Allen & Heath MixWizard WZ3:16:2 - anyone used these desks?

[astroman]

for 90 Euro you couldn't even buy the fadercaps and knobs in a DIY store

congrats, Tom

[Shroomz~>]

Thanks for the info on the Soundtracs Valis. It's one I'm going to think about & maybe just keep in mind. I've read really good things about them & that they sound really good. Not clean, but really colorful (which is what I want). I was also looking at a A+H System 8 desk because I also read good things about those, but it was too far away & since those desks are like tanks, there's no way it would've been possible to ship it within a reasonable price range. It needed quite a few repairs as well, but it wasn't that that put me off.

[Shroomz~>]

for 90 Euro you couldn't even buy the fadercaps and knobs in a DIY store

congrats, Tom

Exactly!

[Shroomz~>]

Btw, for anyone in the UK who's interested in a possible bargain on a vintage 24ch A+H desk, here's what I found... An A+H System 8 in Runcorn that needs some work done = it should sell cheap... - A+H System 8 on ebay - possible bargain

Allen_Heath_System8_24ch.JPG (21.61 KiB) Viewed 2496 times

[Shroomz~>]

For 90€ there isnt any room to complain! Nice score.

Yeah, I'm quite chuffed mate. ... Just hoping it works ok now.

[Fluxpod]

For 90€ there isnt any room to complain! Nice score.

Yeah, I'm quite chuffed mate. ... Just hoping it works ok now.

Seems like we both got a killer deal this week!
Would love to hear how it sounds when you get it.

[Shroomz~>]

Seems like we both got a killer deal this week!

I'm sure you did (was it the Waldorf?), but I need to wait before I know if I did. I actually can't find much info on this little desk at all, which might be good news, but might also be bad. I'm thinking that a Soundcraft broadcast quality desk from the late 70's/early 80's can't possibly be bad if working or repairable.

Would love to hear how it sounds when you get it.

With what source put through it?

[garyb]

I actually can't find much info on this little desk at all, which might be good news, but might also be bad. I'm thinking that a Soundcraft broadcast quality desk from the late 70's/early 80's can't possibly be bad if working or repairable.

no, it can't be bad. it's the same series as my 1600. those look like the same channel strips. if they are the same pres, then they are very good, better than any current desks in the prosumer range. i'm pretty sure that Soundcraft has parts, although some of the colored caps for knobs and a few other small parts aren't available. i likely have some caps if it comes to that. those were popular consoles(the 800-1600-2400 line and the other associated series) which were sold to real businesses and engineers, so the knowledge and debris exists(you should be able to find channel strips from scrapped consoles). that has an external power supply, no?

[valis]

Thanks for the info on the Soundtracs Valis. It's one I'm going to think about & maybe just keep in mind. I've read really good things about them & that they sound really good. Not clean, but really colorful (which is what I want). I was also looking at a A+H System 8 desk because I also read good things about those, but it was too far away & since those desks are like tanks, there's no way it would've been possible to ship it within a reasonable price range. It needed quite a few repairs as well, but it wasn't that that put me off.

The Color of the desk is exactly the reason it interested me, though I wouldn't be arrogant enough to claim that it's superior to another alternative. The main reason I keep this though, is because I cannot find anything as flexible for even 3-4 times the cost (used), it's a rather interesting desk. If I do upgrade anytime soon I've debated going from this to a Topaz, where the Mic preamps would be good enough that I would only need a few upmarket/botique/(diy?) rack pre's and could bill clients without any concerns (not that I'm interested in renting out studio time).

But before all that, congrats on your buy! And if garyb's comments on its pedigree are any indicator, I trust you'll put it to good use in the near future and share some results with us

[irrelevance]

Thanks Gary, yep, I'm swaying towards an older desk, the more I look into it. I'm wondering though, what's the story with getting things like replacement faders/sliders, pots & bulbs for the meterbridge VUs on these older desks? I guess it'll depend on the make, model & rarity.

yes,
up until now, Soundcraft has kept parts in stock. high-end, professional gear tends to always be fixable(unlike consumer models).

Tell me about it! When I opened up my mackie vlz I wished I hadn't bothered! Sandwiched boards and IC's all over the shop But hey thats progress right... Worse than the SY77 which happens to be the shitiest synth to maintain.

Shroomz that little 8 channel looks like a fantastic pick up for the price man. Nice one.

[darkrezin]

Old Soundcraft desks are nice. I should have specified that I meant more recent 'Spirit by Soundcraft' desks in my earlier post, which I've had nothing but bad experiences with.

[Fluxpod]

Seems like we both got a killer deal this week!

I'm sure you did (was it the Waldorf?), but I need to wait before I know if I did. I actually can't find much info on this little desk at all, which might be good news, but might also be bad. I'm thinking that a Soundcraft broadcast quality desk from the late 70's/early 80's can't possibly be bad if working or repairable.

Would love to hear how it sounds when you get it.

With what source put through it?

Yes that was my score If its a broadcast desk its probably build like a tank and easy to service.

For a test i think Minimax and some mod patches would be nice,a few eq sweeps and driving the desk a bit.

[devastate]

Good heads up on the A&H system 8 in Runcorn Mark,

my dad lives in Widnes next town over so I think i'll keep an eye on that as it's cheap as chips atm

cheers

Dave

[Shroomz~>]

it can't be bad. it's the same series as my 1600. those look like the same channel strips. if they are the same pres, then they are very good, better than any current desks in the prosumer range. i'm pretty sure that Soundcraft has parts, although some of the colored caps for knobs and a few other small parts aren't available. i likely have some caps if it comes to that. those were popular consoles(the 800-1600-2400 line and the other associated series) which were sold to real businesses and engineers, so the knowledge and debris exists(you should be able to find channel strips from scrapped consoles).

Ok, this great news, thanks gary. I really like the fact that these desks have the channels as separate modules that are easy to take out for any repairs that might need done. Can you tell me from that pic if all 8 channel's EQ caps are missing, or are they all black in colour? I found some 200 series manuals online, but they're printed in B&W don't say what colour the pot caps are.

that has an external power supply, no?

Yes, it said external power supply in the auction, but there wasn't a picture of it.

[Shroomz~>]

I trust you'll put it to good use in the near future and share some results with us

I sure will. We don't have much in the way of outboard FX to hook up to it here, since a friend got loaned our Lexicon a couple of years ago & hasn't returned it. We've got the Spin Audio RoomVerb & FXdesigner as well as a cool multi-tap filter delay & top notch filter/EQ called Infiltrator on the Chameleon right enough. I'm also thinking about connecting some of the sends & returns to the luna AD/DA box on our smaller 6dsp system here, so there won't be a shortage of FX if we do that. My only concern is that it would probably be a better option sonically to be using some vintage analogue FX on the sends & returns, but that will have to wait.

[Shroomz~>]

For a test i think Minimax and some mod patches would be nice,a few eq sweeps and driving the desk a bit.

I was thinking more like some Juno60 & 202 action.

[Shroomz~>]

Good heads up on the A&H system 8 in Runcorn Mark, my dad lives in Widnes next town over so I think i'll keep an eye on that as it's cheap as chips atm

Cool, let us know if you buy it Dave. I've read some good things about those System 8's!!

[Shroomz~>]

Gary, forget the question about the EQ knob caps. I've figured out that they are indeed black from pics of other 200 series consoles. So it looks like it has all the knob caps. Found a source for getting good condition & tested working channels as well.

cheers!

Mark

[garyb]

sorry, too many kinds of caps. i just reread my post, how confusing!
what i have extra are capacitors.

your desk looks complete. the colored caps on the knobs seem to be there, if any were missing it's not really a big deal.

yep, that period of Soundcraft is really good quality. they were meant to be used by a real business for 50 years or more. time to invest in some D-5 spray...

yes, the seperate module thing is the way that a company making an honest product for the end user would make a mixer. that way a bad channel can be removed and serviced easily, without losing the rest of the console.

[Shroomz~>]

sorry, too many kinds of caps. i just reread my post, how confusing!
what i have extra are capacitors.

Ah, ok!

time to invest in some D-5 spray...

Yes & a dust cover.

I'm already thinking about spending the time to make a really nice custom chassis for it as long as it works, since I've got the tools required & most of the materials needed apart from some leather or faux leather & foam for an arm rest. Something along the lines of the design in the picture below, but bigger (wider) obviously. All it would really cost is some spare time.

MixerCustomIdea.jpg (74.64 KiB) Viewed 2273 times