A few broadcast delights that are for sale – anything listed here is still available.
Smaller items (not the mixers) I am happy to post/courier (UK only) – the mixers are collection-only, but can be delivered within this area for the full asking price, I will not post them. I also visit family in Essex semi-regularly, so if you’re near the Newark-A1-A14-M11-Stansted-Chelmsford route then we can work something out.
Eela S340 “split” Mixing Console – £600 (subject to delivery/collection arrangements, see top of this page)
This S340 was originally installed at Century 105 in Salford and was the main on-air desk that appeared in the “Trouble at the Top” documentary featuring the late John Myers.
FREE USB/RS232 Fader-Start Interface included.
Dating from mid-1998, this desk works fine although has some age-related marks and a few of the PFL buttons are a little “bouncy”. The Mic Gain trimmers are a little crackly. Faders (P&G) are VCA, the main On/Off/Start buttons are EAO Series-31 and last forever.
The desk has been deep-cleaned and is now rather shiny with some new P&G fader-knobs.
This is a split-desk comprising 2x 12-channel frames – 1 of which contains the meter-bridge and additional connections at the rear. As such, it is considerably heavy and just about OK for 1 person to carry whilst the other frame is quite manageable. The frames are 19″/485mm wide (40mm per module). The main chassis can be used on its own if you just want a small robust mixer with a spare set chassis+channel modules “just in case”.
A ring-binder manual of information, circuit diagrams and configuration settings is provided which allows you to easily service (and fault-find) the desk. Here is a ZIP file containing several photos from the manual, plus other assorted information.
Most parts are still obtainable: Faders (10k linear), op-amps (NE5532, TL082/084). I have replaced some of the electrolytic capacitors and a few op-amps which either failed or didn’t meet spec when tested. Unlike “modern” IP desks, the use of discrete (and easily removed) components makes the usual maintenance fairly easy.
2x 12-channel Frames (right-side contains meter-bridge+wiring)
4x S341 Mic/Mic (EQ)
9x S342 Stereo
1x S342 Stereo (EQ)
1x S343 Telco/OS
4x S343 Telco/OS (EQ)
12-way Selector
2x Blank Modules
3U PSU (inc connecting cable)
Full Technical Manual (circuit diagrams, config etc)
The 2 channels on the far left (S342/EQ+S343) are spare and have no rear connector panel. Modules can be moved around so virtually any layout can be created with the aid of a screwdriver. Remote-start of machines plus return tallies (ie: play lamp), full remote “Mic” control (on/off, cough/PFL-TalkBack) and an off-air record function (leaving playout faders routed to “Air”) all add to the useful functions offered.
The timer module is not wired in; this module replaced the hole left by an electronic “outside source” selector which was removed before I got the desk. You could place your own custom switch panel here and run the wires out the back.
The 12-way Selector has a stereo output that usually routes to the EXT1 or EXT2 monitor input allowing you to listen to a variety of feeds/sources in the studio – but, if 2 EXT inputs (plus “Desk”) are enough, you could feed it into a stereo channel as a 12-input outside/remote-source selector. Very flexible!
Connectors to the stereo channels are on 25-way Sub-D, XLR on the Mics and other Sub-D (9, 15, 25) connectors for Output, Switching, Talkback etc. Some 25-way/Phono-socket “breakout” looms plus a selection of spare op-amp chips will be included.
Soundcraft RM105 8-channel Mixing Desk – £350 (subject to delivery/collection arrangements, see top of this page)
This would make an ideal newsroom or production mixer at a Community Radio Station with its ease of use and small footprint. It may also be handy in a bedroom studio, for recording shows, podcasts or Skype/Zoom calls.
A FREE USB/RS232 Fader-Start Interface is included, if you want it.
With 2 telco modules, this allows for connection to both phone hybrids and computer for VoIP/Skype/Zoom – each having their own clean-feed and off-air talkback during PFL. This means you can co-host with a remote presenter over Zoom but also take a phone call.
Coarse level-trimmers allow for setting-up a module to a nominal operating level with +/- 15dB Gain trim for day-to-day adjustments.
A post-fade Aux Send creates an additional clean-feed (handy if you require a stereo CF to a remote-studio), a “microphone-only” feed or effects send for reverb etc. Remote-start, on-air muting/signalling, 4 external monitor inputs and PPM monitoring make this a small yet powerful bit of alright.
The operating manual (featuring details of connections and mixer operation) can be found here. The channel arrangement is as follows:
1x Mic/Line (EQ)
2x Mic/Line
3x Stereo (EQ)
2x Telco (EQ)
Master Section (3-modules wide) – this is the Mk1 version, no Guest H/P output
Power-supply (free-standing, not rack) with link cable to mixer – just add a “kettle” lead.
The image above is missing the screws holding the Meter-Bridge panel, they are included but my best picture was taken during alignment of the PPM driver board.
This desk has had a thorough clean in all of its special places, the faders (P&G) have been re-lubed making them almost box-fresh. Replacement faders are 10k mono, linear and will require a switch (Digikey part# 255-3743-ND). You could also use Alps, but the switch is necessary (D&R webshop sell them here).
Some minor scratchy Gain pots although these are hardly noticeable if the audio is loud enough. Faders are VCA, so no crackles there. There are a few minor blemishes on the chassis but nothing too drastic.
Channels have been labelled for a typical environment but you can easily make your own – the modules, like most on desks of this type, are interlinked via a ribbon cable so can be moved around if you’d prefer a different layout.
The desk can sit directly on a table-top or be mounted several ways into a cut-out, either semi-flush or flat (the manual has pictures of this).
Optional, if you need them:
- 4x White Sifam fader-knobs
- 3x 3.5mm to left/right XLR “soundcard” cables
- External Input 1+2 Connector with short trailing phono sockets (to route “off-air” and/or a post-processor feed back to your cans/speakers)
USB Remote-Start Joystick Interface, basic version – £50 inc UK Postage
This is a 6-input fader/remote-start “joystick” interface. These are recently-built units made from spares left from the earlier Mk2 design.
TWO UNITS AVAILABLE
I still use 2 of these boxes in my own studio: 1 for Playout and the other handles LED “On-Air” displays and coloured RGB strip-lights, they sit on the computer shelf, run 24/7 and are largely forgotten about.
They can be used with DAC Cartwall, mAirList, Myriad v4*, StudioScreen and other applications that feature control via a game/joystick device.
*For reasons unknown, the “joystick” device is NOT recognised by Broadcast Radio’s Myriad v5/v6 “Hardware Service”.
Ideal for remote-start of Player Decks in automation software or for toggling LEDs in my StudioScreen clock display.
- UK (inc Channel Is, IoM, Northern Ireland) : £50 [click here to purchase]
- Europe (inc Ireland) : 65 Euros [click here to purchase]
Price includes 1st-Class “Signed-For” / EU Tracked+Signed shipping.
A 1m USB cable is included – as a “joystick” device, it’s plug’n’play so no driver required.