I couldn't afford an MM1000 so I had to build my own and they only reason I had a Neve was because DA audio needed me as a tech...couldn't afford to pay me...and traded me a very odd Neve console with no EQ to continue rebuilding V72 modules, of which he had a large room full of. Still have the console and the MM1200, which I could only afford cause people were discarding them at one point.
OSCAR - Open Source Console for Analogue Recording
- Thread starter pvision
- Start date
Help Support GroupDIY Audio Forum:
Getting back to the subject at hand that's near and dear to me, the basic building blocks for a Neve or API signal path are out there and well known with nice clone parts readily available.
Over the years I've had about half a dozen meetings with various small manufacturers about just such a product(modular 19" expandable console sections) but ultimately it has never been seen as viable.
The only thing to come of it is a nice passive summing device but those seemed to have fallen out of favor or maybe everyone that wants one owns one.
The approach CAPI has taken is the only one that make sense for a manufacturer in that everything used in the "kit" is something already used in other products they make...thus you don't have units sitting on shelves with the exception of the faceplates from what I can tell.
Even an open source console design requires someone to design boards, build prototypes, test and revise, source components and metal work etc etc.
That's work and most people need to get paid to do that.
I still get inquiries about building custom consoles and I have never seen one get past the basic planning and budget stage.
Oh and Ian has already done it and quite well I might add(I refer to his designs when clients ask about such projects) so all one has to do is to look his site and documents maybe download a Neve manual and go for it.
It's not hard to add up the cost per input channel in high quality parts alone...the conversation about such endeavors typically ends there but if some needs a working buss assignment pcb with illumination I have everything from a 16 CH to 4 CH assignment module already designed as well as center section cards etc.
I'm not about to upload the gerbers but I have sold the boards in the past.
If someone else wants to get the ball rolling on the design of an OSCAR I would certainly love to go over the designs and add whatever I can.
I use KiCad these days btw. That would make it accessible to anyone.
Over the years I've had about half a dozen meetings with various small manufacturers about just such a product(modular 19" expandable console sections) but ultimately it has never been seen as viable.
The only thing to come of it is a nice passive summing device but those seemed to have fallen out of favor or maybe everyone that wants one owns one.
The approach CAPI has taken is the only one that make sense for a manufacturer in that everything used in the "kit" is something already used in other products they make...thus you don't have units sitting on shelves with the exception of the faceplates from what I can tell.
Even an open source console design requires someone to design boards, build prototypes, test and revise, source components and metal work etc etc.
That's work and most people need to get paid to do that.
I still get inquiries about building custom consoles and I have never seen one get past the basic planning and budget stage.
Oh and Ian has already done it and quite well I might add(I refer to his designs when clients ask about such projects) so all one has to do is to look his site and documents maybe download a Neve manual and go for it.
It's not hard to add up the cost per input channel in high quality parts alone...the conversation about such endeavors typically ends there but if some needs a working buss assignment pcb with illumination I have everything from a 16 CH to 4 CH assignment module already designed as well as center section cards etc.
I'm not about to upload the gerbers but I have sold the boards in the past.
If someone else wants to get the ball rolling on the design of an OSCAR I would certainly love to go over the designs and add whatever I can.
I use KiCad these days btw. That would make it accessible to anyone.
john12ax7
Well-known member
Using pre-existing standards is good whenever possible. The question we've had for years is what is the ideal size of the fundamental building block. 1.5x5.25" like 500 series? That opens up lots of module options, but edac connector is too limiting for advanced routing. And 1.5" can be too narrow for some applications.
In the early 80's, it made sense to DIY a mixer, at least her in Europe. The most affordable decent mixer was the MacInnes (16x4), which cost the same as a Peugeot 504.
That was just before Tascam and Soundcraft introduced significantly cheaper models.
It's already been done. Schlumberger modules for example.
There was even a company that advertized their aluminium alloy cast frames in Studio Sound.
The main motivation for DIY'ing a console is to have it fully custom. Since anyone's dream console is different than anyone else, it's hard to find a common ground.
I killed a bunch of brain cells back in the 70/80s thinking about architecture and topologies for use in a custom kit mixer/console.
One obvious problem is interfacing between a mix of circuit blocks. To facilitate mixing and matching sundry different circuit blocks, a safe approach would use buffered low impedance outputs and differential high impedance inputs everywhere. This adds components and PS drain that isn't necessary inside dedicated mixers/consoles.
JR
A friend some month ago was at a synth diyrs meeting with also little expo of parts about,
and told me that many were talking about the need of a decent quality rack mount analog mixer
at a free bankruptcy price,
with A-B double inputs on each ch (16x2) like the features of the inline concept,
an enough enhanced eq section and 4+2 switchable (3-4/5-6) aux sends,
all controls by pots-double pots and switches,
or small faders only for the lower input row A .... even if not essential,
to place in the middle of their self-built synths rigs taking a limited 19" rack space like 5-6 units,
thus also having the possibility to insert above and below of it a number of fxs outboards
like reverb, delay, comp-lim, etc.. ,
and to use it also as analog summ , at old school way,
thus being able to control everything located at arm length in a radius of 360° ,
a mic input section on the channels seems not essential,
as all synths, drum machines, etc.. sources are line type,
thus leaving space for more useful ch insert points activable with on-off switch,
and if required an external (adj quality/level) mic pre unit would be preferred,
as it can be integrated on the rig by connecting it with its line out to the mixer or ADA,
given its size this unit would not require expensive large metal chassis, articulated routings, etc...
for the diyrs it could be available as assembly kit, like was for the Korg MS20,
perhaps with the pcb already complete of the components and tested,
even if the feeling is that it would take too much support time,
so perhaps the best thing would be a unit ready to power on and use,
that a certain amount of people, not only synth diyrs,
also a part of DAW fans would like to have a smart analog mix section for various needs,
seem to be looking for.
and told me that many were talking about the need of a decent quality rack mount analog mixer
at a free bankruptcy price,
with A-B double inputs on each ch (16x2) like the features of the inline concept,
an enough enhanced eq section and 4+2 switchable (3-4/5-6) aux sends,
all controls by pots-double pots and switches,
or small faders only for the lower input row A .... even if not essential,
to place in the middle of their self-built synths rigs taking a limited 19" rack space like 5-6 units,
thus also having the possibility to insert above and below of it a number of fxs outboards
like reverb, delay, comp-lim, etc.. ,
and to use it also as analog summ , at old school way,
thus being able to control everything located at arm length in a radius of 360° ,
a mic input section on the channels seems not essential,
as all synths, drum machines, etc.. sources are line type,
thus leaving space for more useful ch insert points activable with on-off switch,
and if required an external (adj quality/level) mic pre unit would be preferred,
as it can be integrated on the rig by connecting it with its line out to the mixer or ADA,
given its size this unit would not require expensive large metal chassis, articulated routings, etc...
for the diyrs it could be available as assembly kit, like was for the Korg MS20,
perhaps with the pcb already complete of the components and tested,
even if the feeling is that it would take too much support time,
so perhaps the best thing would be a unit ready to power on and use,
that a certain amount of people, not only synth diyrs,
also a part of DAW fans would like to have a smart analog mix section for various needs,
seem to be looking for.
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