• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Need Your Reocmmendation- We need a console immediately

J

joshzz

It appears our console either went bad or needs a fuse - Our engineer is going to look at it first thing next morning.

Our new console will be used for both, on-air and production. It will have to do both. It needs be able to run a USB into a computer for both production and live-on air. Currently we are using a Edirol M-100 FX (possibly broken now). We chose this because it was small and people recommended it. At this point we're looking for something compact and a bit stronger . We use Electrovoice RE-20 mics.

Which console would you recommend?

Appreciate your recommendations on a replacement console!
 
Audioarts makes a console called the Air3. Is it too advanced or costly for your needs (about $3,500)?

note: I have no real life experience with this board, so I can't speak to it's performance. Other Audioarts boards, however, function well.
 
Hi Goran and others!

Thank you for your help!

Goran, we need to use it for production and some live broadcasts. TO all: Your recommendations would be appreciated.

josh
 
Not clear what kind of station this is, or your needs, but best to bite the bullet and install something that can grow with your programing demands.

Being a digital cynic, I would install a broadcast-level sound card in the computer (like the Audio Science series), that can be fed analog, balanced audio. Then install a true analog broadcast console which has monitor muting, more than one program buss and is generally built for long term use. Digital consoles have their place in large, multi-studio installations, but are way too expensive for a single-studio small station.

With that in mind, I would recommend the smallest Audioarts R55E. Installed one 2 years ago at a classical/jazz station, they are very happy with it. Comes with a 4 channel mike preamp; and the monitor module has a 6X1 switcher you wire up for extra inputs. The channels can be remotely switched on and off--which allows you to interface with certain radio automation programs that allow for external relay commands. I use this feature to handle switching three different network feeds on and off through the console with Simian.

Minor design "problem" is that the audio wiring is done through "D" connectors. However, with my installs, I just wired up every input to barrier strips mounted below the console, making it easy to change input wiring "on the fly" as needed. They send crimp connectors and a crimp tool, but I soldered my connectors since the crimp tool was too difficult for me to use as a lefty.

I've installed several of these consoles, they are very well built. Only problem I've had has been with the most recent install--they've drunk this European ROHS Koolaid and the parts on the mike preamp are coming "unglued" because they didn't solder them in place (or use real solder, whatever).

The problem with the small mixer boards--unless they are going into your own, private recording studio, is that most do not stand up to any abuse, nor, once broken, are they easily fixed. They have their place in light duty use or "set it and forget it" PA mixes (such as in a church or small auditorium). But broadcast use demands something more rugged.
 
I think Josh is looking for a piece of equipment that a lot of people will be looking for in a year or two. Josh is ahead of the game: he actually has something on the air, and has had time to know what works well for him and what he wishes he could add to his set-up.

Once the FCC works its way through implementing the newly passed law regarding LPFMs, starts receiving applications and issuing some Construction Permits, there will be a LOT of people who need the flexibility that Josh described but having definite limits on what they are either able or willing to pay.

If an LPFM is going to have a big staff of volunteers who come in once a week to do a show "live" then yes, the need is for a DURABLE board, maybe one with a traditional broadcast style layout because a lot of these volunteers have probably had some radio experience way back when.

If the station is going to be highly automated and very few people will have a key to get in and either "mother-hen" a local game broadcast, or do production for the automation, then a more "audio mixder" layout will work.

So, Josh, as you reply to some of the questions and suggestions, consider doing a favor to all the wanna-bees who want to follow in your footsteps. Save some of the rest of us from walking down some dead-end paths.
 
If you want a good console I second the stay away from Arrakis comment... A Radio Systems Console can't be beat for taking a pounding 24-7. We have never had a bit of trouble out of our Radio Systems we have 4 of them with ZERO down time ..The AudioArts we have is a different story. Wish it was as stable and as tough as the Radio Systems
 
radiovigilante said:
If you want a good console I second the stay away from Arrakis comment... A Radio Systems Console can't be beat for taking a pounding 24-7. We have never had a bit of trouble out of our Radio Systems we have 4 of them with ZERO down time ..The AudioArts we have is a different story. Wish it was as stable and as tough as the Radio Systems
Click to expand...

I'll second the comments about Radio Systems. I put one in about a year ago for a start up sports talker that doubles duty in both on air and production uses. It has been rock solid. Also, it was easy to install with RJ45 to break outs on the audio and even some of the control wiring. Working alone I had the studio up and running in two weekends. It's well designed and built broadcast gear and the company has a good reputation for supporting what they've built. I'd recommend Radio Systems to any client with hesitation.
 
I specify the Audioarts R55E every chance I get. Whatever model you choose, if you will have a phone hybrid in that studio, make SURE that the console has a Mono 1 and/or Mono 2 output to feed the hybrid. The Air 3 does not have one. The Arrakis (avoid at all costs) does not have one. That is an often overlooked point that will make the installer look pretty stupid when the time comes to figure out how to hook the hybrid up & have it function in a user friendly way.
 
petsy said:
Bill DeFelice said:
I would avoid anything that has the name Arrakis on it.
Click to expand...

Why? Arrakis has some really well made gear on their shelves. The 1200 series is great imho.
Click to expand...

If you enjoy mediocre build quality, overpriced surcharges on parts orders and VCA chips that blow like fuses you'll love the Arrakis stuff. I had several 1200 series consoles and an ARC-10 (and wrote the ARC-10 review for Radio World) and would never install another one in any facility ever!

radiovigilante said:
If you want a good console I second the stay away from Arrakis comment... A Radio Systems Console can't be beat for taking a pounding 24-7. We have never had a bit of trouble out of our Radio Systems we have 4 of them with ZERO down time ..The AudioArts we have is a different story. Wish it was as stable and as tough as the Radio Systems
Click to expand...

I second the vote for Radio Systems. I had the pleasure of meeting company President Dan Braverman and got a tour of the plant. Their consoles are well built and designed and durable. Not a bad box.

test123 said:
Bob...

According to the Arrakis website the 1200 Series consoles do allow for a dip switch selectable mix minus for feeding a phone hybrid.
http://www.arrakis-systems.com/1200.html
Click to expand...

As one who had several 1200 consoles it's not dip switches but two-pin header jumpers that configure the mix-minus option.

While I would like to have gotten a Radio Systems console my current favorites are the Dynamax consoles and Dave Strode at Sandies is top-notch for service, be it for a brand new console or for keeping an older one in tip top shape.
 
Amen brother,

I had a station with Arriakis model 12000, and the smaller 1200's as well. I should have bought stock in the semiconductor business. We had to keep a box of 5532's and SM2016?'s. Well, that was 18 years ago. It had nothing to do with grounding, but was a problem with the mother board design. My next stop had A500 Wheatstones, which are arguably the best consoles ever made.

Bill DeFelice said:
petsy said:
Bill DeFelice said:
I would avoid anything that has the name Arrakis on it.
Click to expand...

Why? Arrakis has some really well made gear on their shelves. The 1200 series is great imho.
Click to expand...

If you enjoy mediocre build quality, overpriced surcharges on parts orders and VCA chips that blow like fuses you'll love the Arrakis stuff. I had several 1200 series consoles and an ARC-10 (and wrote the ARC-10 review for Radio World) and would never install another one in any facility ever!

radiovigilante said:
If you want a good console I second the stay away from Arrakis comment... A Radio Systems Console can't be beat for taking a pounding 24-7. We have never had a bit of trouble out of our Radio Systems we have 4 of them with ZERO down time ..The AudioArts we have is a different story. Wish it was as stable and as tough as the Radio Systems
Click to expand...

I second the vote for Radio Systems. I had the pleasure of meeting company President Dan Braverman and got a tour of the plant. Their consoles are well built and designed and durable. Not a bad box.

test123 said:
Bob...

According to the Arrakis website the 1200 Series consoles do allow for a dip switch selectable mix minus for feeding a phone hybrid.
http://www.arrakis-systems.com/1200.html
Click to expand...

As one who had several 1200 consoles it's not dip switches but two-pin header jumpers that configure the mix-minus option.

While I would like to have gotten a Radio Systems console my current favorites are the Dynamax consoles and Dave Strode at Sandies is top-notch for service, be it for a brand new console or for keeping an older one in tip top shape.
Click to expand...
 
As one who had several 1200 consoles it's not dip switches but two-pin header jumpers that configure the mix-minus option.
Click to expand...

I have never used an Arrakis console. I was only going by what was posted on the Arrakis website.

Bob...

Again I have not used an Air-3 but I have used other Audioarts consoles. According to the literature on their website the Air-3 has a 13th phone caller fader. There are RJ-45 jacks on the back of the console that are used to send and receive audio from your hybrid.

The mix minus that feeds the hybrid would be PGM 1 or PGM 2 or both.

The Air-3 will provide you a contact to Ground that you can use to turn on your hybrid. I do that with an R-60. Turning on the phone module will act like pressing the on button to allow a Telos One in my case to null the line.

To me it looks like the Air-3 will do what you want it to do.

Test123
 
test123 said:
As one who had several 1200 consoles it's not dip switches but two-pin header jumpers that configure the mix-minus option.
Click to expand...

I have never used an Arrakis console. I was only going by what was posted on the Arrakis website.

Bob...

Again I have not used an Air-3 but I have used other Audioarts consoles. According to the literature on their website the Air-3 has a 13th phone caller fader. There are RJ-45 jacks on the back of the console that are used to send and receive audio from your hybrid.

The mix minus that feeds the hybrid would be PGM 1 or PGM 2 or both.

The Air-3 will provide you a contact to Ground that you can use to turn on your hybrid. I do that with an R-60. Turning on the phone module will act like pressing the on button to allow a Telos One in my case to null the line.

To me it looks like the Air-3 will do what you want it to do.

Test123
Click to expand...
Thanks Test...While that arrangement may be functional for many setups, I recently ran into a situation where a station needed to air 1 live high school ball game and record another using Audition while being able to talk down the phone line to the live talent. To me, anything that requires the use of the Program or Audition outputs to feed the hybrid leaves something to be desired. After using the old Auditronics 2500 and the newer Auditronics R55E with the very flexible Mono 1 / Mono 2 outputs to feed the hybrid(s), anything less leaves me feeling like it just isn't all it could be.

That said, there is one I'm looking at which seems to have a 'phone' button on each fader which can be fed to an external hybrid without tying up the Program or Audition outputs. That is the AEQ Bravo. While the R55E has 2 outputs (Mono 1 and Mono 2), I've never used more than 1. So my initial feeling is that the AEQ may be suitable for the situation I described at the start of this reply.
 
The R-55E is a good bit more console than the Air-3. It is really what I would call a 3 buss console. There is a 4th buss but it is PRE. That might work well for an extra phone module.

Every situation is different. Not familiar with the AEQ console. I have using AEQ ISDN units. They seem ok.

t123
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom