Thing to remember is in 70s you used tape and you would push the levels to keep above the noise floor. So tape levels are up when summing 24 tracks to a 2 mix. This generation of API desk mixers had no line trim on the input. When you mixed you would pull down the faders to the dot which is 12db down from top of the fader. . That’s different than most later consoles. API had one of the first VCA automation systems and maybe they were trying to not have a line trim
, to be able to repeat mix automation setting???
Anyway later api consoles had both Line trims and mic gain controls.
Neve 1073, 1081 and other early Neve input modules have that 23 position switch that had to be rotated from mic position to line position and could be used to trim down or trim up the tape track playback. Those switches were constantly rotating when you went from tracking in mic (while monitoring on the split monitor section) to line in for mixing.. Then you had to rotate the input single mic/line switch from mic gain steps to line in steps on 16 to 24 channels to play
back and mix. Later boards used relays to switch All channel’s from mic to line and tape input to output and provide separate trims for mic and lines.
Lots more circuitry and a different sound in later consoles. Good or bad is in the ear of the beholder. More convient and more possibilities. DAVE Harrison changed all that when using early opamp and putting the monitor inline on the first MCI consoles and later his own boards. Most console companies followed and improved on that idea.
, to be able to repeat mix automation setting???
Anyway later api consoles had both Line trims and mic gain controls.
Neve 1073, 1081 and other early Neve input modules have that 23 position switch that had to be rotated from mic position to line position and could be used to trim down or trim up the tape track playback. Those switches were constantly rotating when you went from tracking in mic (while monitoring on the split monitor section) to line in for mixing.. Then you had to rotate the input single mic/line switch from mic gain steps to line in steps on 16 to 24 channels to play
back and mix. Later boards used relays to switch All channel’s from mic to line and tape input to output and provide separate trims for mic and lines.
Lots more circuitry and a different sound in later consoles. Good or bad is in the ear of the beholder. More convient and more possibilities. DAVE Harrison changed all that when using early opamp and putting the monitor inline on the first MCI consoles and later his own boards. Most console companies followed and improved on that idea.
