Live 8 substitute for a growing church?

[stevelam]

One of my clients ordered a Soundcraft Live 8 40 channel mixer about 4 months ago. This was right before Harmon's computer meltdown. Now I have searched and searched for an analog board in this price range that has a meter bridge. So far I have come up with nothing. Anybody have an idea or suggestion?

Also does anyone have experience with Soundcraft B stock? Soundcraft has a B stock Live 8 40 channel but my customer is understandably cautious about it.

[cmchamp]

Steve
Don't know why they'd be cautious of a B-Stock analog board as long as it comes with a full warranty and explanation of why it's B-Stock.
Why the need for a meter bridge?
Can't check at the moment, behind my school's web-filter as all manufacturer's sites are considered entertainment for some reason. Give me 10-15 minutes.
C.

[cmchamp]

Nothing in that price range that I can find.
Allen & Heath ML3000 series has Meter Bridge, but not full (each channel)
Inter-M IMX-840 (similar to ML3000).

Not aware of anything at all in that price range.

C.

[stevelam]

Thanks Corey! They got burnt with b-stock before that was supposed to have a full warranty (or so they tell me).

The meter bridge is a funny situation. The sound man claims he must have a meter bridge on the console to check the levels. I actually just deal with the worship pastor and I think the sound man has complete control on what they buy. He is so dead set on a meter bridge they turned down a GB8 40 channel FOR THE SAME PRICE as the Live 8 40 channel. I couldn't believe it.

Thanks for the leads on those boards. I had looked at the Allen and Heath but I never check out the Inter-M products. I also ran the Toft Audio board by him but he needed 40 channels.

Also FYI to everyone, Soundcraft may be completely discontinuing the Live 8 mixer. There has been no official word on it, but I have been waiting for 4 months for the console and Soundcraft told me "We cannot guarantee we will be able to deliver the Live 8 console within any length of time."

[pdc]

40 channels on the cheap....I dunno. Certainly not a B Stock from Soundcraft...if B-Stock means refurb'd new unit. Been there done that. But, this could be an opened box unit, returned freight, etc. I would have to know more to make that call.

[cmchamp]

I think you're going to have a really hard time finding an analog console with a full meter bridge at the top of the channel strip.
The Allen & Heath GL series has a 4 segment meter at the top of each fader throw on the opposite side of the assign buttons, and the GL3000 has an 11 VU-Meter bridge for the busses and outputs (or aux sends I think depending on how configured).
Independent channel full LED Meters on a live analog board are probably a thing of the past.
If they're looking for a full meter bridge, they may have to look to digital.

The following have full metering, but not on a meter bridge
http://www.crestaudio.com/products/b.../CV20%2064.cfm

http://www.apb-dynasonics.com/produc..._ProDesk8.html

http://www.apb-dynasonics.com/produc...s_Spectra.html

http://www.soundcraft.com/products/product.aspx?pid=132

http://www.soundcraft.com/products/p...pid=123&eid=14

That's about it. Don't think any of these are within the Live8- GB8 price range though.

[pdc]

Yamaha IM 8 40 5400 smackers. Basically a version of the PM series consoles made on an economical scale.

[stevelam]

Thanks for all the help guys!

[cmchamp]

I remember several years ago (10-15) there were 3rd party companies that made custom meter bridges for whatever console you had tapping into the insert. I Google'd it, and can't seem to find anything anymore.

[Tim Padrick]

The Castleton (Indianapolis) IN GC has a 50+ ch Verona for $3500. It needs some new pan pots.

[stevelam]

Holy cow!!! A Verona for 3.5k? Do you know how many new pan pots are we talking? Because Kingdom might be interested in it for our second studio.

[pdc]

Verona's are ok for entry level live boards. The Verona/Venice line has lower duty cycle pots, switches and faders, but the circuits are fine. They are not quiet enough for studio use.

Since the company is now owned by MG (Behringer), and pretty much all but a couple of people that made Midas what it is are gone, we are worried about support in the future. If you buy one, buy it now, while there are still parts available for the older consoles in the USA. All Midas manufacturing is now in China.