Photo is from the Basing Street Studios brochure in the 1970s. Actual photos of console will be available in late -December. Not all items in photo are still installed in this desk.
Console Layout:
Far Left – Echo Send Return ModulesInside Left – PatchbaysCenter Sections – Majority of the input modulesInside Right – Master SectionFar Right – 8 Input Modules
Dimensions: 42"H x 32W" x 120L"
Module Info:Channel Strip:-Mic level adjust-Line level adjust-Phase switch-EQ Cut switch-3 band EQ High Frequency shelf @10kHZ Mid Gain Mid Frequency Mid Mode Selects between boost(PK) and cut (TR) Low Frequency Shelf 50Hz-Track select L-Track select R-Foldback (FB) Adjust 1-4-Insert 1-Insert 2-Echo Pre,1-4 (controls echo send 1-4 input)-Pan select-Pan adjustMonitor Section:24 inputs with solo,cut and panning functions. Input controlled from the Track Select knob on the channel strip and Patchbay. Also routable to Echo sends via echo send switch.Master Section:Selectable buss meters on the top left. Stereo buss meters on the top right. External input adjust,prod mic adjust, TB adjust, and FB 1+2 input select (off channel or mon mix). Center section has monitor mode on the left and studio playback on the right. Monitor and studio level adjust. Buss master section at the bottom.Echo Returns:Input controlled via channel strip or monitor section. EQ adjust 10kHz high shelf and 50Hz low shelf. Track select knob to route to tape.Echo Sends:Input controlled via channel strip or monitor section. EQ adjust 10kHz high shelf and 50Hz low shelf. Also has insert on each send.
Basing Street Studios, more commonly known as Island Studios, was the home base of Chris Blackwell, founder of island Records. Chris lured Dick Swettenham away from Olympic Studios to custom build a desk for him at his new home in Basing Street. Thus began the era of the Helios console, which ruled the rock music of Britain in the early 70s. The original desk built by Swettenham was located upstairs in Studio 1, while this one was installed downstairs in Studio 2 in late 1973.
The list of artists that recorded at Island in the 70s ranges from Black Sabbath and Jethro Tull to Brian Eno, Genesis and Bob Marley.
Features:
Brand of Automation: none
Dimensions:
101.5" Length (59" larger section, 42.5" smaller section)31" High at armrest, (can be lowered-stand has wheels) 45" Deep
Is There a Producer's Desk: No
WORKING ORDER
All mic preamps, line inputs, channel busses, mix busses, & direct outputs were tested and working on last service performed 3/23/2010. Console has been relatively trouble free since put into service. Typical problems have been resolved by cleaning and exercising switches and replacing aged capacitors.
CONSOLE TECHNICAL DETAILS
Electrical outlet near patch bay was installed by previous owner and is not functional - removal will likely cause cosmetic damage.
Pedigree/History: The Norah Jones album "Come Away With Me" that swept the 2003 Grammys, winning 8 awards, was recorded on this console. Over the years it has been used by hundreds of artists as varied as Maceo Parker, G.E. Smith, Philip Glass and De La Soul. It features flexible routing. minimal signal path architecture for maximum fidelity and high quality components hand-wired for reliability.
How Many Lines In at Mix: 64 (32 VCA with automation and 32 monitor faders)
System includes:
Very nice condition Neve BCM-10 10x2 Class A mixing console, using 1272 line amps. Great choice for top-notch tracking and stereo stem mixing.
Sale price includes Premium VK Servicing. Direct outs are also optional.
1073 conversion
The Neve 1073 mic pre/EQ module has been the industry standard for the past four decades. Its tone makes it highly desirable, but that desirability also makes a vintage 1073 a rare commodity. In the search for that elusive tone, one alternative is to modify a Neve 2074 module to act as a 1073. The Neve 2074 is a line in/EQ only version of the 1073, with the only difference being that the 2074 has no capability for microphone input. But all of the EQ settings are the same on both modules. Thus, by adding the microphone section components, a 2074 can be converted into a 1073.To accomplish this conversion, our Vintage King technicians start with a new ELMA input attenuator, wired with metal-film resistors. ELMA is the original manufacturer of these components for Neve, and they remain the industry standard today, used by a wide variety of companies.
In addition to the new attenuator, a new Carnhill input transformer is added. Carnhill is the current manufacturer for these Neve components, and they are made to the original spec for 1073 modules. These same transformers are used by Neve and BAE to make their versions of the 1073.In the conversion process, all the circuit cards remain original; any wiring that needs to be added is accomplished with original Neve wire whenever possible. New metal-film resistors are added to the interior of the card edge connector, and a new Hi/Lo impedance switch is added on the back of the module. Finally, the faceplate is rescreened in order to match the original lettering of a 1073.
Although the process is labor intensive, the result is well worth it - a mic pre/EQ module that is for all intents and purposes, a Neve 1073, the most legendary and sought-after mic pre/EQ in the audio industry. Rest assured that a converted 2074 from the Vintage King Tech Shop will be built to the highest technical standards, and will provide you with years of trouble-free use and excellent sound quality.