonderful anecdote
laden reply that no one else can see. Sorry, I had no intention of
taking it to private email. Im doing newsgroups in Thunderbird for the
first time; now I know Reply goes to email and is not tacked onto the
thread. Live and learn.
Anyway, to reiterate for anyone else who may be remotely interested or
helpful:
I think Ive already convinced myself to go through with the Auditronics
project unless:
there might be someone out there with first hand experience to warn me
if this thing was just a really well built turd, even when it was new.
Or, any suggestions for groups or forums where geriatric radio folk hang
out?
BTW: Mike, The VCAs are DBX2150a.
Cheers
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