angelo2979
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2008
- Messages
- 74
Hi all,
I have this Idea bothering me, of a custom console acting as a nice routing matrix to get mixes OTB without any sound coloration, with hands on faders and outboard integration.
And I finally decided to post here....thought it could be a nice and fun topic ;D
THE IDEA
the idea is simple. I d'like something as transparent as ever, signal coming out from the AD converters should ideally null out to what comes out from the console. I don't want features I don't need , like preamps or summing (I would use external summing). So the board should just be a bunch of channels with a double signal path, arranged as follows:
Line in/bus trimmers and phase switches - 8 pre/post auxes + 8 or16 busses (only things needing a dedicated summing section) - a couple of insert switches for quick insert comparison - Nice large faders -
small faders or knobs for path B (mostly used as returns) - Solos, mutes, etc, and that, more or less, is it.
An Eq section, going from a simple LPF/HPF filter design to something nicer and more expensive, could be included depending on costs...
As for the master section, I would use external sum, so it could be as simple as a couple of trimmers for the auxes/busses. Other features would be chosen depending on costs (from a monitor/talkback system to some cool mastering processing -like an M/S matrix and so on)...
- The point is, shortest signal path, highest quality on components and paths, with compromise rather applied to the number of features then on the sound quality itself.
... actually I can see that Speck's Lilo shares the same design concept (even if I don't know what's inside those boards), but as you can see I want more routing options, no summing, and diy prices..
THE QUESTIONS
- Given the info above, would you, experienced users, be able to give me a rough estimate of how much such a channel strip could end up costing just looking at the BOM? (yes sir, just for fun)
- Should such a simple design include transformers, or would it be electronically balanced? - Or, I'd rather ask, what choice would be better, given that "no coloration" is the main purpose here?
- Would you have any design notes or suggestions for such a project?
- Does it make sense to you to go the DIY/Custom route ? Would both my wallet and my ears thank me for that?
Any input is appreciated! Thank you.
I have this Idea bothering me, of a custom console acting as a nice routing matrix to get mixes OTB without any sound coloration, with hands on faders and outboard integration.
And I finally decided to post here....thought it could be a nice and fun topic ;D
THE IDEA
the idea is simple. I d'like something as transparent as ever, signal coming out from the AD converters should ideally null out to what comes out from the console. I don't want features I don't need , like preamps or summing (I would use external summing). So the board should just be a bunch of channels with a double signal path, arranged as follows:
Line in/bus trimmers and phase switches - 8 pre/post auxes + 8 or16 busses (only things needing a dedicated summing section) - a couple of insert switches for quick insert comparison - Nice large faders -
small faders or knobs for path B (mostly used as returns) - Solos, mutes, etc, and that, more or less, is it.
An Eq section, going from a simple LPF/HPF filter design to something nicer and more expensive, could be included depending on costs...
As for the master section, I would use external sum, so it could be as simple as a couple of trimmers for the auxes/busses. Other features would be chosen depending on costs (from a monitor/talkback system to some cool mastering processing -like an M/S matrix and so on)...
- The point is, shortest signal path, highest quality on components and paths, with compromise rather applied to the number of features then on the sound quality itself.
... actually I can see that Speck's Lilo shares the same design concept (even if I don't know what's inside those boards), but as you can see I want more routing options, no summing, and diy prices..
THE QUESTIONS
- Given the info above, would you, experienced users, be able to give me a rough estimate of how much such a channel strip could end up costing just looking at the BOM? (yes sir, just for fun)
- Should such a simple design include transformers, or would it be electronically balanced? - Or, I'd rather ask, what choice would be better, given that "no coloration" is the main purpose here?
- Would you have any design notes or suggestions for such a project?
- Does it make sense to you to go the DIY/Custom route ? Would both my wallet and my ears thank me for that?
Any input is appreciated! Thank you.