TAC - Total Audio Concepts Blue

Analog Mixer 32 tracks:
In fact it is the TAC 16/8/2 model from the late 70s (according to my sources), to which was added two more modules of 8 tracks each.
It owes its name to "Blue" to "hand rest" under the faders pretty blue color support.
There are direct outputs (also controlled by the fader) on each track, an insert / dedicated output and more, 8 subgroups, 8 stereo returns the tapes, four auxiliary buses, and various small celebration (call micro ...) .
All tracks have an XLR input, line input jack to standard output, direct mailing and feedback effects, to four different équalo an acute, high-parametric midrange, a parametric midrange serious and severe. The Faders are excellent and do not spit.
There are only 11 bar graphs in the body of the console, dedicated to the eight subgroups, General L & R, and the selected track in PFL.
Apart from this minor negative, there is really all about this console!
Please note, the XLR stereo outputs To have the hot spot on the pin 2 instead of 3, or vice versa, needless to say that I ripped the hair only to understand it all ...
No digital output, while analog.

My table is that of the photo (it was I who created this product)

UTILIZATION

No problem to navigate, except the central part including both the return and sends them to the sub ... I have 15 days to understand how it worked, without instructions, it is not easy ...
The only bar graph for all tracks is tiring ...

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">SHIFT OF 13/04/2007</span>
I got the original instructions for use, and it is much clearer vraimment
There is a complete manager listening (multiple exits and entries to ballfes), 8-track send and return for "bands" and send / return for general belts ...
In short, an instruction manual complete and detailed that makes me appreciate this even more silly!

SOUNDS

Console not transparent.
It is original and it feels Amek: mounted on a metal plate of old blue-Neve-indestructible, this feels his English "Fat" full nose. His former owner told me that artists went home just to remix their albums ... The Equalisers are hallucinating, you do what you want by adjusting at will. The preamps have a je ne sais quoi of the Rolling Stones, I like!
By pushing the inputs and Equalisers, the breath appears, but with the headroom qu&#39;offrnt pre-amps, I do not go that far.
It seems that one of the first TAC qu&#39;Amek created, I do not know, but it sounds.

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">***** Update ***** from 03/08/2009</span>

I FINALLY finished recording and mixing our first album ...
There was a lot of things to re-register (brass, vocals, guitars, ...) and a large portion of these new registrations have gone through the table. Indeed, my GTQ2 a sound so big that it did not fit with a lot of brass and other sources. The table sounded much better, completing the catch and the GTQ2 Goldmike ...

I think I went to get the best of each of my three sources preamp level, but perhaps with the table that I can record a whole album.

I have used in recording: + equalizer preamp and direct out of every ...

OVERALL OPINION

I&#39;ve had two months now.
What I like most is the sound, adjustable at will through the preamps équalo formidable and "typed". I intend to use the direct inputs with preamps and other use inserts with compressors of the same quality level.
The downside is that there is only one bar graph for all tracks (you press a button (PFL) on a track and it sends the signal in this one ...). Bargraph
I&#39;m looking for a bar graph! Feel free to contact me! And then the console will be perfect!
I tried a TAC Scorpion, an old Soundcraft any analog, but Blue was really the best because the sound is really Amek typed.
Paid € 2000 with Fly, value for money is unbeatable.
I would do this choice with his eyes closed ...

**** EDIT ****** of 15/05/2008
Well, after years of use / repeat recording a second opinion here is general:

The preamps cashing really well, even if a small "recapage" began to emerge: there are some more potatoes than another level of input gain ...

I do spend part of my group repeats "silent" amp simulator (or not) on guitars live in, live out of keyboards in, voice microphones, electronic drum live in, .... And it sounds, miracle, the sound is to die for!

The rest of my group through the Neve (GTQ2 Aurora Audio, recommended!) Goldmike (My Sax, also recommended !!!), and other vintage VCEQ1 Joemeek ...

Ben frankly I happened to disconnect some tracks through these devices for picking up on the table (the voice of the singer, for example, as well as guitar).

There is a "presence" very welcome to this table ...

I do not part with it for the high-end (my driving style console automated DAW (SSL / Soundscape SS32, highly recommended) with 2 faders per track "/>) A Happiness ... We record an album in July with all that stuff, I know you posted this in November (once completed mixes ...) **** EDIT *** of 05/08/2008 *** drum recordings were made with this config: GTQ2 on the snare and bass drum on it, the two Toms on my Goldmikes, all the rest (Snare Bottom, Charley, cymbals, overheads and ambience, Octobans) on This table Amek / TAC Ben ... the sound of cymbals and hi-hat is very "smooth", not as aggressive through Goldmikes (we tried!), it&#39;s "rock", and completely the sound of superbly GTQ2 -Neviesque!, and its battery is really great well balanced ... If I ever sold it is I psque other GTQ2 to replace it on CC, OH and Charley to ... this price and with 32 preamp / équalos ... yum!! I shake my head as soon as registrations and other Mix / Mastering is finished "/> ***** ***** Update from 03/08/2009 I FINALLY finished recording and mixing our first album ... In the meantime I built furniture that can store 52 units rack and placed at the ends of the table, they can hold 3 pairs of speakers, I dropped <img class="smiley" src="https://fr.audiofanzine.com/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_lol.gif" alt="" /> . The set is very "pro" ...

I will have to consider selling this beautiful coffee table (well small, 1.80m long anyway) to make something more "complete" (a table at 7000 Euros roughly) ... I will mourn the end of September to have to sell my Pitit Amek / TAC Blue ... Sniff

Thank you & to + + +
Paul
https://www.deroutes.fr