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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

1464.0. "Simmons SPM8:2 Programmable Mixer" by FGVAXZ::LAING (Jim*261-2194*DEC MemorabiliaCollector) Thu Jun 16 1988 12:30

    [from glossy brochure for Simmons SPM-8:2 mixer, which I *may* buy
    ... if I do, I'll post a review here] ...
    
    "The SPM8:2 is a full-function, 8-channel stereo mixer...stores
    up to 64 different mixes...combinations of settings of level, EQ,
    panning and FX send for all 8 channels..."patches" recallable via
    MIDI.  Programmable cross-fade time....extremely compact [fits on
    ONE rack space!, that why I want one, ed. note]...3-band EQ with
    parameteric midrang...four effects plus LFO built-in...autopanning,
    freq. sweep, dynamic panning, dynamic freq. sweep.
    
    Programmable parameters per channel:
    	Level
    	Pan
    	LFO effects
    	EQ (3-band plus mid parametric control)
    	2 FX sends [they're MONO though]
    	
    Programmable "overall" parameters:
    	Effect 1 level, pan
    	Effect 2 level, pan
    	Crossfade time (0-10sec)
    
    Non-programmable:
    	left/right Output Level
    	Headphone/monitor level
    	Input gain (ea. channel has a trim control)
    
    [Box has about 20 knobs on its front.  There is one know for every
     programmable function.  They way you program, it seems, is that
     you select the channel, then simply adjust the knobs.  Another
     mode has knobs 1-8 as real-time LEVEL controls.]
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1464.1HARDY::JKMARTINThe Doctype Police are after me...Thu Jun 16 1988 13:225
This unit sounds *very* interesting.  Any comments/guesses on how quiet it
is?

	...jay

1464.2Price?HPSRAD::NORCROSSThu Jun 16 1988 13:301
   ...And of course what is the ball-park price of the thing?  /Mitch
1464.3Lotta money for 8 channels...JAWS::COTELook!! Eeet eees BASSOON!Thu Jun 16 1988 14:013
    I bleeves it's in the 1K dollar range...
    
    Edd
1464.4See, These Drum Guys Know How to Do It Right!DRUMS::FEHSKENSThu Jun 16 1988 15:109
    Yeah it's about $1K.  But it does a lot, even if only on 8 channels
    (it's equivalent to an 8 into 2 *board* class mixer) and it's got
    a lot of MIDI automation.  Try finding an 8 into 2 with equivalent
    capabilities in the classic configuration, and I'll betcha it's
    about $1K.  Then fold it into a space 1 rack unit high, at no extra
    charge.
    
    len.
    
1464.5<$800FGVAXZ::LAINGJim*261-2194*DEC MemorabiliaCollectorThu Jun 16 1988 15:2213
    LaSalle's  in Boston has 'em for $799 (have to order 'em, though).
    I once talked directly to Simmons ... they seemed to think that
    the SPM8:2 could be had for around $650 from a Simmons dealer; I've
    yet to find such a dealer.  I'm gonna call Simmons today (their
    number is 1-800-TEC-DRUM).
    
    I like the mixer for 2 reasons:
    	-It's small (one rack space)
    	-It has 3-band EQ on each channel
    
    I just hope it's clean/quiet, too!
    
    		-Jim
1464.6Sam Ash has 'em for $449FGVAXZ::LAINGJim*261-2194*DEC MemorabiliaCollectorThu Jun 16 1988 15:557
    Just called Sam Ash (8-800-4-SAM-ASH) ... they have 'em for $449!
    I asked, "Are you sure it's the SPM8:2"?  They said "Yes."  Either
    there is something wrong with 'em (although that didn't seem to
    be the case when I quickly tried on at LaSalles), or there is a
    new model out, or perhaps they didn't sell well at $1K????
    
    -Jim
1464.7It DOES provide a bunch of baroque LFO modulationsPANGLS::BAILEYConstants aren&#039;t, variables don&#039;tThu Jun 16 1988 17:2713
    I hear that it is very noisy, for a mixer.  Sound on Sound did a
    review of ``Midi programmable'' mixers, and they claim that it was
    a ``consumer'' quality unit, as opposed to the ``semi-pro'' label
    that they applied to other units.
    
    Another magazine (EM or KCS) also said that it was noisy.
    
    Then again, noisy is a relative term.  I don't mind a relatively
    noisy mixer, myself, but I don't record much.
    
    Let us know how it works out.
    
    Steph
1464.8Other MIDI-Controllable Mixers??HARDY::JKMARTINThe Doctype Police are after me...Thu Jun 16 1988 18:0412
re: .7

>    ... Sound on Sound did a
>    review of ``Midi programmable'' mixers, and they claim that it was
>    a ``consumer'' quality unit, as opposed to the ``semi-pro'' label
>    that they applied to other units.

What other units did they review?  And what were the general results (ie,
best price/performance, best features, lowest cost, etc.)

	...jay

1464.9I returned mine ...MDATA::MIYATAGaylord K Miyata DLB5-2/B3 291-8199Tue Jul 12 1988 13:202
I bought one and returned it for a $200 Kawai 8-ch mixer instead.
I was using it for submixing an SP-12.  Too noisy.
1464.10My SPM8:2 seems quiet...FGVAXZ::LAINGJim*261-2194*DEC MemorabiliaCollectorWed Jul 20 1988 18:079
    I just got mine (a week ago or so, that is).  So far, I like it!
    Seems as quite as a Tascam board I have, but then again I use it
    for live work, not recording.  I kinda miss having "instant" access
    to various knobs'n'sliders, but I wanted alot of mixer in a small
    package (1 rack space), and this seems to fit the bill.  
    
    Woops, that's QUIET, not QUITE, above!
    
    		-Jim