You also have to consider where the tubes are at relative to the gain staging in the desk. The real "smoke and mirrors" of modern tube electronics is the implementation of the tubes in the audio circuit. For example, if you have a tube on the input stage of this desk, where exactly is it being used in the circuit? Is in the mic amp and line input stage, or is it just in the mic amp? I don't see any specs on this board that show tubes being part of the mix bus, and that is probably where you would want that "tube" sound showing up if that's what you are going for.

Furthermore, if the tube is implemented in the imput gain stage, you might just have it on a mic amp, and in that case, the only tube you will get is what is printed from those mic amps to tape. That being said, Focusrite (outside of a very narrow product line from a long time ago) is a prosumer company that markets their equipment to people who spend too much time reading mix magazine - I would recommend against purchasing from them.

When I get out of work, I will give you some alternative suggestions.

Thanks...look forward to any and all suggestions.

I can't find any connection between TL and Focusrite - In fact, it looks like they are distributed by Sennheiser. Also, there is a triode stage on the main mix bus output, so the earlier comments I made don't exactly apply. The distortion on the spec sheet is very high - You normally see T.H.D at .0x%, where this mixer is .4%"typical" which doesn't clarify much - I would ask them about their specs regarding T.H.D. and get a real figure. I'd say calling your distortion on a mic or line level input/output "typical" is a sketchy offering.

http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/docs_07/suppor ... manual.pdf


Here are some other ideas in your range:

http://mercenary.com/toauatbmibch.html

This is what I want if I could find enough dough to run truly outboard:

http://www.speck.com/lilo/lilo.shtml

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