Anyone using these? I know they are made by Harmon Intl (JBL, Crown, Lexicon). Their entry level console is dirt cheap but appears better made than the Arrakis ARC-10. We got a quote for a hair over 1k on a RW5170 8 channel model.
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Soundcraft Consoles?
- Thread starter Fieldtech1
- Start date
I've never been a fan of their cheaper stuff. I've had to endure keeping one running. No thanks...
I'd run like heck from the A company. They have a pretty long history of "issues" with previous models. Hopefully they've fixed them on the new cheap console, but I personally wouldn't want to be experimented on. I'd look at Audio Arts or Harris entry-level stuff.
Is Soundcraft making a console Specifically for radio use? Just wondering. Everything I'm familiar with that comes from them is intended for PA or recording applications. While you can make a PA or recording console work in a radio environment, I really wouldn't recommend that type of console for on air use. It might be fine on production, but the layout and switching functions you need in an on air studio are different than most of these consoles provide. Otherwise, I've owned several Soundcraft consoles over the years, and even sold them at one time. They are a good mid range manufacturer.
I know that Allen & Heath is making a radio console these days. I haven't ever used one, but their stuff is usually pretty decent. Last I looked, they were in the $1300 - $1400 range.
I know that Allen & Heath is making a radio console these days. I haven't ever used one, but their stuff is usually pretty decent. Last I looked, they were in the $1300 - $1400 range.
This is the console being considered...
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/284881.html
It would be used on a station running DG Classic Country....in the fall the station runs high school football, so a very lightly used console.
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/284881.html
It would be used on a station running DG Classic Country....in the fall the station runs high school football, so a very lightly used console.
looks good at least...
I suspect that is for the mainframe and output section only. Input modules appear to be "options." I could be wrong, but please check it out before you send someone your money. Please report back. If that is the price for a complete console, it is a real bargain, and I might want one myself!
I've never used one in broadcasting however Soundcraft has always been one of my favorites. I've installed scores of them for front of house and monitor mix use in theatre installations. I began using them in the late 70s.
They have very good sounding mic preamps, high pass filters that are tuned as they should be and very good equalizers.
They were the british boards that many other companies copied from. Very reliable.
Harman has a great stable of products...also really love the BSS Blue line for DSP to feed Lab Gruppens direct digital...kick butt and take names.
They have very good sounding mic preamps, high pass filters that are tuned as they should be and very good equalizers.
They were the british boards that many other companies copied from. Very reliable.
Harman has a great stable of products...also really love the BSS Blue line for DSP to feed Lab Gruppens direct digital...kick butt and take names.
Yes--price may be for the frame, with modules separate cost options.
See listing with this company:
http://www.ggvideo.com/sc_rm.php
See listing with this company:
http://www.ggvideo.com/sc_rm.php
By the time you buy all the modules, I think you can get a Wheatstone for less. Don't get me wrong, I like Soundcraft stuff, but at the price it appears to be for a complete console, there are quite a few other options.
For something in the price range of the Soundcraft mainframe only, take a look at Allen & Heath: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/620182-REG/Allen_Heath_ZED_XB_14_XB_14_Radio_Broadcast.html
It may not do everything you want, but for many applications, it might be a decent choice. Allen & Heath has been around about as long as Soundcraft, and originates in the UK, although I wouldn't guaranty this particular board is made there.
For something in the price range of the Soundcraft mainframe only, take a look at Allen & Heath: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/620182-REG/Allen_Heath_ZED_XB_14_XB_14_Radio_Broadcast.html
It may not do everything you want, but for many applications, it might be a decent choice. Allen & Heath has been around about as long as Soundcraft, and originates in the UK, although I wouldn't guaranty this particular board is made there.
The Soundcraft RM100/RM105 is definitely a broadcast console and has been on the market for something like 20 years. Soundcraft killed all of their bigger broadcast consoles as well as the digital ones they had (all of which were newer then RM100/RM105) but kept the RM100/RM105 - that should tell you a lot about the product and the market for it. You have to specify the configuration when ordering, as there are mic, line and telco modules as well as different meter bridges, so make sure you know what you're getting and at what price.
That being said, these days I would personally definitely go with a digital audio-over-IP console (like Axia Radius/iQ).
Regards,
Goran Tomas
That being said, these days I would personally definitely go with a digital audio-over-IP console (like Axia Radius/iQ).
Regards,
Goran Tomas
Yes, I would agree. Digital consoles are nice for multi-studio operations, since you don't have all that wiring betwixt and between studios. For a stand alone studio, price alone eliminates digital over analog.
But modern analog consoles, like the R-55E's I have, or even the old Auditronics 2500 series I still have in two studios, have very respectable noise and distortion specs, and, more importantly are repairable in the field.
Much is made of -90 db noise figures for digital consoles. Do the numbers, and the differences shrink: To avoid clipping, levels need to be set to keep voice peaks 12 to 15 db below maximum levels. Now your noise floor is only -75 db. Back in the old days, I could get -65 db noise figures off reel machines with low noise tape.
And what sources does the modern station have that would provide 90 db snr?
Computer sound cards? Open mikes? Satellite feeds?
But modern analog consoles, like the R-55E's I have, or even the old Auditronics 2500 series I still have in two studios, have very respectable noise and distortion specs, and, more importantly are repairable in the field.
Much is made of -90 db noise figures for digital consoles. Do the numbers, and the differences shrink: To avoid clipping, levels need to be set to keep voice peaks 12 to 15 db below maximum levels. Now your noise floor is only -75 db. Back in the old days, I could get -65 db noise figures off reel machines with low noise tape.
And what sources does the modern station have that would provide 90 db snr?
Computer sound cards? Open mikes? Satellite feeds?
RUN!!!! Or, at least, take a very thorough look before you decide.
We purchased three models of Soundcraft consoles...for production suite and backup on-air use...in the manual: not designed for 24/7 use. Unplug when not in use.
Their 50ohm headphone jacks...when used with different impedance headphones caused the PS to crap out in two of three of them within 120 days.
We replaced two of them with Yamaha's and have had excellent luck...these are really just for production studio use and get lightly used anyway.
I liked them because of the multiple stereo line in's. Silly me.
We purchased three models of Soundcraft consoles...for production suite and backup on-air use...in the manual: not designed for 24/7 use. Unplug when not in use.
Their 50ohm headphone jacks...when used with different impedance headphones caused the PS to crap out in two of three of them within 120 days.
We replaced two of them with Yamaha's and have had excellent luck...these are really just for production studio use and get lightly used anyway.
I liked them because of the multiple stereo line in's. Silly me.
I've had good luck with Yamaha and Allen & Heath in the "non-broadcast" category. If a person has very little bucks to spend, the A&H stuff is about the best option these days....
The Air 1 is pretty darn cool for inexpensive. I just put one in as an emergency console at a station at their tower...
I've gotten very good service from my AIR-1, my only complaint being that there's no dedicated mix-minus channel. Of course you can go old school and do a custom mix-minus on the audition bus, but it lacks the talkback facility you need to do proper call screening.
I'm also the heretic here because of my controversial views on Arrakis...I love my ARC-8, which has been troublefree going on 3 years now. And yes, they'll happily send owners the schematic's PDF URL, so download and dig in! (Although I haven't had any problems.)
Sounds like Soundcraft is not winning any popularity contests...
I'm also the heretic here because of my controversial views on Arrakis...I love my ARC-8, which has been troublefree going on 3 years now. And yes, they'll happily send owners the schematic's PDF URL, so download and dig in! (Although I haven't had any problems.)
Sounds like Soundcraft is not winning any popularity contests...
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