Q. The VM summing mixer inputs and outputs are balanced or unbalanced ?
A. Of course fully balanced solid state network & switching network from input - insert- to return - output.
Q. 2xstereo outs? or more?
A. Basically the first summing out is dedicated for recording (MAIN), second output for monitoring purposes (MONITOR)
Of course if u have more monitor speakers, can build third (3x) fourth (4x) or fifth (5x) stereo output. (OUT A/B/C/D)
Q. Benefits of 2xStereo (OUT1 and OUT2) outs?
A. During analog mixing process You will record (OUT1) exact the same audio material as hear on your monitor speakers (OUT2).
Q. I need external Monitor controller if I choose the built in VM summing monitor/master out control option by switch?
A. No need external monitor controller if select the "built in" output control option.
Can build by internal maser out control by TWO 2 position ON/OFF switch : (OUT1A/OUT2B/OUT1C and so on)
Q. Can I leave free (unconnected) inputs on VM summing?
A. Yes! Can be left "free" unconnected inputs 4-8-16 or more! No thermal noise both active/passive mode,
due to custom-developed double grounded balanced summing network.
Q. Can I use my unbalanced analog synth signal with VM summing?
A. Yes! VM summing can handle both balanced/unbalanced signal from synth like Moog, Nord, Yamaha etc.
Q. Can I use my unbalanced analog sampler signal with VM summing?
A. Yes! VM summing can handle large external instruments like samplers, tape machines, drummachines etc.
Q. Can I use my DAW interface output signal with VM summing?
A. Of course! Can be fit to all brand of DAW interface, like Digidesign 192, Avid HD I/O 16X16, Universal Audio, RME Fireface, Prism, Lynx Aurora, Apogee, Motu, Focusrite, Metric Halo, Steinberg MR816, and so on..
Q. Master Insert/Return/Bypass by switch...benefits?
A. Convenient and useful: can compare audio material by switch between processed/unprocessed signal
*bypass external processor
Q. Auto switch option...what does it mean?
A. The SEND TRS out it have built in switch, the signal was not interrupted if nothing connected in. When you connect an external gear, the 100% signal were sent to SEND (out).
That option can choose if your external processor (eq. comp. limiter) have bypass option.
Q. Can I use my external unbalanced stereo Compressor and EQ for signal processing on master insert?
A. Yes! Can handle both balanced/unbalanced external gears, signal processors eg. EQ, Compressor, Limiter, Multi Effects Processors like Massenburg, Drawmer S3, Lexicon, Alesis, Tube-Tech LCA2B, JoeMeek, FMR Audio RNC DBX, ART etc.
Q. I have 2 x mic pre ins on my interface. Can I use my DAW interface microphone preamps for make up gain purposes?
A. Of course! Can be fit to all brand of DAW interface mic pre ins!
Q. Can I use my dual ch microphone preamps for make up gain purposes?
A. Yes! Can handle large number of external mic preamps like AMS Neve 1073,Aphex Channel, Great River, Avalon, Chandler Limited, Crane Song, SPL, Focusrite, Presonus, Midas, Summit Audio, ART Pro and so on...
Please note: Caution! Phantom +48V may damage your D/A's analog line out's!
Q. Can I choose different input type? First 1-8 input by DB25, the last 9-16 by TRS?
A. Of course can choose different input type to build your summing - both DB25 and TRS!
Q. Can I choose different output type? First 2xstereo out by XLR, second 1xstereo by TRS ?
A. Yes! Can build as requested! Btw. please note: the XLR output need more space than TRS, so maybe not will be enought the 1U rack:)
please visit PANEL EXAMPLE page
Q. Stereo to mono input conversion option benefits?
"regard to clarity of position in the stereo field the mono is true mono"
A. However, for mono signals (such as kick, snares, lead vocals or bass that should appear centered in the middle of a mix), it would be a waste to use (Stereo L/R panned channels) what would amount to two required converters for a mono result. In such cases, channel pairs 1 & 2, 3 & 4 etc may be switched to mono mode (CH1 to 1-2), so that, for example, there might be a (mono) kick on channel 1, snare on channel 2 and bass on channel 3, etc.
Q. How many Stereo to mono can choose?
A. It's depend of Your music and production. Of course can add to all Stereo inputs L/R. eg. 16 in summing = 8L and 8R = 8xStereo/Mono = 16 mono inputs
Q. Standalone Mono inputs...?
A. Not recommended, due the standalone mono inputs will increase dramatically the stereo crosstalk on unused mono inputs.
Q. With Direct input switch option can connect my old summing mixer?
A. Yes! Just choose desired input, and switch between signal way options:
SW Enable: signal goes direct to summing amp/master out
SW Disable: signal goes to summing network as regular summing input
* can be connected another summing mixer or input signal for comparison purposes
*can be use for direct monitoring purposes (bypass summingnetwork, signal direct to master out)
Q. Enclosure size...?
Can select enclosure type/size: 1U, 2U, 3U Standard Rack RAL Black
Q. Design...?
Can choose front panel design or You can make plans for Your faceplate, or tell me about Your ideas, Concepts, attempt to bring out the best (also always need Your approval before laser engraving process)
pick up idea here: https://summing.vintagemaker.net/
Q. Power LED colour...?
Can Select the Power LED colour: Blue, Yellow, Green, Red
Q. Something personal like my Name...?
Of course! Your name or Your Studio / Project name and so on!
Difference between summing amps
Based on customers feedback, no day/night difference, they are mostly transparent and clean with really nice harmonics
IMHO add an EQ for coloring / adding tone can massively redefine the tone of mix, and sounds really cool..:)
- Lawo DV972 - All Style - Transparent - HAUFE in /PIKATRON out X-FORMERS (limited availability)
- Lawo DV975 - All Style - Transparent - HAUFE/PIKATRON X-FORMERS
- Filtek DV1175 - All Style - Transparent - HAUFE in/HAUFE out X-FORMERS
- Neumann v475-2B - All Style - Transparent - HAUFE in/HAUFE out X-FORMERS (limited availability)
- Neumann v475-2C - All Style - Transparent - HAUFE in/HAUFE out X-FORMERS (limited availability)
- Neumann v475-2A - Vintage Sound - HAUFE in/HAUFE out X-FORMERS (limited availability)
*excellent for acoustic, classical, jazz, blues, blues-rock, classic-rock, folk-rock, country, ballad, bluegrass etc.
- NE2OX A2E / A7E - Transformer based dual stereo summing amp with variable frequency mod Dark/Flat/Air
The (Neumann/Filtek/Lawo or Tab/Telefunken) dual junction amplifier contains two(2)STEREO (dual stereo)mutually independent balanced audio frequency amplifiers designed for signal summation in high quality studio mixing desks. Special attention has been given in the design of the cards, to dependability and operational reliability, stability of the electrical parameters, good immunity to disturbance and crosstalk attenuation between the two (L/R) signal paths.
No A/B comparison tests due to following reasons:
Every studio setup is different, due to different mixing strategy, different point of view, style, sound and production, I can't reproduce Your studio environment, your studio setup, your monitor type, sound, preamp, amp, gain adjustment, cable, and etc.
Why are the Vintage Maker summing mixers so much cheaper than all the other brands?
VintageMaker is a small manufacture who deals directly with You without markups from distribution and retail channels.
VintageMaker use the same high grade components used by all the other manufacturers. There is no compromise there!
High quality components result the correct and low noise operation of the popular summing network designed / developed by Vintage Maker, therefore is the most liked passive solution since 2010!
Take 2 Minutes To Read about Analog Mixing Basics...
*if You are familiar with, please skip the followings
Before You connect the summing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLfL7VgBgfI&t
Simple Signal routing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9nBIP-Rttc&t
Stereo to mono input demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK9YBU7J7Gg&feature=youtu.be
The mixing technique has shifted mostly to the passive summing part (Grammy-winning producer method) because it's easy to switch between different external amp like Neumann, Neve, Lawo, Avalon, API, Focusrite and so on.
If you do not have them, You can use Your DAW Mic Preamps or intrument inputs with GREAT success!!
What is the point?
1. You MUST to achieve the harmonic distortion in the passive summing side.
2. Then makeup gain the created harmonics by your DAW interface Mic Preamps / instrument Inputs or external Mic Amps/Preamps.
1. Gain Staging
Mainly there are 2 ways to work in the analog domain: (two types of user)
1st way: plug and play mode - 70% of users use this method because they do not know the potential of the analog device
*it buys, connects and is happy because the mix sounds better, more 3D sound, dept, the highs and lows sounds better etc. etc.
Its because physics of analog mixing nothing magic :) the instruments are mixed in the analog domain as sinusoidal voltages!
This operation is simply performed by adding the instantaneous signal voltages together. The electronic circuit design is optimized to provide sufficient headroom to accommodate the signals from a large number of channels, as well as to maintain a sufficiently low noise floor.
2nd way: advanced mode like a pro
You know 0db = clipping mess if you go past it in digital, and in analog 0db is perfectly fine and you'll have like 15-20 db of "headroom"
*Headroom is how much room your audio signal has before it starts to get compressed and distorted.
First of all must achieve the "harmonic distortion" effect on all summing inputs / hit / drive summing inputs harder / other words, you need to find one by one for all your instruments the gentle distortion point in the passive summing network, where the harmonic distortion starts gently and it's about right, depend of music production, eg. if you mix a techno, or Glitch Hop, Dubstep, Drum & Bass you Must overdrive summing inputs to get a "dirty" distortion.
If you mix acoustic jazz material just "kiss" the harmonic distortion on summing inputs - gently.
It basically impossible to do that ITB [In-The-Box] over 0dB starts to distort during gain staging.
2. Separation: Panorama / positioning / process - find the right places of Your instruments - where they sit better in the stereo field / separation.
3. Final gain staging: "sweet spot" use a transparent DAW micpre, instrument input or Your favorite external preamp for saturation / amplify the HARMONICS already generated in the passive side.
Of course can be an alternative beside a brilliant Neve1073, Neumann v475 and so on
Here comes the Magic: Your mixes will start to sound dynamic open and wide, just like the good old analog days:)
