SummingStation
New member
Burl B32 Vancouver - A great analog mix bus
Hi,
Here is my quick review of the Burl B32 Vancouver.
We purchased ours about two month ago,
as part of the hardware for our new analog summing service, The Summing Station.
It is the heart of our set-up, sitting between an Antelope Orion 32 and a Burl B2 Bomber ADC.
The Burl B32 Vancouver is a 32x2 mix bus.
It is a green 1U rack unit with:
On the back panel:
- 4 DB25 connectors as inputs
The first DB25 provides 8 mono tracks (centered)
The three others provide 12 stereo tracks (pan law of -3dB)
- 2 sets of stereo (XLR) outputs
Typically one for going back into the box and one for monitoring
on the front panel, and separatly for the right and left channel:
- 1 button to activate Burl's proprietary BX5 transformer
- 1 button to activate a +6dB boost pre-transformer
- 1 output gain knob
- 1 output level diode (not lit for low signal, green for ok levels, red for over-the-top levels)
Now that the descriptive part is done,
here is my review of the Burl B32:
Excellent build quality
This unit is built like a tank!
It is surprisingly heavy and the front-panel controls are super sturdy.
I especially love the feel of the output gain control
I have no doubt it will still be a great workhorse in 50 years-time!
Simplicity as a philosophy
For my part, I did not need/want level or pan control on each channel.
These settings live and breath very well in my DAW...
This is «set-up and forget» gear.
You will find yourself activating the BX5 and the +6dB for maximum «glue»
and never going back.
High track count
As analog summing's sound impact is greater the higher the track count,
I like the 8 mono + 12 stereo approach.
That is more tracks than the 4,5k SSL Sigma
Sound quality
Last, but not least!! The Burl B32 sounds great.
Its discrete, class-A signal path shines through...
Words that come to mind are: spaceous, polished, detailled, warm (but not to a detrement)
The bass is tight, the high-end sizzles.
It definetly adds a professional finish to everything it touches
If you want some examples, here are some The Summing Station has produced.
What are the negatives?
It's price, maybe...
Quality is not cheap and this is no entry level model.
Lack of external pre-amp and alternate transformers
Competing units like the Equinox and the Funk Junk 3202 provide these options.
If you want to tweek and customize as such, the Burl's B32 is not for you...
Conclusion
If you can afford it and the necessary gear up and down stream from it,
you will love the Burl B32!!
Hi,
Here is my quick review of the Burl B32 Vancouver.
We purchased ours about two month ago,
as part of the hardware for our new analog summing service, The Summing Station.
It is the heart of our set-up, sitting between an Antelope Orion 32 and a Burl B2 Bomber ADC.
The Burl B32 Vancouver is a 32x2 mix bus.
It is a green 1U rack unit with:
On the back panel:
- 4 DB25 connectors as inputs
The first DB25 provides 8 mono tracks (centered)
The three others provide 12 stereo tracks (pan law of -3dB)
- 2 sets of stereo (XLR) outputs
Typically one for going back into the box and one for monitoring
on the front panel, and separatly for the right and left channel:
- 1 button to activate Burl's proprietary BX5 transformer
- 1 button to activate a +6dB boost pre-transformer
- 1 output gain knob
- 1 output level diode (not lit for low signal, green for ok levels, red for over-the-top levels)
Now that the descriptive part is done,
here is my review of the Burl B32:
Excellent build quality
This unit is built like a tank!
It is surprisingly heavy and the front-panel controls are super sturdy.
I especially love the feel of the output gain control
I have no doubt it will still be a great workhorse in 50 years-time!
Simplicity as a philosophy
For my part, I did not need/want level or pan control on each channel.
These settings live and breath very well in my DAW...
This is «set-up and forget» gear.
You will find yourself activating the BX5 and the +6dB for maximum «glue»
and never going back.
High track count
As analog summing's sound impact is greater the higher the track count,
I like the 8 mono + 12 stereo approach.
That is more tracks than the 4,5k SSL Sigma
Sound quality
Last, but not least!! The Burl B32 sounds great.
Its discrete, class-A signal path shines through...
Words that come to mind are: spaceous, polished, detailled, warm (but not to a detrement)
The bass is tight, the high-end sizzles.
It definetly adds a professional finish to everything it touches
If you want some examples, here are some The Summing Station has produced.
What are the negatives?
It's price, maybe...
Quality is not cheap and this is no entry level model.
Lack of external pre-amp and alternate transformers
Competing units like the Equinox and the Funk Junk 3202 provide these options.
If you want to tweek and customize as such, the Burl's B32 is not for you...
Conclusion
If you can afford it and the necessary gear up and down stream from it,
you will love the Burl B32!!
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