althemusicwizard

Hi Matt, I used the ML3000 the other day to mix a few tracks that I recorded in Reason, then bounced out to the Fostex G24S tape machine, then mixed via the ML3000. After using the ML3000 and G24S I've decided to hang onto them....I'll get little for them and they're both now in top condition so I'm going to re-jig the studio to give me more room and start recording straight to tape. One thing that foxed me on the ML3000. Is there no independent PFL volume control for the monitor volume? I suppose with it being a live desk, the PFL level is mainly for use with headphones (where of course you can then set the level of the cans) but I have the 'monitor outs' hooked up to my ROTEL hi-fi amp (jacks to RCA). I found that the level of the 'LR' when sent to the amp was quieter than when a single channel was PFL'd. Any workarounds or am I doing something wrong? Cheers Al

Hey Matt, Have you ever used an AW4414? They're really great machines (the software is a bit clunky for editing recorded material) but for the size they have 40 inputs (16 from the recorder...24bit @ 44.1), 17 x 60 mm faders, but they can take 2 x analogue cards giving 24 line inputs. The mixing bit is ok but hasn't got dedicate HPF so you have to use low band of EQ to achieve this (not a breaker as you probably don't need the low band of eq if you're putting a HPF on a channel). From a tiny footprint you have a lot of the O2R functionallity. Al

Sorry Matt......never used one...but demoed one in about 1998....has it got the 60mm faders of an AW4416? It's probably as cheap as chips now. Al

Hey Matt, How do I rate the ML3000? Quite simply, it's the best sounding analogue desk I've ever used. I've had a Mackie Project 8 buss, numerous Soundcraft Spirit Studio, Soundcraft Ghosts, Soundtracs MRX, Soundtracs PC Inline, Soundcraft 200B, Allen & Heath GS3000. The GS3000 which was kind of the studio version of these 8-channel modular desks didn't sound as good as this (from what I remember). The desk is clean and transparent, but not thin or cold....just sounds great. It's got a lot less features mix wise than the GS3000 had, but maybe that's why it sounds so pure....less signals to be causing hums and noise. The HPF sweep is a great addition and although I haven't used it to the full....with a full flightcase I paid less than £600.......it's the best bargain I've ever had. It seems there is no market for physical desks at the moment, hence the bargains out there. I can't see me wanting another analogue desk though, because more facilities = bigger footprint, and the footprint on this desk is just about right for me. I can utilise 25-32 for tracking 8 channels to tape (or computer), and monitor back from tape (or computer) on 1-24. I'm going to try rigging the Mackie Ultra-34 up to the inserts, which would give me automated mixing (well auto level and mutes) which could be synced with the tape and computer....a basic version of what the O2Rs do so nicely. I won't be investing in much outboard gear as I can always use Reason's EFX and comps which I find more than adequate. There is a Reason update coming out which will allow VSTs to be used for the very first time, so with that update there really is no need for much else. What I could do with is more space though....or sell some gear!

Hi Matt, Sorry been busy with the motorhome and other things. Here's some pics of the desk. https://www.flickr.com/photos/33383402@N06/albums/72157680987755152 We also shot a video for my daughter here which has the desk in the background. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ps5kJbRI0g&ytbChannel=Amelia%20Rosa I used the desk to mix a track co-written with another student here featuring live cello: https://altruistica.bandcamp.com/album/stay Cheers, Al

[quote name='VTypeV4' timestamp='1489505448' post='3257509'] Any word on the ML, Al? [/quote] Hey Matt.......it arrived last week in a flightcase big enough to bury the missus. It's in great condition, although it's inputs are all on XLRs. The outs of the tape recorders are all on phonos so I'm just doing some test on patchbays and noise to see which is the best way of wiring it.I've run the RME Fireface through it and thought it sounded great.....really quiet and great HPF. We we're away at the weekend at a Hymer convention meet (motorhome) so I'm just catching up on things. Later, Al

Cheers. Like I said, I saw the ML3000 appear last night, so checked out the manual and resisted until this morning but as the Borg say....'resistance is futile' and by 10am I'd cracked. I saw that the flightcase alone is £545 from an online dealer so it was a no-brainer at that price. The Shiply couriers are coming in at just over £60, so I won't be collecting it myself......all in, I'm a happy teddy. I'll put some pics up after it arrives and I've cleaned it. Al

What am I like......couldn't resist the temptation of this that appeared on Ebay last night....just did a Buy It Now. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Allen-amp-Heath-ML-3000-32-Channel-Mixing-Console-/112317656598?nma=true&si=Ny77OHUWCn0L7orGykFl8setrwA%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 Now I'm trying the Fostex G24S, I wanted an all analogue signal path to see if I could tell the difference. From a lot of the digital desks I've used, the O2R has an analogue quality to it, probably because of the bunch of analogue circuitry in it. I've also got it hooked up to the Fostex in such a way that SMPTE timecode on track 24 is played into the SMPTE input on the O2R and the automation is synced. I also laid an FSK (Midi Clock with song position) code on track 23 and can sync Propellerhead's Reason to it too. This will be the fall back position should thML3000 not work out. I really like the facilities on the ML5000, but it's just too damn big. This way, I get the VCAs of the big brother minus the sweet EQ, but with the 0-400Hz HP (which I really think cleans a mix up), and only 40Kg. If I really want the automation, I have a Mackie Ultramix system that I was going to stick back on Ebay but I might just hang onto.Now I just to have to find a courier to collect it and drop it off here....the south coast is a long way to drive...... Al

Just had a listen to the tracks, thanks 'Matt'(?). I loved the bass playing in 'Broken Gun' (that's you?). Overall I thought the song, the playing and arrangement great. The things that I wanted to change were the vocals (not necessarily the vocalist) but maybe delay instead of reverb. I also thought the vocal mix was kind of 'apologetic'......as if you're trying to hide the vocals.I also wanted more stereo spread between the keyboards and guitars. The funk guitar I found too loud and too centred....I wanted it off to the left more. The bass was great! The 'Deep City' track has a great guitar riff and as a live mix is really good. I'm not particularly struck by the song. Although it has a great vibe, there doesn't seem to be a hook, at least not one that I found very memorable. The other track I found really interesting was 'Coastal'. It sounds like a backing track without vocals? I could really hear a Lou Reed / Leonard Cohen drawl punctuating this. I wouldn't mind having a go at adding some vocals to this if you're not adverse to this. I think I might be able to write something to this and my (almost) fifteen year old daughter could have a go at singing something....your call. Anyway, it's always great to hear other people's stuff. Keep rockin' in the free world......WOW ''Broken Gun' has just gone into 'Industry POD Concept'....what is that? It sounds massive. I like that. Al

250Kg!!!!!! Yikes. My back feels sore just thinking about that.

Looks like it's about the size of three O2Rs......man it's big. That must be a serious lift for two guys? Glad it's working for you. Al

Don't worry....I found it. It's in the RME Control Panel. The default setting is 'AES' input is set to ADAT 2. Simply change it back to AES and the light comes on the unit showing it is locked to the Yamaha O2R.

Hi Guys, Just been trying to get signal out of the bog standard AES out on the back of the desk (I take it this is just a mirror of the analogue MASTER L/R out) to talk to my RME UFX Fireface. I have just connected normal mic cable to the XLRs and get nothing at the RME. I have done the same with the 'D1' AES tape return and it's worked fine, so I don't think the cable is a problem. The O2R is clocking to the RME via the AES D1 return, so I'm at a loss as to what could be wrong (other than the obvious....the AES out on the desk doesn't work!). I can't find a setting where you have to select 'MASTER TO AES' so presume the AES is getting signal. Any thoughts? Al

The amount of control room options was one of the first things I noticed with the first O2R when I got it....and how many desks have 3 sets of digital 2-track returns and 2 sets of analogue 2-track returns....all with separate switches to solo them? Not many, that's for sure. I do love the AUX on Faders too...it makes setting EFX sends or AUX feeds so easy.. Al

Hey VT....I was looking at getting an ML5000 recently or an MH4 (neither of which I have experience with, but as you say a £20000 desk has got to be good). The reason I shelved the idea was because I only really have access to half the studio now (6m x 4m) in which everything has to live (also the PA gear). Wifey has taken over the other half and as her teaching practise has expanded at the same rate mine has declined....it makes economic sense. The desk would have been too big.....and since I have all these O2Rs knocking around, it just makes more sense at this time. I did have an Allen & Heath GS3000 in here a couple of years ago. I couldn't get used to the 'reverse' way it handles the 'small' faders and the main ones. Also it had annoying '8 input' modules that needed to be removed if something was to be fixed...I take it the ML5000 is modular (each channel?) or is it the same? I had also been looking at the new Presonus StudioLive Series III....which looks very impressive (and also records 32 tracks to on-board SD card). But once you get past all the good things, I'd be surprised if head to head, blind-testing with an O2R, you could tell significant difference. What is interesting is that 22 years on from the release of the O2R, here is a desk that still ONLY functions at 44 / 48kHz. If that rate is so awful for the O2R, why have Presonus just released the same? And the X32....and the Qu series and the Mackie.....etc. Your plans look impressive VT. I looked at 'The Rigger' (are you the house engineer)? It looks like a good gig place. I'll have to pop down one weekend in the motorhome and camp somewhere nearby and sample the live scene. I can't believe I first went to Manchester as a student in 1982, moved away and came back to Bury in 2000, but only went to the Deaf Institute last week to see an amazing band from Minneapolis that I've been following for a few years online....'Darlingside'....cracky musicians. They all performed around a home-made condensor mic (their acoustic instruments were also mic'd or DI'd)....but the sound on stage was minimal. They all sing (kind of barbershop meets The Beachboys meets Madrigals....the style is eclectic) and play. They've probably returned to the States now, but if you like something different, they're well worth seeing. Anyhow, the Deaf Institute is a cracking venue....much smaller than I imagined, but a great place to get up close with 200 other people.....I don't like big gigs. Al