pazman6
Senior Stratmaster
Update - Lowering the price and selling with a single power supply. I did go through and check out every channel - all work with a few cosmetic issues listed below.
I put my 1990's Soundtracs Topaz 32x8x2 analog mixer up for sale on Sweetwater - also listing it here. Great mid-size mixer. 64 inputs, 32 faders, 32 mic pres, 32 direct outs. I used it to run 24 channels into my DAW via 2 Echo Audiofire12 interfaces and then come back out of the DAW into the same 24 channels (via the monitor inputs and flip switch) to do analog mixing - basically makes your DAW a hard disk recorder. Local pickup only - come test drive it if interested.
Soundtracs Topaz 32x8x2 in-line mixer with meter bridge used in my non-smoking home studio. I purchased it used from a Church in New Orleans ~2013. I last used it to record in 2018.
I went through each channel on 12/2/2022 and found the items below:
-The left side piece is loose – 1 screw came out and you have to open the mixer to replace it. - cosmetic only.
-The left VU meter light bulb is burned out. Meter functions properly.
-Missing 3 plastic nuts on ¼ inch jacks on rear. Channel 1, 3, and 16 Tape Out
-Channel 17 has an issue with the LEDs - when you press the solo on the main fader the LED does not come on and turns off the Mute LED for the main fader and both LEDs on Mute and Solo for the second channel input. The Channel itself and switches function properly – only the LEDs have a problem.
- Channel 20 and 23 had some intermittent noise/squeal when the EQ was engaged and changed/went away when EQ knobs were turned, so likely needs some DeOxit and exercise.
The sale includes the Mixer, Meter Bridge, and 1 power supply.
There is some scratchiness on some channels when turning knobs and needs a good cleaning and everything to be exercised - overall decent condition for a 30 year old analog mixer.
I will not ship - local pickup only Prairieville LA.
Because of its age, this item is being sold "as-is" and can be tested prior to purchase. Email me at [email protected] to arrange an inspection.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Topaz 32x8x2 is an analog 8-bus mixer designed for multitrack recording with 32-channels (64-inputs). Because it's an in-line design, the Topaz has two inputs (Channel and Monitor) for each channel strip. Generally, the Channel is used for recording live tracks during tracking and overdubbing and for tape tracks during mixdown. The Monitor can be used to monitor previously recorded tape tracks (or virtual MIDI/workstation tracks) during tracking/overdubbing and for sending any other line input source to the 2-track bus during mixdown.
I ran 24 direct outs to my DAW and 24 returns from my DAW back to the Monitor input. By pressing the "Flip" switch on a channel you can route the DAW returns to the main fader and EQ on the channel for mixing.
CHANNEL INPUTS
Starting from the top of the input channel, the Topaz has a scribble strip and switches for phase reverse, phantom power, flip and bus (more on flip and bus later). The gain pot has a 10dB to 60dB range for mic and a -20dB to 30dB range for line-level signals.
The channel EQ section has a high-shelving band at 12 kHz, low-shelving at 80 Hz, and two swept-mid EQs. MF1 EQ is sweepable from 350 to 8k Hz, and the MF2 EQ is sweepable from 50 to 1k Hz. All EQ has a +/-15dB range and a center detent. EQ bypass switches are provided. A dedicated 2-band EQ devoted to the Monitor input consists of high-/low-shelving EQs (80 and 12k Hz), both with a +/-15 dB range.
The aux section uses a four-of-six arrangement, meaning that there are six aux send outputs, but only four can be used on a channel at a time. Aux 1 is a pre-fader channel send, and Aux 2 is a pre-fader monitor send; unfortunately, these cannot be switched for post-fader use. Auxes 3 and 4 are post-fader sends and can be switched for use with either the Channel or Monitor input. Switches allow routing Aux 3 to the Aux 5 output and Aux 4 to the Aux 6 output.
Each channel's monitor section also has a level pot, center detented panpot for the monitor, as well as illuminated monitor solo and mute switches. Finally, there is a center detented panpot and illuminated solo and mute switches for the Channel input. Beneath that are five channel assignment switches, one for the L-R bus and four for assignment to the eight buses in odd/even pairs. Also standard is a 100mm long-throw fader and a peak LED, which illuminates about 5 dB before clipping.
GROUP AND MASTER SECTIONS
The Topaz has four stereo effects returns, each with a level pot and center detented balance pot, buttons for assignment to its local group and the L/R bus, and an illuminated PFL (Pre-Fader Listen or Solo) button. The local group assignment means that FX1 can only be assigned to Groups 1-2; FX2 to Groups 3-4; FX3 to Groups 5-6; and FX4 to Groups 7-8.
The eight group buses have long-throw faders; above each is an illuminated AFL button and separate Left/Right assign buttons. Pressing both assigns the group output to the L/R mix bus.
The six Aux masters have level pots and illuminated AFL buttons. The master Solo section has a rotary level pot and LED that lights when any solo button on the board is pressed. There is a master monitor mix section with a rotary level pot and a Merge button. Using the separate Monitor L/R outputs, the monitor mix section can function as a completely independent 24x2 or 32x2 submixer. Pressing the monitor mix Merge button doubles the available number of channel inputs by sending the monitor mix to the main L/R outputs.
The studio monitoring section allows monitoring of the main mix, monitor mix, control room source, Aux 1 and Aux 2. The control room section consists of a rotary level pot and buttons to monitor the main mix, monitor mix, Tape A and Tape B. A mono switch provides a quick check for mono compatibility and phase problems, and a speaker A/B switch lets you to switch between two sets of control room monitors. The headphone jack carries the same signal as the control room.
There is a talkback section but no built-in talkback mic. You have to supply your own gooseneck and mic. The section consists of an XLR mic jack, rotary level control and buttons for assignment to the studio, groups, Aux 1 and Aux 2.
The L/R master outputs are controlled by two 100mm long-throw faders. Three LEDs indicate the status of the power supply rails. Levels for the tape inputs and outputs can be internally switched between +4 and -10. There are ten LED meters for the eight groups and the L/R bus. The L/R meters also show solo levels. Each meter has ten segments and is calibrated from -21 dB to +6 dB, in 3dB increments.
CONNECTIONS
All of the jacks, except for headphone and talkback, are located on the back of the mixer. The mic inputs are XLRs; all others are 1/4-inch phone jacks. Inserts are TRS, requiring Y-cables for sends and returns.
Each channel has five jacks: mic, line, insert, monitor/tape in and tape out. There are separate mic and line input jacks, but as there is no mic/line switching, only one source should be plugged into these jacks for each channel. Whatever is plugged into the mic or line jacks is by default routed to the channel input. The insert jack (post-EQ) allows you to process each channel individually. The monitor/tape in jack is routed by default to the monitor input section on the channel strip. You will normally connect your tape returns here, but you can connect any other line-level source. Pressing the Flip button reverses the channel and monitor assignments. Whatever is connected to the mic or line inputs will now be routed to the monitor section, and whatever is plugged into the monitor/tape inputs will now be routed to the channel section.
Project 8 employs an elegant floating-bus scheme, which allows you to record using direct outputs or the group bus, without repatching. The tape out jacks connect to your tape inputs and serve double duty as both direct outs and group bus outs. These work in conjunction with the bus switches on the channel strip. When the bus switch for a channel is not depressed, that channel's tape out jack functions as a direct out.
In addition to the floating-bus scheme, Project 8 has eight dedicated Group Out jacks. The rest of the back panel contains eight TRS insert jacks for the groups, Aux 1-6 output jacks, four TRS stereo effects return jacks, control room A and B L/R jacks, studio L/R jacks, main L/R jacks, main L/R TRS inserts, monitor mix L/R jacks, 2-track A and 2-track B L/R input jacks, and connections for the outboard power supply, optional meter bridge and automation. Although non-rackmountable, the power supply's convection cooling does not require a fan and provides silent operation.
I put my 1990's Soundtracs Topaz 32x8x2 analog mixer up for sale on Sweetwater - also listing it here. Great mid-size mixer. 64 inputs, 32 faders, 32 mic pres, 32 direct outs. I used it to run 24 channels into my DAW via 2 Echo Audiofire12 interfaces and then come back out of the DAW into the same 24 channels (via the monitor inputs and flip switch) to do analog mixing - basically makes your DAW a hard disk recorder. Local pickup only - come test drive it if interested.
Soundtracs Topaz 32x8x2 in-line mixer with meter bridge used in my non-smoking home studio. I purchased it used from a Church in New Orleans ~2013. I last used it to record in 2018.
I went through each channel on 12/2/2022 and found the items below:
-The left side piece is loose – 1 screw came out and you have to open the mixer to replace it. - cosmetic only.
-The left VU meter light bulb is burned out. Meter functions properly.
-Missing 3 plastic nuts on ¼ inch jacks on rear. Channel 1, 3, and 16 Tape Out
-Channel 17 has an issue with the LEDs - when you press the solo on the main fader the LED does not come on and turns off the Mute LED for the main fader and both LEDs on Mute and Solo for the second channel input. The Channel itself and switches function properly – only the LEDs have a problem.
- Channel 20 and 23 had some intermittent noise/squeal when the EQ was engaged and changed/went away when EQ knobs were turned, so likely needs some DeOxit and exercise.
The sale includes the Mixer, Meter Bridge, and 1 power supply.
There is some scratchiness on some channels when turning knobs and needs a good cleaning and everything to be exercised - overall decent condition for a 30 year old analog mixer.
I will not ship - local pickup only Prairieville LA.
Because of its age, this item is being sold "as-is" and can be tested prior to purchase. Email me at [email protected] to arrange an inspection.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Topaz 32x8x2 is an analog 8-bus mixer designed for multitrack recording with 32-channels (64-inputs). Because it's an in-line design, the Topaz has two inputs (Channel and Monitor) for each channel strip. Generally, the Channel is used for recording live tracks during tracking and overdubbing and for tape tracks during mixdown. The Monitor can be used to monitor previously recorded tape tracks (or virtual MIDI/workstation tracks) during tracking/overdubbing and for sending any other line input source to the 2-track bus during mixdown.
I ran 24 direct outs to my DAW and 24 returns from my DAW back to the Monitor input. By pressing the "Flip" switch on a channel you can route the DAW returns to the main fader and EQ on the channel for mixing.
CHANNEL INPUTS
Starting from the top of the input channel, the Topaz has a scribble strip and switches for phase reverse, phantom power, flip and bus (more on flip and bus later). The gain pot has a 10dB to 60dB range for mic and a -20dB to 30dB range for line-level signals.
The channel EQ section has a high-shelving band at 12 kHz, low-shelving at 80 Hz, and two swept-mid EQs. MF1 EQ is sweepable from 350 to 8k Hz, and the MF2 EQ is sweepable from 50 to 1k Hz. All EQ has a +/-15dB range and a center detent. EQ bypass switches are provided. A dedicated 2-band EQ devoted to the Monitor input consists of high-/low-shelving EQs (80 and 12k Hz), both with a +/-15 dB range.
The aux section uses a four-of-six arrangement, meaning that there are six aux send outputs, but only four can be used on a channel at a time. Aux 1 is a pre-fader channel send, and Aux 2 is a pre-fader monitor send; unfortunately, these cannot be switched for post-fader use. Auxes 3 and 4 are post-fader sends and can be switched for use with either the Channel or Monitor input. Switches allow routing Aux 3 to the Aux 5 output and Aux 4 to the Aux 6 output.
Each channel's monitor section also has a level pot, center detented panpot for the monitor, as well as illuminated monitor solo and mute switches. Finally, there is a center detented panpot and illuminated solo and mute switches for the Channel input. Beneath that are five channel assignment switches, one for the L-R bus and four for assignment to the eight buses in odd/even pairs. Also standard is a 100mm long-throw fader and a peak LED, which illuminates about 5 dB before clipping.
GROUP AND MASTER SECTIONS
The Topaz has four stereo effects returns, each with a level pot and center detented balance pot, buttons for assignment to its local group and the L/R bus, and an illuminated PFL (Pre-Fader Listen or Solo) button. The local group assignment means that FX1 can only be assigned to Groups 1-2; FX2 to Groups 3-4; FX3 to Groups 5-6; and FX4 to Groups 7-8.
The eight group buses have long-throw faders; above each is an illuminated AFL button and separate Left/Right assign buttons. Pressing both assigns the group output to the L/R mix bus.
The six Aux masters have level pots and illuminated AFL buttons. The master Solo section has a rotary level pot and LED that lights when any solo button on the board is pressed. There is a master monitor mix section with a rotary level pot and a Merge button. Using the separate Monitor L/R outputs, the monitor mix section can function as a completely independent 24x2 or 32x2 submixer. Pressing the monitor mix Merge button doubles the available number of channel inputs by sending the monitor mix to the main L/R outputs.
The studio monitoring section allows monitoring of the main mix, monitor mix, control room source, Aux 1 and Aux 2. The control room section consists of a rotary level pot and buttons to monitor the main mix, monitor mix, Tape A and Tape B. A mono switch provides a quick check for mono compatibility and phase problems, and a speaker A/B switch lets you to switch between two sets of control room monitors. The headphone jack carries the same signal as the control room.
There is a talkback section but no built-in talkback mic. You have to supply your own gooseneck and mic. The section consists of an XLR mic jack, rotary level control and buttons for assignment to the studio, groups, Aux 1 and Aux 2.
The L/R master outputs are controlled by two 100mm long-throw faders. Three LEDs indicate the status of the power supply rails. Levels for the tape inputs and outputs can be internally switched between +4 and -10. There are ten LED meters for the eight groups and the L/R bus. The L/R meters also show solo levels. Each meter has ten segments and is calibrated from -21 dB to +6 dB, in 3dB increments.
CONNECTIONS
All of the jacks, except for headphone and talkback, are located on the back of the mixer. The mic inputs are XLRs; all others are 1/4-inch phone jacks. Inserts are TRS, requiring Y-cables for sends and returns.
Each channel has five jacks: mic, line, insert, monitor/tape in and tape out. There are separate mic and line input jacks, but as there is no mic/line switching, only one source should be plugged into these jacks for each channel. Whatever is plugged into the mic or line jacks is by default routed to the channel input. The insert jack (post-EQ) allows you to process each channel individually. The monitor/tape in jack is routed by default to the monitor input section on the channel strip. You will normally connect your tape returns here, but you can connect any other line-level source. Pressing the Flip button reverses the channel and monitor assignments. Whatever is connected to the mic or line inputs will now be routed to the monitor section, and whatever is plugged into the monitor/tape inputs will now be routed to the channel section.
Project 8 employs an elegant floating-bus scheme, which allows you to record using direct outputs or the group bus, without repatching. The tape out jacks connect to your tape inputs and serve double duty as both direct outs and group bus outs. These work in conjunction with the bus switches on the channel strip. When the bus switch for a channel is not depressed, that channel's tape out jack functions as a direct out.
In addition to the floating-bus scheme, Project 8 has eight dedicated Group Out jacks. The rest of the back panel contains eight TRS insert jacks for the groups, Aux 1-6 output jacks, four TRS stereo effects return jacks, control room A and B L/R jacks, studio L/R jacks, main L/R jacks, main L/R TRS inserts, monitor mix L/R jacks, 2-track A and 2-track B L/R input jacks, and connections for the outboard power supply, optional meter bridge and automation. Although non-rackmountable, the power supply's convection cooling does not require a fan and provides silent operation.
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