I'm pointing this out because we accept the criticism that the EQ sounds peaky when boosted to 15dB, but we feel that you may be able to help us explain our reasons for designing it this way to potential customers before they have had a chance to peruse our manual.
The optional VCA fader/mute automation consists of a 1U rackmount unit, one ribbon cable for each 8 channels of automation, automation software for Windows, and a manual. If you buy the Project 8 with the automation, the VCAs will already be installed in the Project 8 for you. If you buy the automation afterwards, the VCAs will have to be installed, which involves taking apart the Project 8. (For further information about the Project 8 automation, please see the sidebar, "Project 8 Automation.")
Soundtracs Topaz 12 4 Manual
The Project 8 also has plenty of headroom. I could always get ample gain for any signal I fed to the Project 8, yet I never encountered any distortion problems. The board is very quiet and is particularly well-suited for digital recordings. However, there was one slight problem. The peak LEDs on each channel tend to light at too low a level (that is, even though the peak LED was lit, I could still increase the gain quite a bit without hearing any distortion). The manual states that the peak LEDs should light 5 dB before clipping, but in fact they light at a much lower level. For example, when recording kick drum, the peak LED would be continuously lit, yet no clipping was present.
The manual is relatively thick, but about half of it contains parts lists and schematics. Some of the information in the feature section is sketchy. For instance, the entire description of the phase button states, "The phase button reverses the phase of the input signal to cancel out-of-phase conditions." But no information is given as to when the input signal might be out of phase and why you would want to cancel out of phase conditions. I realize the manual is not intended to be a primer on multitrack recording, but since the Project 8 is marketed toward the project studio market, more thorough descriptions are warranted, and a tutorial would be a nice addition. However, the manual has excellent sections on the principles of sound recording and hooking up, and technical information, as well as a helpful block diagram.
The Project 8 Automation was a snap to install because the VCAs were already installed in the review Topaz I received. The VCAs, according to the manual, are the latest trimmable versions from Analog Devices. It took about ten minutes to hook up the hardware and five minutes to install the software. I received V1.01 software for Windows. The Project 8 automation is controlled through the software only and not through the faders and mutes on the mixer. The software has an attractive user interface and was relatively reliable in operation. The manual was a bit sketchy, but it tells you what you need to know to get started. I was up and running in no time.
Using the automation was generally a pleasure. The software has extensive online help. Everything worked as it should, and the system only crashed once. The software was intuitive and easy to use. Although I've been automating mixes with MIDI sequencers for years, this was my first time using software to control a hardware mixer, and the results were quite satisfying. The Project 8 uses dynamic frame-accurate fader and 1/4-frame-accurate mute automation. I had no trouble with zipper noise, but there was a small problem with the end of the faders' taper: When I manually faded out a track, the sound would be totally faded out when the software fader was not fully down. Other than that problem, the automation worked remarkably well.
Since there have quite some caps for the jacks missing I replace all of them (138) with brand new Neutrik gold plated NJ5FD-Vs. Now I like to modify the Auxes for post fader operation. The console has been modified for +4dB operation, but I like to double-check that as well. It is time to purchase to user manual! Please let me know the total including the shipping to the USA. I live half around the world in Hawaii. I do have a PayPal account. My Topaz was built in 1994(?). I believe that recapping is overrated. No need to do this for my Mixer another 10 years. But I like to hear your opinion! Regards, Kurt
I used to sell both. I used the Ghost a handful of times. Soundtracs analog consoles are supported by a former Soundtracs rep. Do a google. A friend of mine was a worship leader at a church with a large format Soundtracs console, and he said the guy knew his stuff, and had an abundance of spare parts, manuals, etc.
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Thank you for your support AND for using Soundtracs products. We have been working with them since 1982 and will be here for another 20 years . We have also decide to provide a free USER PDF manual within the subscription ( NOT Solitaire, Jade + Sequel) I havn't included the circuit diagrams but can SCAN one or two if you really need one . 2ff7e9595c
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