[quote=“Cad, post:20, topic:7123”]A bit off-topic, but I’ve triialled the Claesson Edwards software broadcast processor, Breakaway (http://www.claessonedwards.com) and I was VERY impressed by it.
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Certainly one hell of a lot cheaper than hardware alternatives, assuming of course that you have a spare ‘old’ PC available to dedicate to it.
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Great thing, thanks for the link. Price is also affordable.
What exactly did you test? Broadcast version?
Hmm, I suppose you did not test it on your ‘old’ 1Ghz PIII machine
On what hardware did you try?
Over the years, I’ve re-designed many (at least 10 somewhat crappy) disco mixers into broadcast mixers.
Mods for example,
Remove the ultra crude main programme audio ducking instigated when mic is turned on.
Install mic muting (relay) operated by the existing mic switch which mutes the booth output and cue output (second audio monitor chain)
Take a buffered clean feed of Mic’s 1 and 2 to send to voice track recorder.
If there are 3 turntable pre-amps, reduce to one and use one of the others for a phone hybrid return.
Create a mix minus feed to feed to phone hybrid. (passive with around 25db sidetone rejection)
Redesign with new panel legend to reflect it’s new operation
If there are 3 mics, make 2 muted and one unmuted for roving/external mic at OB’s
Provide a +4 transformer balanced output to go to audio processing.
Make internal transformer external where possible to eliminate spurious hum.
Put RF supression (ferrite beads, ceramic caps etc) on all in and outgoing audio and power/control cables etc., etc.
and almost forgot, remove crossfader, put some expanded aluminium grill in it’s place and install a cue speaker and cue amp in its place… that’s just some of it
Hardship, lack of money and looking for a diverse challenge has driven these challenges, plus the fact that most of the folks I deal with are students and school radio stations.
Consequently there’s no money in what I do… in fact it costs me money. but now I’m retired, its a lot of fun making a silk purse out of a sows ear… hence my pursuit for inexpensive (free) software for the kids I support.
and if you’re intersted in the fact that these are hacks, the only thing that has had to be replaced in this mixer in my OB caravan in 6 years is the mic switch.
Quite interesting, Chris, but a) we don’t have anyone who would have that kind of electronics knowledge, and b) we would need many more channels than anything in your pics: FOUR mics., SIX stereo ins, and at least one telco channel (yes we DO have live calls on air).
Also c) our lot have already knocked back ANY mixer that isn’t genuinely modular.
Mine was 100 euros (used, needs a refurbish) and that’s ridiculously low of course. However, they are not too expensive new and are still being produced new. You can get line-in fader-units with and without eq, telephone-hybrids and mic channels. You might even be able to order a custom build.
I have a price-list in euros for this mixer, i don’t think I’m at liberty to publish this, however. Send me a PM and I’ll send it to you
I’ve had an SRM - they’re nice but lack button-starts. They do offer a fader-start but I only find that useful for turntables. You’re looking at just over £4250 for a desk like this and that’s without the meter-bridge. The mixer itself is simple and non-threatening plus the switchable master limiter is actually quite tolerable.
Forgive them for the techno music, the Dutch do have a habit of producing good mixers
For anyone interested in what we finally got, we’ve purchased a second-hand four-year-old Sonifex S2 split-chassis mixer with custom furniture. (OOOOOoooohhh!)
Ironically, this was our ‘IF we have the money’ first choice, but as we may never (ever!) have the money to buy one of these new, so second-hand was the only option for us in the end. That said, Sonifex is an excellent manufacturer, and the mixer is still being made, so we have no real worries about our decision to buy it.
We haven’t yet fired it up, as we’re still at the very early stage of a complete ground-up studio build, but we’re all greatly looking forward to doing so in the almost-impossible-to-wait-for but very near future. ;D
