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[Scott Bolt]

Good question.

As mentioned above, the beginning of the input, and the end of the output.  Everything in between .... digital.

Also of note here is that circuits and amplifiers for preamps and output drivers are industry standard these days and vary very little from mixer to mixer IMHO.

The differentiation is in the digital processing algorithms.

While I frequently argue that preamps are not golden in a mixer (most are created basically equal these days), processing algorithms really are.

Can you hear the difference between a 3K digital console and a 60K digital console?  You bet.  Is it in the preamps?  I don't think so.

[Stephen Kirby]

Since the power switch is operated by pressing with a finger, it's definitely digital.   

[Erik Jerde]

Well, there's also the analog Littlelite jack for mixers so equipped, but some of them have digital dimming control.

Oh you mean those fancy desks that do both sound AND lights.  Big spender there!

[Steve M Smith]

The bit in the middle.

The input preamps are analogue, then ADC converters digitises the signals.  Some digital magic happens inside, then some DACs convert it back to analogue again at the outputs.

Can you hear the difference between a 3K digital console and a 60K digital console?  You
bet.  Is it in the preamps?  I don't think so.

I try to point out the same thing when people argue about the differences between X32 and M32 preamps. Preamp design isn't rocket science, people have been making good preamps for decades.  If there is a difference, it's not the preamps.


Steve.

[Peter Morris]

Good question.

As mentioned above, the beginning of the input, and the end of the output.  Everything in between .... digital.

Also of note here is that circuits and amplifiers for preamps and output drivers are industry standard these days and vary very little from mixer to mixer IMHO.

The differentiation is in the digital processing algorithms.

While I frequently argue that preamps are not golden in a mixer (most are created basically equal these days), processing algorithms really are.

Can you hear the difference between a 3K digital console and a 60K digital console?  You bet.  Is it in the preamps?  I don't think so.

Exactly .... 

[Robert Lofgren]

Isn’t the power switch a synth due to the contact bounces that act as an ocillator?

Technically the power switch could be considered tri-state since it is neither on nor off when stopped in the middle, ending up in a third undefined state.

Since the power switch is operated by pressing with a finger, it's definitely digital.   

[David Allred]

The bit in the middle.

The input preamps are analogue, then ADC converters digitises the signals.  Some digital magic happens inside, then some DACs convert it back to analogue again at the outputs.

I try to point out the same thing when people argue about the differences between X32 and M32 preamps. Preamp design isn't rocket science, people have been making good preamps for decades.  If there is a difference, it's not the preamps.


Steve.

So all preamps are equal and don't matter?  That doesn't sound right.

[Steve M Smith]

So all preamps are equal and don't matter?  That doesn't sound right.

No.  But just about all of them are more than good enough.


Steve.

[Peter Morris]

No.  But just about all of them are more than good enough.


Steve.

... and the preamp alone is not responsible for the sound of the whole desk ...

FWIW http://www.audiomasterclass.com/newsletter/the-famous-5-preamp-everything-you-need-to-know#article_2

[John Roberts {JR}]

So all preamps are equal and don't matter?  That doesn't sound right.

yeah, they must "sound" different to justify higher cost...   

I have discussed this before. One digital console preamp has incorporated a soft limiter into the digitally controlled mic preamp. So it will sound different (better?) if driven into clipping than a preamp without a limiter. Below clipping it will still sound the same as other preamps.

There are always major differences in human factors engineering. Things like look, feel, control laws, EQ shape, etc, etc etc... Higher price points involve more attention to such design details. 

Just being digital does not eliminate human factors design, while audio path quality on a bench test may measure similarly.

JR 

 

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