Need ideas for a mixing console enclosure

[sponzorb]

Back in the 70s I briefly considered designing and selling kit consoles. I had fun fleshing out definitions for modular building blocks that could be cobbled together to generate multiple different and useful mixer configurations.

I soon realized that this approach would never be cost effective to compete against purpose built value mixers. But it was fun to think about.

JR

Oh that’s interesting. Maybe something has changed now because the cost of one of these units fully loaded with mic/line amps is ~$1-1.5k (but still figuring out the exact number). That’s basically 8 312 mic pres and 8 325 line amps + summing! Pretty good from a cost standpoint.

 

[JohnRoberts]

Oh that’s interesting. Maybe something has changed now because the cost of one of these units fully loaded with mic/line amps is ~$1-1.5k (but still figuring out the exact number). That’s basically 8 312 mic pres and 8 325 line amps + summing! Pretty good from a cost standpoint.

Indeed but what has changed is that the bang for the buck from value mixers has dramatically increased since the 1970s... So it would make even less sense now.

Of course DIY cost is not as much of a factor today as it was back when I ran my kit business. Back then people bought and built kits to save money.

JR

 

[sponzorb]

Indeed but what has changed is that the bang for the buck from value mixers has dramatically increased since the 1970s... So it would make even less sense now.

Of course DIY cost is not as much of a factor today as it was back when I ran my kit business. Back then people bought and built kits to save money.

JR

Yeah I think we’re looking at it from different angles. I’m not trying to start a business. I just want an API console haha. This would be a terrible business idea but it’s a great personal project.

 

[JohnRoberts]

Yeah I think we’re looking at it from different angles. I’m not trying to start a business. I just want an API console haha. This would be a terrible business idea but it’s a great personal project.

I guess it depends on how much you value your personal time/labor.

I have known a handful of people who built their own consoles, none of them ever did that twice.

JR

 

[blue_luke]

I have known a handful of people who built their own consoles, none of them ever did that twice.

JR

I am one of them! and yes, I will not do this again!

 

[RuudNL]

I have built a mixer in my younger years. (When I was 21)
That was the first one and the last one!
(At the time no affordable mixers were commercially available, so it was the only way to get what you wanted.)

 

[TomCee]

I guess it depends on how much you value your personal time/labor.

I have known a handful of people who built their own consoles, none of them ever did that twice.

JR

Audio Designs [ADM] started out building their own, all modules were metal enclosed, some customers even preferred metal/can ICs. Prospered for over 20 years... . ....

 

[13engrsapper]

Hi folks, first post here, so sorry if this is the wrong section. I’m in the process of designing and eventually building a 16 channel mixing console - 8 mono channels and 4 stereo channels. Each channel will be input balanced via THAT 1206 chips, sent to a gain stage controlled by a 2520 type op amp, then to a high/low baxandall shelving filter in a 2520 type op amp, then to a summing section with switchable output stages / transformers for different coloration options. The transformers have been sourced and the options will be Neve style with the BA283 line driver to carnhill transformer (maybe switchable between the 2n3055 and a germanium power transistor), or API style with 2520 to a steel cinemag CMOB-2S transformer, or a 990 to a high nickel cinemag CMOB-1H transformer. There are 13 channels in total including the Mix Buss.

This is a lot of stuff obviously and I need an enclosure that can hold it all. I specifically would like a desktop unit so it can have faders and knobs for the pan, eqs, trim. I found a 20”x11” hammond enclosure that might be able to fit it all with 1.53” per channel, but there’s a minimum order of 10 units with milling and printing. I’m planning to just build one for myself and I wasn’t planning to start a business. I’m an electronics guy and don’t really know anything about the enclosure side of things. Does anyone have any ideas how to properly get a mixing console enclosure built, drilled, and printed? I’m totally open and in fact partial to having modular channels, but I wouldn’t know where to begin getting that metalwork done!

Why not buy up an old Studer or similar reel to reel trolly, and build it into that. They pop up regularly.

 

[SIXTYNINER]

I have built a mixer in my younger years. (When I was 21)
That was the first one and the last one!
(At the time no affordable mixers were commercially available, so it was the only way to get what you wanted.)

View attachment 132538

That supercool old school.