Great mixer with "classic British EQ", super-quiet mic preamps. Available in several configurations based on 16, 24 or 32 channel frames. There were at least three difference channel strip modules - mono with sweepable-mid eq, mono with 4-band fixed eq, and a stereo module.
Designed as a live or 8-track recording board. Returns were available as either 8 mono "tape returns" or 4 stereo effects returns.
Also available as the 200BVE, a special version for use with Sony BVE-900-series editors which allowed complete mix automation, in groups of 8 channels via VCA control boards which were inserted between the inputs and the channel strips.
In use, the boards are reasonably flexible. Inputs can be routed to any of 4 submix groups and/or the main LR mix output. The channel can also be muted completely, including pre. Each channel has its own 48V phantom power switch, as well as a channel insert. The insert is taken post EQ. The four aux sends are, by default, set with aux 1 and 2 as post EQ, pre fader. Aux 3 and 4 are set post EQ, post fader. Jumpers on the channel strips allow changing this configuration on a per-channel basis. Aux outputs are on 1/4 TRS connectors.
Group and master outputs are on XLR connectors, and the master LR outputs include a pre-fader insert point -- the ideal point to insert master EQ and compression.
In the default configuration, there are 8 mono "tape returns." These inputs can be routed to aux 1 for monitoring purposes in a studio configuration. They can also be routed to the main mix, and panned left or right. "Tape return" inputs 1-4 can alternately be routed to the associated sub-mixes instead of the LR main mix. In my opinion, this is one of the few shortcomings of the board -- I would prefer to be able to send the returns to Aux bux 1 and 2 instead of just Aux 1.
The master section also includes 4 analog VU meters, which monitor the 4 sub mixes. The meters for sub mix 3 and 4 can be switched to monitor the main LR mix. Also in the master section is a 1kHz tone generator and a talkback mic. There is no input for an external talkback mic. Talkback may be routed to aux 1 and 2 only; or to aux 1 and 2, groups 1-4 and the main LR mix. Lastly, there is a 2-track tape return.
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