The Multi-Thousand Dollar Question: New Console

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:04 am

Interesting find...

Any opinions on the Studiomaster 24-4-2 console (EDIT: It's a Studiomaster 16 with 2 4 channel add-ons)? I found one for a very attractice price (likely some issues since it's a console from the 80s). What I know is that it's a british company and has been used by the likes of Phil Collins and others (big whoop, I know, but that has to mean a little something, huh?)

Questions/concerns:

I read a review of some interesting/troubling 'zipper' type sounds from the pop of each row in the led ladders turning on and off as the meters bounce up and down. Can someone confirm this or was it an isolated case?

Thanks for your input!

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:08 pm

This is one console which I would NEVER recommend to anyone. You'll run out of headroom way before you get signals up to the level you'll want to get any warmth.

The routing on them is quite good, the pres arent any better than Mackies and the sliders get noisy real quick.

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:50 pm

That's exactly what I needed to know. I had a feeling it was too cheap to be any good.

Much appreciated Dave, I'm sure I'll be back with more questions soon.

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 3:43 pm

I've been put on the trail of an old Soundcraft console that supposedly came out of a broadcast studio. It's old and discontinued, but I'm told it's in great shape except for the small bit of duct tape on the meterbridge. Right now it's at a local studio being checked out to see that everything operates as it should. The guy that brought it to my attention said there wasn't even dust on it, the faders are smooth as glass, its got a built in patch bay and that it's wide and heavy (wide and heavy has to be good, right?). With that said, I don't know what model it is and I can't make it out to be any that are listed on Soundcraft's website. I need to do some research on it, but I need your help to find it first! Here are a few photos he snapped.

Any clues as to the model of the console and the year it was made would be great.

thanks!

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 5:25 pm

I think its a 1624. DOB around the early 80's. Very fine console and if its as low milage as you seem to think and all the switches check out as well as the caps and such, this would be the upgrade you're looking for. Make absolutely sure there are ZERO issues with the power supplies. These go boom and so it takes out most everything else. If this board is inexpensive it would behoove you to have a specialty shop build an upgraded power supply. That way you are assured many years of fun and frolic.

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:29 pm

Davedog you're the man. I'll be sure to ask about the power supply, but who would build an upgraded power supply for me? Any specific shops in mind?

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 1:08 pm

Have you looked in to Carvin at all? Carvin products, especially the more expensive ones, have always had excellent quality, at least in my experience. My church has a Carvin board, and it is quite nice. This is their top-of-the-line model: https://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=sl40c I'd say it's worth consideration, expecially considering that the build quality on these is truly excellent.

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:30 am

I hadn't much looked at Carvin in the past but I took just now and it looks like their S/L model is out of my price range. That's why I'm looking into something a little older.

Thanks for the tip though, every thought is appreciated!

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:26 pm

Quick update on the 1624. I just got back from taking a look at it today. The stand and power supply cable were not on site so I didn't get to see it power up or hear anything through it, however I 'felt it up' so to speak and the faders truly are smooth. wow.

I need a quick bit of advice on this next part though... Well, really just someone to tell me if I'm crazy or not.

The seller was told that this console is worth $5k. For a little background, the console was given to him after the console in his club was stolen. He couldn't use it because its a recording console and its far too large for his space. At this point, it seems like he's really just trying to get rid of it since it doesn't fit his application. I'm not prepared to spend that much on it and I don't think its worth $5k based on what I've read and researched on the internet. He also indicated that it wasn't necessarily his asking price.

I'm preparing to offer to take it sight unseen (powered up, anyway) and unheard for $2500. Along with this I'll assume all the risk of it not powering up and having an issue or two here or there. At the same time though, I still want a good tech to take a look at it after I make the purchase.

So am I crazy to consider this? I don't know if he'll go for the offer either and I don't want to lowball him. I feel like the risks I'd be taking along with my limited budget sort of remove the stigma of 'lowball' from my offer.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:34 pm

Okay. You want to see it power up. There is simply no excuse for not doing this so whatever the owner says, you need to see the lights flash and it go through its check-in procedure. Bring a set of phones and a mic and cable and quickly go through the channels.

From the pictures I can tell you that someone hasnt used this console very much. All of the numbers of the channels at the bottom of the frame as well as the markings on the patchbay look new. These are all areas that the paint fades easily in a lot of use.

While this doesnt guarantee a pristine sounding board, it is 30 years old after all, it does give a hint to its past.

Go to Soundcrafts' web site and download the PDF files on this console. There is a complete owners/users guide still available. Read it. I think a lot of the outputs on this board are probably unbalanced. This isnt a problem if your leads to your effects and your recorder are fairly short.

The mic pres are transformerless. Low-noise but will rely on a good power supply to warm up.

Make your offer based on what you think you might have to spend to reburbish a portion of it should you find it needs things. Because its modular, learn how to dissassmble the channels and learn about how to replace switches and pots yourself. Its a lot cheaper. I know they're all on ribbon connectors so moving it wont be as much of a problem as moving something that heavy with a motherboard assembly involved.

You're gonna love the sound of it. Very underrated console.

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 12:57 pm

Thanks again Dave. I did read that it was mostly unbalanced, however my interface is probably 1.5" from my current board, and would only be about as far from the 1624. I don't think those runs should cause any problems. I've downloaded the user manuals from Soundcraft's website and have read most of them.

Thanks for all the tips, I really appreciate the help.

Joe

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:09 pm

1.5"...
I can't let that one slip past. It's just too funny. You're suggesting your interface is within 2 inches of your console?

Also, sweet looking console. Paint it some shiny colour and clients should be impressed. Then add blue neon strips underneath, dual (quad?) exhausts, and play some loud drum'n'bass. Oh wait, this is a console, not a car...

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:39 am

Yep, those consoles can sound really nice. Don't agree anything until you have seen it powered up, not just for a couple of minutes, but for a hour or so.

Dave's advice about taking along a mic, XLR cable and phones is good. You may find some channels simply don't work, which would not be surprising in a unit of that vintage. Write down as you go along everything that appears not to be correct. If at the end of the testing you are prepared to make an offer, point to your list and bargain at, say, $250 - $500 per fault, depending on the severity.

Good luck with this - you could have yourself a really sweet sounding console.

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:33 pm

When I went to take a look at it I took a set of phones a mic cable and a mic to check it out but I wasn't aware that the power cable wasn't with it yet so I'm on the same page as you there. Thanks for the pointers guys, and yes, I did mean 1.5 feet.

thanks for pointing that out. Razz

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:29 pm

Well the saga comes to an end. Yesterday I went to Pacific Pro Audio and bought their ATB 16 after calling a few days before only to find out that it was on sale because they're moving! How great is that?! It's now all wired up in my studio except for the 2 into 1 cable to route the main outs of my converters into the single stereo TRS 2 track return jack. Pres sound SOO much better, EQ is clear and effective, faders are a great improvement from my old mackie. Thumbs Up

Thanks for the help with my research and decisions everyone, especially DaveDog. I appreciate having the insight of veterans to help guide my decisions. I predict many years of joy and prosperity with my new console. Smile

Again, thanks.

Joe

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