How big was the largest 4/6/8000 desk?

[amillar]

Random question following a FB discussion, does anyone happen to know what the largest 4/6/8000 desk was? I have a vague memory of us making a 96 channel but I might be imagining it? I remember it used to be a regular phone call I'd get from sales "can we make a xx channel desk" - to which the answer always was "yes if the client doesn't mind the mix bus noise..."

Cheers,

Andy

[tlamix]

Greetings,
To the best of my knowledge the largest 4k was purchased by Record One in Los Angeles.
It was 100 channels a G+ with Ultimation and the story goes it was purchased while Michael Jackson was recording at the studio.
He wanted to work on the largest SSL.
I had the good fortune to mix The Wallflowers- "Bring Down the Horse" album on this console, and it was a real gem!
My favorite 4K, aside from my own, was the one at the Hit Factory. 96 channels, G+, wrap around console, plasma meters and Ultimation.

4K 4Ever!
Cheers,
TLA

[Clip6]

I was thinking it was the desk built for the Sultan of Brunei. 106ish.

Calling Phil Wagner?

Tom thanks for helping Bob.

Could you tell us the background on getting Bob his new console?

Thanks

[horizonsound]

Not the largest consoles, but two that I have worked on recently.

88 mono, 8 stereo 6088G for Channel 9 in Melbourne. VCA, VU, "U" shaped layout with 24 channels on each wing.

80 mono, 8080G for Enterprise Studios. Ultimation, Bargraph. Joystick panners, Prog EQ, 5K Bus Masters and 8 channel surround monitoring switching unit.

Both of these consoles have since been cut down to 48 channels each. The left-overs are coincidentally in my garage being made in to smaller consoles.

Anthony.

[tlamix]

Bob's console...
Well,
I had bought a 1993 4072 G w/Ultimation fitted with 64 channels in 2023.
I was planning on refurbing the console and building a ATMOS room around it.
I had done a bit of work to it when Bob lost his house and studio.
Chris & I immediately offered our extra 4k consoles to Bob. (Yea, I know. Extra Consoles! Well, it's how we make a living. Gotta have spares)
We couldn't bear the thought of Bob not having a 4k.
As it turns out, the console I had purchased had the Bluestone mod and was the same basic spec and size as the console Bob lost. (Bob's was a G+ 1995ish)
So I packed it up and drove it to Phoenix where John Ellis refurbed it and then installed it in Bob's new room.
Phil Wagner said there were not many Bluestone mod consoles built and probably only a couple that were in a 72 frame.(One of them being the console Bob lost)
I am very happy to have helped and hope Bob enjoys the console.
TLA

[Clip6]

Great story.

Thanks for being here Tom.

Hope to see another MWTM video this year.

[Greg DiCrosta]

Good stuff Tom!

Were you guys able to track down any stereo channels? We've been looking, too. I have a decent lead up here in CT, they seemed like they weren't quite ready to part out their board, but I bet they would for Bob....

[tlamix]

Hey Greg,
I retired my stereo modules a year ago.
My brother Chris still uses them so I gave him the 15 or so I had with all my spare parts.
He gave Bob the 6 or 8 channels he had requested for his new console.
I used the stereo modules my entire career and I loved them, WHEN THEY WORKED!
They became unreliable and I am much happier running 64 mono channels and have had ZERO issue since swapping over.
I don't miss them at all!
Cheers,
TLA

[horizonsound]

A little info on stereo channels.

There are two distinct versions of them. An earlier "E" version which uses terrible stepped gain rotary switches on the line gain and ratio. They have a clear cover, and are very fragile. Frequently falling apart and impossible to get back together and working.
The later "G" series uses Jeanrenaud switches which are blue and white striped, but are super reliable.
Both are obsolete.

The E modules I have worked on were a real dog of a thing, with a lot of the wiring corroding. I would avoid these at all costs. More trouble than they are worth.
The only real issues with the G series is the switches, which once replaced, make them very reliable.

I own six of the G series and am really happy with them.

Anthony.

[Greg DiCrosta]

Tom- thanks for the info!

Anthony- great information! Luckily we have a great tech, I'll pass this info on to him if/when we ever get stereo modules!!

[Original_Box]

Bob's console...
Well,
I had bought a 1993 4072 G w/Ultimation fitted with 64 channels in 2023.
I was planning on refurbing the console and building a ATMOS room around it.
I had done a bit of work to it when Bob lost his house and studio.
Chris & I immediately offered our extra 4k consoles to Bob. (Yea, I know. Extra Consoles! Well, it's how we make a living. Gotta have spares)
We couldn't bear the thought of Bob not having a 4k.
As it turns out, the console I had purchased had the Bluestone mod and was the same basic spec and size as the console Bob lost. (Bob's was a G+ 1995ish)
So I packed it up and drove it to Phoenix where John Ellis refurbed it and then installed it in Bob's new room.
Phil Wagner said there were not many Bluestone mod consoles built and probably only a couple that were in a 72 frame.(One of them being the console Bob lost)
I am very happy to have helped and hope Bob enjoys the console.
TLA

Thank you Tom for your presence here, and for helping Bob, it is inspirational.

Cheers,
Aaron

[79_Limited]

Cool thread and very informative. Glad to hear Bob is back up and running.