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Mo Facta 15 February 2012

Hi guys,

So I used to have a Soundtracs PC MIDI 24 console and was pretty happy with it. I then decided it was too big and would prefer to be a little more mobile so I traded it for a Chilton CM2 and some cash. I paid about $1000 for the Soundtracs but was able to get the Chilton (9 mic/line, 1 stereo) and $650 for it. I thought that was a pretty sweet deal. The Chilton is in absolutely PRISTINE condition being from the early 80's and after taking it for a service, my tech guy told me he couldn't find a thing wrong with it. Check it out:

Anyway come to find out, the mic/line modules in my console go for about $700 EACH from a guy in Norway who refurbishes them. The stereo module goes for about $830! So, after doing a little math, the estimated value came to about $7130! I think I totally scored.

Anyone know anything else about these consoles? Particularly the history of Chilton? I've looked all over the net and can't find much about their heritage except that there is a small fraternity of fans who love Chilton stuff. The preamps are fantastic (75dB of gain!) and the mix bus is pretty quiet. I really can't believe how great a shape this console is in.

Any leads from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers :)

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Comments

RemyRAD Wed, 02/15/2012 - 22:01

I am not familiar with this brand of console/mixer. Given the information about its age I might be able to surmise this: Your Soundtracs, while it was different from my Soundtracs 16-8-16 probably utilized the same 5534AN as a microphone preamp as mine did. Whereas this Chilton may have used a National Semiconductor LM 394 super beta matched, low noise transistors for the front end of their microphone preamp and into a 5534 after that? Like MCI was doing for their tape play back & microphone inputs on their consoles. If it's lightweight, it has no Transformers in it. If it weighs 50 pounds, it does. Pounds as in weight i.e. 20 kg. Back then, 5534's were considered the state of the art audio IC chip. It's what was used in all 1980s Neve, SSL, MCI,Soundtracs consoles of the day. The difference was whether you stuck a transformer in front of that, or, a pair of low noise super beta matched transistors or build it all from discrete transistor circuitry without IC chips at all. Nice picture of the console/mixer where is the picture of the schematic? You think you're so smart because it's summer where you are. I'm freezing my ass off here! But I guess the MO, the merrier?

Mom! He's laughing at me again!
Mx. Remy Ann David

Mo Facta Sat, 02/18/2012 - 23:10

Well, I found this from a guy name Daniel Benoit:

Daniel Benoit wrote:
CM2

They use opamps every where (not in class "A"). They use bipolar power supplies (+/-15V)

All those consoles use SOWTER(and/or Belclere) transformers at the inputs (mic) and at the outputs (mix and groupes). this was a standard feature. As an option, line ins and all the ouptut (aux, CR, mono) could have transfos added for ($140/ch in 1980 money).

The console is quite heavy so I assume it has the SOWTER trannies as mentioned above.

Cheers :)

moonbaby Mon, 02/20/2012 - 14:14

Chilton Audio also manufactured a large Neve-style desk called the QM-1. It had an assortment of knobs- some resembled the color-capped knobs Rean made popular in the 90's, others look they were yanked off of a Carvin mixer from the 80's.Looks like they were a UK company formerly known as Magnetic Tapes Ltd. Big and heavy. Cooool!

Mo Facta Wed, 02/22/2012 - 22:49

Yup, my buddy has one that he picked up from a local radio station for NOTHING. FREE. Apparently they said it as just taking up space and that he could have it. Luckily he's a top notch tech so he's in the process of restoring it.

The QM series are completely discreet, class-A, transformer driven beasts. Good stuff!

Cheers :)

misterlong Tue, 05/01/2012 - 08:15

yeah I got a cm-2 I use for tracking. It is awesome.
Mine has big fat belclere trannies in it. think it came from the bbc here in the uk. I cannot fault it. some serious money's worth of preamps.
mine is 6 mic/line and 4 stereo line. Really good clean pres but with a bit of mojo if you hit the input trannies.
Super nice. Enjoy it man. I would love more mic inputs!! I have my eyes peeled for another one!!
long

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