[BC] RE: Console suggestions

[tpt at literock93r.com]

A follow-up. Station manager of nearby high-school NCE station is  
preparing a grant application, and sought recommendations for a  
console to be used for production/training, etc. His understanding was  
that the maximum amount available this year would be about $3,000.

Based on this initial budget amount of $3K, and the various inputs  
from the list, I finally suggested the AEQ Bravo, (list $2,995) but  
with several caveats--principally the use of RCA jacks for the  
hi-level inputs, making it prone to tampering (going into a high  
school station, remember).

Unfortunately, this appears to be the design of many of these smaller,  
inexpensive consoles. A virtue, perhaps, where the P.D. or G.M. orders  
the console and installs it himself. No wiring skills needed, just  
hook it up like a hi-fi. Here I would be doing the install, so a  
hard-wired console is a plus, not a negative.

Remember their on-air console is a six channel Auditronics 2500  
series. So, as an alternative, I suggested an 8 channel Audioarts  
R55E, which is similar in lay-out and function to their small  
Auditronics board. I suggested this would prove more durable than the  
cheaper consoles, and could be permanently wired in place. On the  
other hand, with a list price of around $4800, about $18 00 over their  
grant budget of $3K.

I mentioned that I had just installed just such a console for the NCE  
station at one of our local colleges.  Wheels began to turn. The  
station's GM, a middle school English teacher (combined campus--6  
through 12 in one large building), does occasional work for us on  
remotes.  The GM of the college station works for  us on weekends.  
Hence both GM's know each other. That seemed to turn the trick, the  
College seems happy with their R55E (which replaced a 1975 McCurdy  
board).

Just reported back to me that they've applied for the full amount  
needed for the Audioarts console, & the administration thinks they  
will probably get the grant.

Looks like I will be soldering pigtails on another bunch of 25 pin "D"  
connectors ;-). (yes, I know, you can use crimps--but I'm a lefty--the  
crimp tool they give you is too hard to use left handed)