morgan786 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Hey I know most of the post's in here are about training, but I'm looking for information. Does anyone know who invented analogue desks as we know them? Really struggling to find information on the history of both analogue and digital mixing desks for a paper I'm writing. PLEASE HELP!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 What sort of analogue desk? Lights, sound.....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 @Brian: He mentions mixing so I'm presuming sound related ... I may be a little curmedgeonly in my answer but have you tried reading any books on theatre sound - and then cross referencing with other titles in the bibliography? Or even :( , Dogpile, Ask, Teoma, Wikipedia, search engine of choice with the terms that you list? Try variations on words if you have:console, mixer, desk, board and so on. Try not using analogue; it's a recent term that only was used once there was a digital system for it to be different too. Also remember that analogue can also be spelt as 'analog'. Contact manufacturers and associations? Try the question on the Theatre-Sound Mailing List? If you have tried all these resources already then my apologises. Honestly, we'll help with specific questions (for example, did DDA precede Soundcraft?) but otherwise general 'please do my research for me' requests don't read too well. Of course, this is the point that the next poster says that they did their thesis on the history of the mixer and shoots me down in flames :) After all that, keep us informed. It's something I'd be interested to know what you find. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 @TeeJay - whoops, I missed the word 'mixing' so you may be right about the OP wanting to know about audio (although the last time I was in a concrete mixing plant the controls looked very analgoue). Anyhow, back to the question, analogue audio mixers weren't invented. What we have now is an evolution of ideas going back many years. For example, I have photos taken inside Broadcasting House in 1931 which show what are called 'Fader Units' but whose design is clearly that of a free standing control surface for adjusting audio levels. The controls were at that time rotary but by any definition it's what we today would call an audio mixer. If you can track down a copy of a book called 'Rock Hardware' ISBN 1-871547-35-0 there is a chapter about the history of live sound pa systems. Mixers such as the WEM Audiomaster from 1967 might be considered by some to be the first purpose designed live sound mixer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Mixers such as the WEM Audiomaster from 1967 might be considered by some to be the first purpose designed live sound mixer. Have a look at Charlie Watkins' (of WEM - Watkins Electronic Music) history page on http://www.wemwatkins.co.uk/history.htm He's a bit of a character, is Charlie... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan786 Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 sorry yes I (she) meant mixing consoles for sound. Don't need to go as far back as the first ever, just need to know when they appeared mainstream in the theatre as we know them now. (I/O, a bit of Eq, a fader and a pan pot!) Have tried every variation of what I'm looking for on a variety a search engines and get very little back that's relevant. Have written to most desk manufacturers and the replies I did receive were great if I was looking to buy one of their latest range! Believe me I would never ask or expect anyone to do my research for me I just began to run out of idea's and as questioning other professionals is a valid research form I turned to you guys. Thank you very much for the idea's so far, I will have a look asap and if you come across anything in the next few weeks please add it here. Just a name of the company or person who developed the idea would be wonderful. Many Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 you mention pan pot? Don't forget that mixing happened in the theatre long before they invented stereo. My theatre dating back to the fifties still has the old 4 channel mixer sitting in the disused stage perch, near the old lighting control. A mixer and separate amplifier, all valve, all huge big rotary faders. A grams input, and three mic inputs (from memory) including one that popped up out of the stage floor on a motorised lift - boarded over, but still there too (even works, apart from a broken chain) How old do you want to go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicktaylor Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 It might be worth posting this question on the Tabs email forum run by Ian Grey. It specialises in old theatre and equipment so they might be able to help. tabslist@yahoogroups.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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