AHB System 8 Analog Mixer (Allen and Heath & B)

[mr. gellybean]

URGENT PLS... need your advices...

ive read old threads about this mixer but can you help me out again for some who had experience in using it... soundwise? pre-amps and eqs? compared to the new mixers like the ONYX from mackie... Alesis Analog Mixer and others..

how about comparing it with the Calrecs or Neve?

or Comparing it to the new Tascam DM3200 or DM4800 pre's and eq's ?

Also, if you could email me a link for sample of recordings using ahb system pres and eq's... jhelloy@hotmail.co.uk cheers

very confused me...


thanks a lot in advance...


Somebody i know selling one to me for a really CHEAP PRICE...

 

[Real Tone]

It's an old desk. I did my time behind one as a live console. O.K. pres, average EQ. Make sure that faders and pots are not noisey.

 

[LemonTree]

Older A&H consoles are well known for their noise. I've owned a few over the years including a 24/16/2 Saber...

lovely desk, hissed like a bitch

The system 8 went out of production in 84 I think...24 years ago

 

[xstatic]

All Allen Heath consoles are kind of known for their noise Then again, most all consoles back then had a fair amount of noise anyhow. Granted some of what we hear nowadays as noise from consoles is from pushing too hard from the get go. As for comparing a system 8 to a Calrec or Neve, thats a battle that won't be won. There really is no similarity. Comparing with the newer Tascam will be a little more fair though. The Tascam will win out for flexibility, noise, feature set, headroom etc... The Allen Heath however will have a lot more character and has a better sound when pushed past its nominal range, although that sound will come with more noise. Whether or not that is "better" is dependent on your own opinions

 

[mr. gellybean]

hmmmm still thinking...

the mixer came from a recording studio and its in really good nick... all faders complete and only two pots were replaced from the original... excellent condition considering its age... when you say noise guys is it the normal analog noise? how about comparing it to the new mackie onyx's? e.g. 1640 or mackie onyx 1620? cheers

need more advice from those who have used this board..

 

[xstatic]

So has this board ever been recapped? At its age, I would not be at all surprised if you were to buy it and immediately have to dump a bunch of money into recapping. Caps go with age as well as use, so to some extent they are a fact of life type of issue. I used to own a System 8 as well as a bunch of other Allen Heath consoles. The system 8's noise is is that analog style of hiss. Pretty much all analog consoles have them. The biggest difference is how much gain needs to be applied before it gets noticable or bothersome. Most any newly designed console will have MUCH better signal to noise than an old system 8, but once again, the vintage stuff has a "character" to it that is generally pleasing and not so "sterile" sounding like so many newer designs are. Whether or not you like this is a personal decision. A mackie onyx will have MUCH less self noise until you get to pretty extreme settings.

My advice, if you are recording stuff that is quiet or delicate by nature, the Allen Heath is NOT for you because the inherent noise will always be present and probably stack itself too much across tracks to where it is creating an issue. If you are recording more rock style and louder things with hot mics, the noise in the System 8 most likely will not be a noticable issue and the charachter of the board may pay dividends for you

 

[mr. gellybean]

wow that is really great .. thanks...

So has this board ever been recapped? At its age, I would not be at all surprised if you were to buy it and immediately have to dump a bunch of money into recapping. Caps go with age as well as use, so to some extent they are a fact of life type of issue. I used to own a System 8 as well as a bunch of other Allen Heath consoles. The system 8's noise is is that analog style of hiss. Pretty much all analog consoles have them. The biggest difference is how much gain needs to be applied before it gets noticable or bothersome. Most any newly designed console will have MUCH better signal to noise than an old system 8, but once again, the vintage stuff has a "character" to it that is generally pleasing and not so "sterile" sounding like so many newer designs are. Whether or not you like this is a personal decision. A mackie onyx will have MUCH less self noise until you get to pretty extreme settings.

My advice, if you are recording stuff that is quiet or delicate by nature, the Allen Heath is NOT for you because the inherent noise will always be present and probably stack itself too much across tracks to where it is creating an issue. If you are recording more rock style and louder things with hot mics, the noise in the System 8 most likely will not be a noticable issue and the charachter of the board may pay dividends for you

you are the man... thanks bro... well, i think i will have to buy them both... so for maybe rock.. or noisy style of music... with all the screams and stuff... the allen and heath would be better... then for other cleaner styles... the mackie onyx... or the tascam dm3200... that is very helpful to me bro... im not sure with the recap and stuff for the ahb but its cheap and feeling the faders and the pots... they are in really good shape... i will get it... and the onyx as well... i might end up with two or three studios... i have this AHB in the other room... two onyx's side by side... in another or for mastering stuff you think? coz i also have a PANASONIC DA7 BOARD... WHAT CAN YOU SUGGEST?

 

[snatchman]

SOT...I recently did what you are considering. ( not by choice, but after doing it, I'm sorta glad I did.....).. I replaced my ailing Tascam M-2600mkII console with a DDA " S" console. ( in great cosmetically/mechanical shape..!).. As mentioned, I gave up some routing that the Tascam has ( which has always been it's strong point..) for the DDA.. I thought I was just buying the DDA until I got the Tsacm repaired ,but after using/hearing the DDA, I don't think so..!....The DDA is bigger,more robust sounding...!.... It's not as ' hi-fi' sounding as the Tascam ( clean), but the DDa sound more like a ...a record when mixing on it. Did I mention it's modular? Yeah, it's 20 years old and I'm sure it needs recapping, etc. ( which I've already contacted a Tech to do it.)..But if all the post and advice is as warranted as it's claimed to be, if it sounds this good now, I can't wait to hear it after it's recapped and modded!..I know it's not an Allen/Heath 8, but it's old!..Sorry 'bout the rant..Good luck...

 

[cousinjake]

When Looking For Ahb System 8 Beware

The System 8 Up To The Mk111 Came Standard W/high Imp.outs.the Low Imp Outs Were An Option.i Think You Can Still Find The Low Imp Kit From A&h But This Involves Alot Of Soldering.translation Time & Money.i Haven't Seen Anyone Mention This. My Board Came From A Studio In Brooklyn You'd Assume It Was Low Imp Out.wrong.something To Keep In Mind.