Top 5 Things to Consider BEFORE Buying a Console

Here are my top 5 things you should consider before purchasing a console.

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[MixingMusicAnalog]

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[Rhuggins]

Thanks for you time here. Honestly, a setup like yours (even without the console) - is a dream for me. I have come a long way from where I started, and have some nice monitors and some fancy SSL outboard. BUT, for a regular hobbyist like me (however passionate I may be)- the prospect of acquiring a well specced analog hybrid system comparable to yours is daunting. I am extremely motivated and know its going to take years- and am prepared for that, but the grind of very long term saving to that goal is huge. Its inspiring to see studios like yours, and though I know you are a professional, I cant help but sometimes wonder if I’ll ever get there. All in time (hopefully). Thanks so much for the inspiration

[ABS_AD]

Thanks for a great video.

Coming from a digital world, for me it was a big learning curve when I started to learn SSL G series desk. What I found hard is the lack of DAW style instant recall, zeroing the desk for every session, contrasting sonic differences between the desk and DAW and the kind of approach we need to take working in the DAW VS working on the console. It’s even more different when you start recording to tape via the console. I didn’t even expect such stark contrasts between both.

Thank you very much for all your amazing videos.

[Tibbon]

I'm in the process of buying a 1970s MCI JH-500 console for my home studio. I'm a bit scared of the maintenance, but overall really excited for the expanded capacities and sonic footprint. I'll have enough channels to cut an 4/5 piece band live, and the capacity to do a hybrid tape/DAW workflow. Lots of inputs and routing flexibility!

[djpanntro]

My friend, I love your videos, I live in Toronto Canada, I'm a crazy lover of SSL consoles and this year I'm going to get my ORIGIN, thank you very much for the advice and for the Feedback, it's been amazing for me that I live in the digital age and Dawn more than I love the true practicality of Analog's Son and Punch, thank you very much, your videos have helped me a lot. stay with God friend, I look forward to more videos from you 🙏🏽👍🏾

[jkasko]

You don't need 240 Volts to SSL 4000. I have mine on a dedicated 30 amp 120 V circuit. I power my SSL 4000 down everyday. They also make modern power supplies that are even more efficient than the original power supply. The cost to run are not that huge. Of course, they aren't as efficient as the Origin, but you are greatly overstating what is involved with owning a true SSL 4000. The SSL 4000 are super easy to maintain, probably easier than your Origin since it is all card based. Cost wise, it more cost effective to own an original SSL 4000 because of having all the dynamics and the patch bay built in. I was considering getting an AWS instead of SSL 4000 G and it was much more cost effective to buy the 4000G.

[danymalsound]

Lots of great points here! I remember even being in production school 20 years ago and being shown the snakes in the troughs.. MILES of high-gauge cable running back and forth. Utter insanity LOL

[Mikey__R]

I don't know if you covered this in the video, but I think you were mostly talking about large format consoles. I've just bought a compact Allen & Heath GS3000 24 channel 8 bus, late 90s vintage. A lot of the concerns such as power consumption and failing components aren't an issue on an IC desk like that.

I should be taking delivery this weekend. Let's hope it's in as good condition as the seller says it is.

[thesongwriter]

Yet, another brilliant and very informative video. Thank you!

[alexovercast]

I have an old Ramsa on long term loan from a friend who doesn't have the space. I do a ton of stuff (composition, sound design, arrangement etc.) exclusively in Ableton. I like running stuff out to the desk just for that preamp saturation and occasionally that old school eq. I still mix in the box - but sometimes putting sampled drums/perc out to the desk and certain synths to the desk, then to cassette just makes the material more interesting, less clean. It all comes back in the box with a little magic on it - then I mix in the box. Electronic music, I find, benefits from the hybrid approach. Too clean and it's boring, too much dirt/crunch/saturation it doesn't hit right.

Horses for courses.

[wearashirt]

I have 90's live console. Love the sound coming off the console, but I realized that the trip back into the converters for printing does bring it back to that ITB sound - necessitating the need for top shelf interfaces a must. Aside from that, it's the scratchiness, dead IC's, and occssionally blowing your ears out from monitoring a misrouted signal or whatever

[VICLIFEDBLH]

Recently found your channel. Awesome work sir! I’m currently mixing 100% in the box with Studio one. I mix on a studio live series 3 desk with 32 faders, and a SSL UC1 to control my ssl channel strips and bus compressors. I mainly track live performances and then mix down at home. A few questions. What would be your recommendation to someone wanting to build up their analog gear inventory. Where would you start? There’s so much gear on the market it is hard to find a starting point. And lastly your journey into analog has inspired me to pull my old Yamaha PM2000 out of storage and start tinkering with it for a second rig. Love the SSL origin. Hope to have one of my own one day.

[simonfma]

Excellent well thought out video ... Thank you!

[daledot]

I run a modified Soundcraft 2400 28x24x2 split with automation removed - it broke down all of the time. The rest of the console was solid after I replaced and upgraded the patchbay circuit boards and replaced all of the capacitors. It’s a fairly low power consumption design. I’m an electrical engineer so maintaining a vintage console is not a big issue for me but the maintenance and parts has not been an issue for me.

I don’t always use the preamp side, I have nicer outboard preamps that are quite nice and external nice vintage EQs but I sometimes do use the board preamps if I need more than 16 preamps. I record on two inch so not having a DAW interface is fine for me.

[eternalgospels]

Much appreciated. Thank you for all you do!

[schmook]

Thanks for the video. Very informative. I'm wondering what you think about the Yamaha Nuage? Seems like it would be great for a hybrid set up combining comprehensive control for the major DAWs and the mix console experience with automation . . .

[johnoconnor]

I’m shopping for one now. Leaning towards a DAKING mk2. I feel like he is the new Neve

[JakeLewisReal]

I'm just getting into the analog world. Have the SSL SiX coming today paired with an Orion Studio Rev17, baby steps lol.

[CurserTV]

I’m recording hip hop and rnb so maybe faderport would be better for me

[marksmusicplace]

the biggest pro vs con with owning a analog console in my opinion is does it fit the need. If a person is only truly on wanting to use plugins and concentrate on their personal projects, then a console is not necessary. But if they plan on utilizing multiple in/out signals with quite a bit of outboard gear to record bands or orchestras or multi channel sessions, then a console is almost necessary. But overall. does a person even have the high amount of clients that would require a console.