Raf Roesems wrote:

We're in the market for a new mixing console. There are a few options (that
are within budget):

SSL 4000 series, an older API, Trident 80 series or a Neve VR.
I have a question regarding the VR's: why is it that there are so many
available and that they are relatively cheap compared to the other three?

They aren't fashionable. Everybody wants to mix on an SSL today. There
just isn't a lot of street buzz about the VR.

So, I'm just wondering? Is a VR a bad investment then? Or is it that they
require a lot more servicing than an SSL? Are they more maintenance-prone?

The VR is probably going to be easier to maintain than an SSL 4000, and it
sure sounds a lot better. But, the SSL 4000 will probably bring in more
business. Do you have a good existing client base?
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

On 07/09/04 3:44 PM, in article , "Scott Dorsey"
wrote:

Raf Roesems wrote:

We're in the market for a new mixing console. There are a few options (that
are within budget):

SSL 4000 series, an older API, Trident 80 series or a Neve VR.
I have a question regarding the VR's: why is it that there are so many
available and that they are relatively cheap compared to the other three?

They aren't fashionable. Everybody wants to mix on an SSL today. There
just isn't a lot of street buzz about the VR.

So, I'm just wondering? Is a VR a bad investment then? Or is it that they
require a lot more servicing than an SSL? Are they more maintenance-prone?

The VR is probably going to be easier to maintain than an SSL 4000, and it
sure sounds a lot better. But, the SSL 4000 will probably bring in more
business. Do you have a good existing client base?
--scott

Yes, the client base is good. I'm more than happy on that level.
I agree with you that the VR sounds better. I have worked on both consoles
quite a bit. Even the Flying Faders are okay to me because of their ease of
use ( and their ease of going back one step).
On the maintenance thing: I've heard numerous horrible stories on their
heavy maintenance needs because of their high heat production. But, on this
topic I'm a quite ignorant, and I greatly appreciate your and other people's
opinion regarding VR maintenance.

On 07/09/04 3:44 PM, in article , "Scott Dorsey"
wrote:

Raf Roesems wrote:

We're in the market for a new mixing console. There are a few options (that
are within budget):

SSL 4000 series, an older API, Trident 80 series or a Neve VR.
I have a question regarding the VR's: why is it that there are so many
available and that they are relatively cheap compared to the other three?

They aren't fashionable. Everybody wants to mix on an SSL today. There
just isn't a lot of street buzz about the VR.

So, I'm just wondering? Is a VR a bad investment then? Or is it that they
require a lot more servicing than an SSL? Are they more maintenance-prone?

The VR is probably going to be easier to maintain than an SSL 4000, and it
sure sounds a lot better. But, the SSL 4000 will probably bring in more
business. Do you have a good existing client base?
--scott

Yes, the client base is good. I'm more than happy on that level.
I agree with you that the VR sounds better. I have worked on both consoles
quite a bit. Even the Flying Faders are okay to me because of their ease of
use ( and their ease of going back one step).
On the maintenance thing: I've heard numerous horrible stories on their
heavy maintenance needs because of their high heat production. But, on this
topic I'm a quite ignorant, and I greatly appreciate your and other people's
opinion regarding VR maintenance.

Raf Roesems
Yes, the client base is good. I'm more than happy on that level.
I agree with you that the VR sounds better. I have worked on both consoles
quite a bit.

I agree that VR's sound better than older SSL's. But here in the USA
anyway, support for parts is pathetically bad, it is much more reliable to go
straight to AMS-Neve in the UK than to go through US Customer service.

On the maintenance thing: I've heard numerous horrible stories on their
heavy maintenance needs because of their high heat production.

Some people bring the air ducts right up underneath the console -you get
used to working at 68 degrees F. g Make sure the power supply stays cool
and clean and dustfree.

Also the factory that made the push button switches for the gates on the
dynamics modules stopped making them, and there were just a few spares
available at Neve. At least this is how it was last time I checked. On our
Neve 55's where I work, our maintanance guys rebuild every one that fails
because it has been YEARS difficult to get spares.

Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Off the Morning Show! & sleepin' In... / Fox News
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

Raf Roesems
Yes, the client base is good. I'm more than happy on that level.
I agree with you that the VR sounds better. I have worked on both consoles
quite a bit.

I agree that VR's sound better than older SSL's. But here in the USA
anyway, support for parts is pathetically bad, it is much more reliable to go
straight to AMS-Neve in the UK than to go through US Customer service.

On the maintenance thing: I've heard numerous horrible stories on their
heavy maintenance needs because of their high heat production.

Some people bring the air ducts right up underneath the console -you get
used to working at 68 degrees F. g Make sure the power supply stays cool
and clean and dustfree.

Also the factory that made the push button switches for the gates on the
dynamics modules stopped making them, and there were just a few spares
available at Neve. At least this is how it was last time I checked. On our
Neve 55's where I work, our maintanance guys rebuild every one that fails
because it has been YEARS difficult to get spares.

Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Off the Morning Show! & sleepin' In... / Fox News
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits