From: chrisc@gold.gvg.tek.com (Chris Christensen)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.pro,rec.music.makers
Subject: Rack Mount Mixer Information
Keywords: Allen and Heath, Scepter,cool...
Date: 16 Apr 92 22:30:23 GMT
Followup-To: poster
Organization: Grass Valley Group, Grass Valley, CA

I have rec'd several request to summarize my search for a good rack
mount mixer.  I looked at the Alesis, Mackie, DOD and settled on the
Allen and Heath Scepter.  This posting isn't a summary, it's a
description of then Allen and Heath.

The task of summarizing the features is up to you.  It is too big of a
task to do it right. 

BTW The Scepter costs WAY more than any of the other mixers that I looked
at,  I believe that the performance, reliablity, features and operational feel
is well worth the price.

(Please read disclamer at the end of the file....)
************************************************************************
Allen and Heath Scepter, rack mount audio mixer. List $2700 USD
Allen and Heath is a UD company but this mixer was built in the USA.

12x2x1 configuration.
   (controls/features listed as they appear on the panel, top down)
Trim control. Range +18 to +66dB mic, -4 to +43dB line.
Mic/line switchable (XLR and TRS 1/4' phone)
Input Pad, 16 dB atten for Mic and Line (actually switches gain of input amp).
4-Aux sends.  Internally, solderless jumper, selectable (pre/post)
3 band, mid sweepable, EQ.
	HF@ 10 kHz +/- 16 dB.
	MF=250-6kHz +/- 12 dB
	LF=120/60 (switchable) +/- 16 dB
120.60 Hz LF shelving point switch.
EQ in/out switch.
80 Hz high pass filter switch.
PAN control (this control is a buffered pan)
Mute switch
PFL switch
Peak and signal led's. "Peak" is 3 db below channel clip and "signal" is
@-30 dB.

The fader is a 100MM very smooth control.  The range is infinity, -40
to +10.  The +10 dB of gain is provided by the fader amp that is
located after the fader.  This means that the gain on the fader
doesn't cause more noise.

Description:

All internal jumpers are of the sulderless type!

The Mic/line preamp is discrete transistors and an opamp.

The EQ is straight forwarded and not exotic (cascades design).  The HF 
and LF section is first and the sweepable mid section is next (the HPF 
IS located just after the preamp and just before the EQ stages,
good place for it).

Each channel is fitted with a direct out that is jumper selectable
between pre EQ, post EQ and post fader.

The insert in each channel is post preamp pre EQ.

The mixer has a master Phantom Power switch as well as individual
channel "enable's"

The left/right masters have pre fade patch points.

The MONO out is jumper selectable to be pre L/R faders or post L/R
faders.  The Mono output has it's own level control and mute switch.

RETURNS.  The scepter has 4 pannable mono returns and two stereo
w/balance control returns.  All of the returns have PFL and the stereo
returns have mute switches.  The stereo returns also have the ability
to send a mono copy of it's signal to the Aux A and Aux B busses.

The mixer has an additional stereo out.  This signal can be selected
pre main L/R fader or posr main L/R fader.  This feature has it's own
level control and mute switch.

The monitoring is simple.  Headphone signal and additional stereo
monitor amp jack is fed from a common level control who's source is
switch selectable.  All switches up= Main Stereo out.  Switch
selections for all 4 aux and the mono out are included.  Any PFL
switch overrides the normal selection.  The meters follow the switch
selections.

The mic inputs, Main left/right and mono outputs are elctronically
balanced and on XLR type connectors.  All others are 1/4" phone
jacks.

The XLR output jacks have a pin 1 lift switch.

TRS connections for insert as well as for stereo send and returns are
used.

All I/O connectors are located on the "bottom" of the mixer.

The mixer has a remote, rack mountable power supply.

The mixer comes with an instruction manual that describes it's
features and has schematics...

I am in no way affiliated with Allen and Heath, it's representatives or
any music/sound store.  I have nothing to gain if you like what you
read and go as far as to buy one.  I am just a happy owner......

Allen and Heath is marketed in the U.S. by DOD electronics and
represented by various independent REP's.
-- 
Chris Christensen                  The opinions I express are my own,
chrisc@gold.gvg.tek.com            and sometimes they are wrong!
916-478-3419 FAX 916-478-3887      After all, I AM only human.