API 1608 32-Channel Console Loaded #548-0047 (Used)

32 Channel API 1608 Console in excellent working and cosmetic condition!

CONSOLE TECHNICAL DETAILS

Dimensions (L’ x W’ x D’): L 81 1/2"x W 43 1/2" x H 40"
Cosmetic Condition from 1-10 (10 being ‘as new’): 9
List of Cosmetic Flaws:
The back of the Sterling Modular desk rack space was slightly shaved to make room for cables. See pictures.
Working Order 1-10 (10 being as new) : 9
List of Major Working Faults:
No major working faults
Does Console Have Direct Outs: No
Direct Outs Transformer Balanced:
How Many Lines Inputs at Mix: 32
List of Any Modifications:

When Was It Last Serviced: 02/27/2023
List of Any Spare Parts Included: None



CONSOLE FEATURES

Model # & Qty of Mic Pre/EQs:
API 550b Discrete 4-Band EQ (4)
API 550A 500 Series 3-Band Equalizer Module (2)
AMS Neve 1073LBEQ 500 Series Equalizer Module (2)
Solid State Logic 611EQ 500 Series Parametric Equalizer (2)
dbx 530 500 Series Parametric EQ Module (4)
AMS Neve 1073LB 500 Series Mic Preamp Module
Model # & Qty of Compressors:
API 527 500 Series Compressor / Limiter Module (2)
Solid State Logic 611DYN compressor gate (2)
Serpent Audio SA76-500 Splice MKII 500 Series FET Compressor Module (2)
# of Aux Sends: 8
# of Effect Sends: 8
# of Busses: 8
Phantom Power: Yes
Brand of Automation: N/A
Does Automation Work:
# of Speaker Selectors: 3


ACCESSORIES

Brand & Type of Patchbay: Audio Accessories WDBP-9615-SH
Qty of Patchbay(s): 5
Location of Patchbay: Remote
Brand & Length of Cabling: Mogami (20') and Acculink (20')
Brand & Type of Furniture: Sterling Modular RND Pro Series and Versa II Two Bay Rack
Is There a Stand
Included: Yes
Is There a Producer's Desk
Included: No


CONSOLE DOCUMENTATION

Is Original Manual Included: No
Is Manual Complete: No
Do you have a Recent Tech Report: Yes
Are Known Modifications are Documented: Yes


The API 1608 is used in professional and project studios the world over, including Blackbird Studios in Nashville (who purchased the first one), and over a hundred others; from larger studios like Telefunken USA, Signature Sound, University of Michigan, and WAX Ltd ... to smaller project studios like Dan Auerbach's Akron Analog and Steve Miller's home studio. What these venues all have in common is a desire for simplicity, flexibility, reliability, and analog warmth, and they all get it with their API rig.

Numerous albums have been made on a 1608, including the Foo Fighters l#1 record "Wasting Light" -- tracked and mixed in Dave Grohl's garage on an API 1608.

Building on API's rich heritage of extremely high quality recording consoles, we introduce the Model 1608, a full featured small format recording console based on the vintage API 1604 console, which has held its demand and value for over three decades.

The API 1608 gives all of the advantages of the 1604 Vintage Consoles while adding new, modern features valuable to today's Engineers, Producers and Musicians.

The 1608 is built to the same exacting API build standards as our Vision consoles, Legacy consoles, and modular products.

Details:

• Headroom is +28dBU
• 32 channels mic/line
• 500 Series slot per channel (8 spare, can be normalled to FX return or patchable)
• 32x 312 vintage style mic pre’s (as in 3124+)
• 4x 560 graphic and 12x 550a included
• 24 line return at stereo mix
• Access to stereo line in at mix
• Discrete classic 2520 op-amp design
• Legacy type logic throughout
• 8 buss
• 8 aux
• 8 FX return
• 5.1 monitoring
• 3 position speaker selector (dim, dim volume, mute, mono)
• Inserts on all input channels and mix buss
• Direct line inputs per channel like 512/3124+
• Built like a tank

Question 1:
"Can you describe what’s balanced, what’s unbalanced, and what has transformers?"

Answer:

• Line in: active balanced discrete API 2520 amplifier
• Pre-amp out transformer balanced
• EQ in isEQdependent (the 1608 motherboards are setup to accept a 2510 balancing amp card which is NOT stock, as you would only want them if yourEQis unbalanced in): 560 is balanced, 550a is unbalanced, 550b is unbalanced.
• EQ out: transformer balanced
• Insert return: active balanced discrete API 2510 amplifier
• Direct out: transformer balanced
• Multi Bus Outs: transformer balanced
• Multi Bus to PGM Bus assign: Passive resistor balanced assign
• PGM summing amp outs: transformer balanced
• PGM Insert returns: active balanced discrete API 2510 amplifier
• PGM Outs: Transformer balanced
• Echo Sends: transformer balanced
• Echo Returns: active balanced discrete API 2510 amplifier
• CR outs: Transformer balanced
• Oscillator out: active balanced output

Question 2:
"Has the summing design changed? If so, why?"

Answer:
The old 1604/2488 summing busses were not balanced, and therefore much noisier than the New 1608, so it's not the same as the old consoles, it's tons better (it's certainly not cheaper, it's more expensive, but it's the right thing to do...). The 1608 uses discrete 2520's and transformers for the summing amplifiers, just like all the old API's do, but with balanced summing buses.

The standard fit of a 1608 Console is:

• (16) 548B Inputs with Mic/Line and Direct Output
• (12) 550A Equalizers
• (4) 560 Equalizers
• (8) Echo Returns
• (1) Complete Center
• Facilities Section
• (16) Manual Faders
• (1) Stereo Fader