Comprable alternatives to Argosy consoles?

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Music Afficionado
Member Since: Aug 12, 2008

(Wasnt quite sure where to post this, but figured since it will house recording equipment it could go here)

I love the way the Argosy consoles look and feel in terms of comfort, hiding numerous cables, the positioning of outboard equipment, etc. but is there anything else out there comprable in these regards that is cheaper?

I've seen on some sites that folks make their own (some do a great job of it) but know I dont have the time or level of carpentry skills that I would want...

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MASSIVE Mastering, LLC
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2008


Aug 18, 2009 06:56 pm

I can think of a few that are considerably more expensive, but Argosy is actually quite cheap for what they offer (EDIT) if you're trying to house a particular console (/EDIT)...

Are you trying to house a particular console, or just looking for a nice "production station" type desk? If the latter, there are dozens. Not as flexible and wonderful as the Argosy & Sterling stuff, but not too shabby.

Problem is that too many of them are made for post - Speaker "wings" and such that are never positioned properly, built for corners, etc. But there are some that are pretty decent...

Music Afficionado
Member
Since: Aug 12, 2008


Aug 19, 2009 09:39 am

I am looking to upgrade to a digital board and "think' I have settled on the TASCAM DM-3200 because:
- I want a console/mixer/audio interface all in one.
- Seems to be what I want and need now (functionality and dimensions wise) but also what would allow me room to grow where I want. I mainly record vocals right now and some on-off instruments (elec & accoustic guit, bass, congas, etc.) but would love to graduate to recording full bands at some point down the line. I looked at the M-Audio Project Mix and the Tascam 1884 but just feel that I will outgrow them.
- I run primarily Digital Performer (and know it works well with that system) but will undoutedly use different DAWs. I am a computer guy 9 to 5 so I am committed to a DAW - its how I learned. I wouldnt feel comfortable learning a new system that is internal to some of the other boards out there.
- Mainly though, I want to mix outside of the box and get away from using a mouse as much as I do now. My current layout is not condusive to mixing very well so centralizing my mixer, and outboard gear on an argosy type console would allow me to tweak and hear things real time. Right now I am forced to make an adjustment then scoot 6 feet accross the floor (in some cases) to hear the real result. Adding an argosy console and digital board would allow me to be in the right path of the monitors - something I have learned on here and from you that is extermely important.
-Another huge selling point for me is that a local studio here runs almost an indetical setup so my learning curve would be significantly decreased and for troubleshooting, I wouldnt always have to deal with TASCAM support which I understand from forums is terrible.

The Argosy 70 series for the 3200 is a perfect fit for my studio size-wise and would help my layout immensely.

As for the board, I currently run all of my vocals through a Focusrite voicemaster Platinum so I wouldnt be relying on the pres on the 3200 (unless I was told differently).

I would appreciate any insight you may have on the 3200 or any other similar boards. The Yamahas look great but are a bit out of my price range and I dont know anyone locally that has one. Being able to call someone I know at 1AM on a Tuesday to ask a question is a huge plus for me.

Thanks man...


MASSIVE Mastering, LLC
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2008


Aug 19, 2009 01:35 pm

Quote:
As for the board, I currently run all of my vocals through a Focusrite voicemaster Platinum so I wouldnt be relying on the pres on the 3200 (unless I was told differently).


Generally, I tend to find that most outboard preamps are much better than most built-in "budget-friendly" console preamps.

Not in the case of the VM... Try the console preamps. You might be shocked.

(Sorry - I don't mean to sound like a Focusrite basher - I really loved most of their old stuff. Once they came out with the "cheap" series, Geez - Even the nice stuff didn't sound good anymore. And the Penta/Platinum stuff - I can't even believe they put their otherwise decent name on that stuff. Nothing but bad experiences with all of it. And don't get me started on the PreSonus "Eureka...")

Music Afficionado
Member
Since: Aug 12, 2008


Aug 19, 2009 03:41 pm

Wow - I[ve always been pleased with the end result as have the musicians I work with. I guess I'll look forward to trying the pres on the 3200 even more now. If nothing else, it would help to make some money selling the Focusrite.

Any other insight on the board itself?

MASSIVE Mastering, LLC
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2008


Aug 19, 2009 05:16 pm

I'm not saying that the preamps on the 3200 are exceptionally good - I just found the preamp section of the VM to be exceptionally "non-exceptional" -- Forget the EQ section (if you want to call it that), dump the dynamics (although I'd imagine the EQ and compressor wouldn't be in use during tracking anyway, so it's probably a moot point).

The thing doesn't outright sound "bad" - But when you put it up against a RNP, a P-Solo, even a DMP3, it falls readily short.

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