TAC - Total Audio Concepts Matchless

This is a big analog console of the mid-80s, which is available in 26 or 36 tracks.
I'll tell you about the version 26 (the photo shows the version 36, 26 on the tray 10 slices supplmentaires be replaced by the latral rack for factory installed patches bantam.

It is semi-inline and has 24 buses, 8 auxiliary pre / post (with master section / EQ and auxiliary sends and returns) Each effect return, or each group can be in four to rinject, complte talkback section, oscillator 3 frquences

Possde every grid sending to the 24 mix buses and ST,
a prampli (design ams / neve), 48v switchable pad, phase,
4 EQ with 2 paramtriques (the Q 2 positions) plus a low-cut 60 or 120 Hz
1 sent to the monitor mix with pan,
1 led to peak
pan, PFL, mute, fader 100mm SPLA

2 bantam patch (96 points) "SERIES of" for all external routing
saw only 24 / Led peakmtres, tracks 25 and 26 may have a part ...

To note, I put 10 because it is extremely well thought complte, all as too invasive for her age (only 2m long) And the patch is "customizable" desire, if As we are not afraid to play the soldering iron!

UTILIZATION

It is very simple to use, the buttons are standard and srigraphie well done, the 24 bus allows complex configurations in the blink of an eye.
In fact it consitutes of four kinds of sliced ​​diffrent:
26 MCDS1000 (channel strip)
4 MCDS2000 (slice sous-gourpe/retours effects)
1 MCDS3000 (Desal EQ band, to masters, talkback and mute groups)
1 MCDS4000 (Master slice, control room, tape, the stro)

trs operation is readable because of this organization functions in the slices (the common gnration analog consoles)

The manual is in English is quite prcis with schmas electronic, and even software to make labels bantam (in old windows ..)

SOUNDS

Not yet had time to test the microphones pramplis, I will post later.
In contrast, trs musical EQ are often relevant (the Q has only two positions), they add a little pousss a grain dplaisant some not
the breath is but it's really far derrire trs, as the dynamics is important, the only problem on the consoles of that age is the life of potentiomtres, AD s 20 years they tend to spit, after a moment the bomb is not enough contact. But all the spices are changeable on these machines!

I takes only 9 because some of its consoles 24bus ge sound better, of course, but hey, not that price l.

OVERALL OPINION

I did that for a month, but I know good dj.
His report is qualitprix INTERESTED trs (but do not buy above 5000 I think), in the sense that any console of the same size (26/24/8/2) analog or numrique in these prices can prtendre better sound, it well above Mackie, Allen & Heath, Yamaha ...

Maintenance:
If you are looking for spares for your Matchless (or other consoles or Amek TAC) go
http://www.audiomaintenance.com
if you are looking fader caps
https://www.canford.co.uk