Thinking of building an analogue desk

[Jered]

Today I acquired an empty console, it's big enough for an 18 channel mixer. Does anyone know where i can get information on building a mixing desk?
Cheers; Jered.

[jjones1700]

Once I move into a different place, I'm going to draw up and build a nice desk/workstation for all of my gear. Now if it ever materializes or is going to be worth a flip remains to be seen.

Good luck on your project.

[mshilarious]

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=180912

You can start there, also at prodigy-pro.com/forum they might have some useful schematics.

A mixer channel strip is a lot of work, and it's going to be expensive. The design work alone for the PCB could take a very long time, especially if you don't have experience with that. You should budget about $100 per channel in parts, if we are talking quality opamps, faders, PCB, enough pots and knobs for aux sends, EQ, etc. If you want transformers, that's even more.

[dementedchord]

and you're gonna do it on breadboard???? 18 one -off designed boards are really gonna set you back.... ballsy but not very practicle.... easier to find a good old board and refurb it...

[Jered]

Originally Posted by mshilarious

You can start there, also at prodigy-pro.com/forum they might have some useful schematics.

A mixer channel strip is a lot of work, and it's going to be expensive. The design work alone for the PCB could take a very long time, especially if you don't have experience with that. You should budget about $100 per channel in parts, if we are talking quality opamps, faders, PCB, enough pots and knobs for aux sends, EQ, etc. If you want transformers, that's even more.

Do you know anywhere where you can get channel strips? I'm prepared to build it bit by bit though as I can solder quite well, and as for previous experience I have absolutely none! Do you have any suggestions on books or glossaries?
Thanks a lot
Jered

[Vagodeoz]

I think you can get a 32 channel Mackie mixer with what you are going to spend, but then again if it's experience and experimentation what you are looking for, good luck!
You could check out some similar sized consoles, get their manuals (you can get many in pdf) and take a look at the "block diagram". There it tells you which circuit is connected to where and where the signal comes through... mainly everything you need to know about how to assamble a mixer. However there are some specific icons in block diagrams, that you should know if you are trying to build a console, and if you don't, you should.
I don't know where you can get a list of those, if someone knows post it, I want it too.

[mshilarious]

Originally Posted by Jered

Do you know anywhere where you can get channel strips? I'm prepared to build it bit by bit though as I can solder quite well, and as for previous experience I have absolutely none! Do you have any suggestions on books or glossaries?
Thanks a lot
Jered

I am not aware of a DIY channel strip project. There are lots of DIY pres, compressors, and an EQ or two, but all together in a single PCB, I don't know. Also you would still need the aux sends and group assigns.

The other route is to buy channel strips that have been pulled from another console. You can find those for sale without too much trouble.

BUT the problem is you have a case you are trying to fit. Thus, if there is a channel strip out there, somehow you have to bang that into the case you have. If the pot holes don't line up, then you have to wire all the pots point-to-point, and find a way to mount the board. Then you still have to pull together a master section and power supply from somewhere.

The best course to proceed if you are set on your existing case is to find pieces of schematics you like (pre, EQ, compressor) and pull them together. If they come with PCB designs, that might give you a starting point for yours. The PCB design is really going to be killer. Knowing how to solder is a long way from knowing how to layout a PCB, much less designing the circuit that goes on it.

If you take a modular approach, and build a power supply and pre section, and a very simple master section (say a stereo bus with headphone, maybe), you will be able to use published projects pretty much without much modification, and get your fingers wet. You can then add EQ, compression, and more routing as you get experience and money. Ultimately, that is more expensive than doing it all at once (the PCB costs add up quickly), but you are much more likely to succeed, and also have a useful project along the way.

[Jered]

I've been looking at some EQ circuits, and I found a 5 band and a 7 band:
electronic-circuits-diagrams.com/audioimages/12.gif
geofex.com/Article_Folders/EQs/greq.gif
The 5 band looks easier to do 'cause it relies on a chip (not to mention 2 less channels)
The channels on the 5 band are:
100Hz
300Hz
1kHz
3kHz
10kHz
any more ideas?

Edit

I found a 3 band one, electronics-lab.com/projects/audio/025/
I might try this one. Anyone know where I can get an op amp which is:

.....7
2 |+ \
--| -6
3 |- /
.....4
(sorry about the crude ascii)

A tl061