Allen & Heath Scepter Rack 12/0/2

Rackable 19 "
12 channel mic / line balanced, insert and direct out jacks (unbalanced) by, PAD.
Switchable 3-band EQ with semi-parametric midrange. Low-cut filter 70 Hz
4 aux sends with PRE 2 and 2 factory POST (PRE or POST not configurable jumpers to be positioned on each channel card, requires a fairly laborious dismantling).
2 auxiliary stereo returns with level and balance in the + Aux send 1 and 2.
Returns 4 mono (TS) with level and balance.
Bus inputs L and R to connect to another console.
Main L + R outputs on balanced XLR, balanced XLR output Mono, Stereo out more about Jack.
Signal presence indicator Green LED per channel and mute.
No Input / Output RCA recorder.
No groups. No onboard effects.

All inputs and outputs are located under the console (console designed to be rackée vertically in a cabinet.

PFL for all channels. Headphone + Monitor.

120 mm faders high quality very soft.

All materials and all components are of the highest quality, hence its high price made this console virtually unsaleable.

SSM Integrated input circuits with protection circuits for input chokes and zener diodes very effective. Virtually all other integrated circuits are NE5532. Output circuits in symmetrical SSM simulation processor.
All integrated circuits are mounted on support and are removable and interchangeable without soldering.

Despite the heavy sheet metal aluminum front panel of 2 mm.

Separate power supply rather heavy.

UTILIZATION

Very simple configuration without any surprise.

Many possible configurations for jumpers or straps PCB Mounting after dismantling (quite lengthy).
Examples: the insert and direct out per channel can be before or after EQ before or after Mute. The same for the Aux sends.
Departures mono and stereo can be before or after general fader.
Etc.. Possibilities too numerous to describe here.

English manual with diagrams and clear enough positions of components and jumpers on the PCB.

SOUNDS

Console transparent and without color (extra flat frequency response from 20 Hz to 30 kHz and above).
Very light wind on the preamp input does not get in practice.

Very effective EQ (+ / - 16 dB) and progressive and accurate graduations.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it in live sound for small concerts for over 10 years. No problem, no spitting or failing to date without having to change the knobs or faders.

on the other hand I had problems on the bases of the inserts Jacks: Contacts eventually oxidize, direct contact is no longer the way and fails. This is particularly noticeable if you leave the Jacks inserts connected for months or even years and the direct contact is no longer when you remove the jack. Problem occurred on almost all channels including general also have inserts.
Cleaning the contact is enough to solve the problem: a sheet of paper is pinched between the contacts and rubbed with several trips, she uses mild abrasive and cleaning brush.

I changed two potentiometers damaged in handling accidents.
Plus a zener circuit protection Input: a guitarist had to unplug the jack on his guitar and left him lying on a podium all-metal non-grounded and can be connected to one phase of the industry. It made a nice spark visible in daylight and a black spot of molten metal on the end of Jack.
The integrated circuit input has not even grilled, zener diodes limit the input voltage cashed energy flux. I had other accidents of this kind without any consequences.

In this copnsole everything exudes quality and strength. It's made to last and there is no compromise anywhere.

The LED signal is very convenient (I bought it despite its price because of the LED indispensable for my own use and infrequent at the time).

The configuration options are very interesting and makes this versatile console.
As against this requires disassembly / reassembly quite tedious. The maneuver is told in great detail in the manual. It takes a good half hour to remove the screws from the 15 XLR and nuts cinquantaire of Jacks back thirty + screws of different diameters. Together for reassembly.

I do not regret my choice at the time. The high quality components gave me a reliability.

Now there is better for less, and I plan to have an evolution more channels (24 instead of 12).