Hello:
I want to build a 24 channel discrete balanced summing mixer with gain, mute and pan controls on each channel while having four AUX SENDS with gain and pan controls per channel and just two main outputs. So that would mean I want:
Channel Strips:
24 Input Transformers (line level)
24 Output Transformers (line output or interstage)
24 Discrete gain stages (set for highest headroom)
24 (2) Deck rotary switches (gain controls)
24 (4) Deck rotary switches (pan controls)
96 (2) Deck rotary switches (gain controls)-AUX SENDS
96 (4) Deck rotary switches (pan controls) -AUX SENDS
24 Relays for Mute functions
Each channel would have to have an Input line level transformer followed by a gain stage
with gain and pan controls followed by an Output or Interstage transformer. I assume this
would be enough current to feed the signal to four AUX SEND gain stages and the Left and Right
MAIN OUTPUT stages. Is this correct?
Then each channel would have control over level and pan on the main channels while having level
and pan control on the AUX SENDS.
The AUX RETURNS would be treated the same as four additional channels with an Input line level
transformer into a gain stage with level control and then routed to the MAIN OUTPUT summing
stages.
This would add the following:
AUX RETURNS:
4 Input Transformers (line level)
4 Discrete gain stages (set at line level)
4 Relays for Mute functions
4 (4) Deck rotary switches (gain controls)-AUX RETURNS
For the output section there would be LEFT and RIGHT Discrete gain SUMMING output stages for
the summing of the 24 channels and the 4 AUX RETURN channels followed by two Output
Transformers. A headphone amplifier would be included. There would be balanced outputs from
the transformers as well as two sets of unbalanced transformers to drive "stereo Hi-fi amplifiers."
There will be analog VU meters on at least the MASTER OUTPUTS if not every channel.
MASTER SUMMING:
2 (2) Deck rotary switches (master gain controls)-MASTER SUMMING
2 Output Transformers (line level) MASTER OUTPUTS
2 to 30 Analog VU Meters (at minimum 2 on MASTER OUTPUTS)
I have drawn preliminary schematics for this by looking at Fred Forssell's and other mixer schematics.
Does this seem possible? I know it will be expensive and hard to complete, but the rewards would be great.
I could cheapen the project but not using transformers, using unbalanced signals, using cheap switches, and of course using monolithic op-amps. But this is going to be the "CENTERPIECE" of my studio like an old small Neve 8016 or a API 1608.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Kevin Peek
Modern Recording
Tampa, FL
I want to build a 24 channel discrete balanced summing mixer with gain, mute and pan controls on each channel while having four AUX SENDS with gain and pan controls per channel and just two main outputs. So that would mean I want:
Channel Strips:
24 Input Transformers (line level)
24 Output Transformers (line output or interstage)
24 Discrete gain stages (set for highest headroom)
24 (2) Deck rotary switches (gain controls)
24 (4) Deck rotary switches (pan controls)
96 (2) Deck rotary switches (gain controls)-AUX SENDS
96 (4) Deck rotary switches (pan controls) -AUX SENDS
24 Relays for Mute functions
Each channel would have to have an Input line level transformer followed by a gain stage
with gain and pan controls followed by an Output or Interstage transformer. I assume this
would be enough current to feed the signal to four AUX SEND gain stages and the Left and Right
MAIN OUTPUT stages. Is this correct?
Then each channel would have control over level and pan on the main channels while having level
and pan control on the AUX SENDS.
The AUX RETURNS would be treated the same as four additional channels with an Input line level
transformer into a gain stage with level control and then routed to the MAIN OUTPUT summing
stages.
This would add the following:
AUX RETURNS:
4 Input Transformers (line level)
4 Discrete gain stages (set at line level)
4 Relays for Mute functions
4 (4) Deck rotary switches (gain controls)-AUX RETURNS
For the output section there would be LEFT and RIGHT Discrete gain SUMMING output stages for
the summing of the 24 channels and the 4 AUX RETURN channels followed by two Output
Transformers. A headphone amplifier would be included. There would be balanced outputs from
the transformers as well as two sets of unbalanced transformers to drive "stereo Hi-fi amplifiers."
There will be analog VU meters on at least the MASTER OUTPUTS if not every channel.
MASTER SUMMING:
2 (2) Deck rotary switches (master gain controls)-MASTER SUMMING
2 Output Transformers (line level) MASTER OUTPUTS
2 to 30 Analog VU Meters (at minimum 2 on MASTER OUTPUTS)
I have drawn preliminary schematics for this by looking at Fred Forssell's and other mixer schematics.
Does this seem possible? I know it will be expensive and hard to complete, but the rewards would be great.
I could cheapen the project but not using transformers, using unbalanced signals, using cheap switches, and of course using monolithic op-amps. But this is going to be the "CENTERPIECE" of my studio like an old small Neve 8016 or a API 1608.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Kevin Peek
Modern Recording
Tampa, FL