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Auditronics VS Harris

D

ddrop87

Greetings! We need to replace our Auditronics console. Other than taking a pic which I didn't do earlier, this is the only pic

I could find.
http://www.kkbc.com/wmsrst.htm

Console is about dead.

Have a line on a factory refurb Harris Airwave Console within our budget.

We are analog at the moment.

Thoughts?
 
The Airwave is a good console. In fact, I'd say it's the last of the PR&E consoles before Harris. There are some of the Airwaves with PR&E and some with Harris on the label. I have several of them, and other broadcaster here in town has a whole building full of them. They work great EXCEPT they are a bit too sensitive to heat and can occationally lock up. I keep my cooler than the other group does 24/7, but I have had one of my consoles lock up twice in about five years. All in all, for digital consoles, they are good.
 
If you would want to consider another analog console I would recommend the R55E. I have 3 in my stations & installed two others for two local non-coms.

Let me know when you are ready to pull the Auditronics. From the pictures it looks to be a 2500 series, if so, I would be interested in purchasing it for parts. Still have two in service.

Contact: tpt [at] LiteRock93R.com
 
If your budget can stand it, consider the Audioarts (Wheatstone) analog and digital capable console...circa 10K...absolutely tops and is adaptable for either format...and as you know, extremely reliable...Thanks JBI.
 
I agree on Audio Arts in general, and especially the R55e consoles. They are the most bullet-proof reliable thing I've ever seen and should be less expensive than that Airwave. The Airwave is cool, but I would would rather have the R55e for most applications.
 
Another vote for the R55E consoles here. I installed two during an upgrade 6 years ago. Zero downtime.

RFB
 
R55E...nothing but thumbs up. Getting an 18 or 24 main frame (with only the number of modules needed) costs very little extra above the standard 12 channel main frame and looks very impressive if you have the room. There was a rumor that Radio Systems makes a Studio Hub item that converts the DB25 connector on each module to RJ45. If that's true, get a pile of those for several bucks each. If it isn't true, get the wiring harness Wheatstone offers. The owner will either pay you to wire all those DB25's (and regardless of how much you bill them, it won't be worth it--trust me) or they'll pay the factory about the same amount and the engineer will use countless fewer expletives during the wiring process.
 
Picked up a used 8 channel R-55E a couple of months ago (yes-used--Bay Country--suspect they were repos--real clean--I bought quick) and it only took about a day to wire up the harnesses.

I solder the D connectors--spool of 8723, shrink tube, little Vacu-vise; had the inputs to barriers underneath the table from the old console--inherited R-60, & just put it in.

Using the larger mainframe has some unseen advantages. You can group channels by use to minimize confusion for the operators. In one control room for my stations 5 channels are used for satellite feeds, while the remaining channels are used only for remotes and ball games. The automation controls the channel on/off for the satellite feeds. Grouping the satellite channels to the far left of the 18 channel console insures those faders are left up, while the part-time board operators work with the other faders on the right hand side.
 
Get your Auditronics refurbished by Lightner Electronics or get a refurbished one. They also refurbish older PR&E consoles. I still love the older ones. If on a budget and you don't need a digital board, consider a Dynamax from Dave Strode at Sandies USA.
 
Depends on his use. When our Auditronics was used for a live studio we had problems with the channel off-on switches going out from wear. Also the Audition-Program switches on some modules would not want to stay latched. The pair I have now just switch satellite feeds most of the time, and just run.
 
Tom, I'm glad to see someone else that soldered the DB25s. To be honest, I find it to be easier, and it's certainly more solid than their crimping system IMHO. I'd go with the RJ-45 adapters however, if I build another one. The flexibility is just too hard to pass up. I inquired a while ago at Radio systems and they indicated they could build an umbilical for about 1000 dollars that would connect to all the DB25s including controls and bring them down to a RJ45 block for their StudioHub system. That would be the absolute best way to go!
 
Two R55s's. First one, I cursed Wheatstone for days. I had never used the crimp types before. I finally figured it out. The little instruction page was not that great. I found a video on youtube that showed me the light. I really prefer them now. Second one, short on time, we had it come with a prewirekit, with everything premade to 66 blocks. That was handy, but plan for a place to put all the blocks and excess cable.
 
Wheatstone all the way. I have one now and it's the best. A nearby station has R-60's on the air that have been workhorses since 1998. Worked on-air with that Harris board in question. Nice rig with so-so mic pre-amps. I recall the board locking up twice on air. A reboot solved the problem - the problem being dead air during the reboot.
 
The R55E is a great console, one I would certainly recommend. I also like the Radio Systems line as well. Dynamax is also nice.

As someone else mentioned, you might want to have a look at refurbishing the console and evaluate whether that works for you. These folks do great work.

http://www.mooretronix.com/
 
Seconded on worn switches, replaced quite a few on our old 110's. I like the Harris board mentioned, the last of the real PR&E boards before Harris took over.
 
We have a Radio Systems board. One of the best boards out there,very easy to hook up, very clean. A great board.
 
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