TAC Scorpion 24x8 Pre/EQ Quality...?

[innerbooty]

Hello,
I'm wanting to get some more channels of decent pre for my studio. I've got an API lunchbox now, which is great, but not enough. I may have a line on a TAC Scorpion 24x8. What are the Pre's and EQ's like on that bad boy? Would it be worth doing for a low price (under $1K?)
Beyond that, what's a good 4-channel or 8-channel mid-priced (under $1K) mic pre solution?
Thanks for your advice! - Steve

 

[Kurt Foster]

A TAC Scorpion for under $1000 is a steal. This is a large console with lots of WOW factor built in (Clients will be very impressed with it). The Scorpion is a FOH sound reinforcement console built by the reputable manufacturer AMEK. However the mic pres and EQ aren't super great. They are OK certainly better than a Mackie or say a cheap Soundcraft but defiantly not in the league with Trident, API or Neves. I would scarf up on that board though, if it is good working order and doesn't need a lot of maintenance. That's a great price. .... Fats
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Tannoy, Dynaudio, Blue Sky, JBL, Earthworks, Westlake, NS 10's , Genelec, Hafler, KRK, and PMC
Those are good. …………………….. Pick one.
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[Mike Simmons]

I own a Scorpion II so here goes... you'll need outboard pres. It's a headroom issue with these pres. It seems like the gain trim has all its' throw in the last tiny bit of the pot so it's easy to nail 'em. The eq is usable but a bit annoying to me. Specifically: is it too much to ask that a signal sounds the same if the eq is switched in and the pots are set at detent? It's too much to ask of a Scorpion! Also, the balanced/unbalanced nature of the board has stumped a few of the techs I've had in here. Take a good look at the subs and make sure you understand what you're getting into with them. I wish I had better things to say about this board, afterall I own one. I've done upgrades with Jim Williams at Audio Upgrades and made a significant improvement. If I had it to do all over again I'd have purchased a Neotek. Good luck!

 

[Chris Maxin]

Yeah, me too. I had one and it was super warm. I liked the eq. It was pretty precise. i miss it .

 

[ciminosound]

The Scorpion I was inside of had SSM2017 ICs as the mic pre, good for an IC based pre. It had a pretty standard TLO72 based EQ. If you need a console like that, I'll second what Fats said (yet again Fats) and say for under a Grand it's a great deal.

I'm not sure what's out there for an eight channel pre that's going to use better parts than a Scorpion. Most mid priced stuff uses the same kind of IC's run at the same kind of power supply voltages. This translates directly to headroon issues. Learn to DIY. Visit the tech talk forum here and get your feet wet. Even if you learn the basics you could buy a Jensen/Hardy 990 discrete op amp from John Hardy for $50. YOU would have to turn it into a pre amp though. One channel of Hardy M1 lists at $1120.00

PS You always could used another outboard mic pre.