Classic 1971 Quad Eight 2082 Recording Console API Neve Helios

Up for sale is a rare fully restored 1971 Quad Eight 2082 recording console. This is the same model Quad Eight used at Village Recorders for Steely Dan's "Countdown to Ecstacy" and for countless hits at Jack Clement Recording Studio in Nashville. In the early 1970's with a Quad Eight 2082 console installed, Jack Clement Recording studio booked 1,200 sessions per year and averaged 10 charting records per week. Other well known early 1970's installations of Quad Eight consoles include Motown West, Sound Labs, A&M Records, Capitol Records, MGM, Record Plant (Hollywood), United Artists, United Sound Recorders, Creative Workshop, Sound Factory West, Watermark Studios, Smokey Robinson's personal studio, the Beach Boys personal studio, Neil Young's personal studio, and Wally Heider Recording Studios (San Francisco). Contrary to hype and popular belief, it was Quad Eight and Electrodyne that dominated the charts (and studio installations) in the US in the early 1970's - not Neve or API. 

This 1971 Quad Eight 2082 was originally installed in the Eastern Washington University film department and came stock fully loaded with 20 MM71 input modules, 6 AM2B compressors and 20 outputs (8 buss outputs, 12 direct outputs on channels 9-20, and a stereo mix output). Each input module has up to 4 assignable echo sends fed by one pot on the MM71 modules. All the MM71 input modules feature great sounding transformer balanced preamps, and an excellent 2 band inductor based EQ. The console comes pre-wired for a main stereo output, stereo monitor output, and a 2 track input that can be routed to the stereo monitor output. Half of the MM71 input modules feature the early square Bournes manufactured Quad Eight QEE-3060 mic input transformer, and the other half feature the later QEE-3440 mic input transformer - allowing you to choose between the more colored QEE-3060 or the cleaner, more modern sounding QEE-3440. All the line inputs are balanced via UTC input transformers. All the line and buss outputs are via QEE 3041 output transformers.

1971 Quad Eight 2082 Recording Console
20 - MM71 discrete transformer balanced mic/line input modules
6 - AM2B discrete opto compressor/limiter modules with an external de-esser control panel
8 - Buss outputs via discrete LA24 transformer balanced output amplifiers
12 - Direct outs (QEE 3041 output transformers)
1 - Stereo Output  (QEE 3041 output transformers)
1 - Studio Monitor Output
4 - echo sends/returns
Fully integrated TT patchbay
16 channel monitor section

This console has been subject to extensive restoration over several months:
-The console frame, module faceplates were intensively cleaned over several days.
-All the electrolytic capacitors were professionally replaced with high quality parts taking care not to lift pads or damage the fragile PCB's in any way.
-After recapping each module was tested for frequency response/THD/noise/phase with Audio Precision test equipment
-Every switch and potentiometer cleaned and lubricated.
-All new I/O wiring (DB25 snakes with milspec connectors for the line level I/O and Switchcraft XLR inputs for the mic level inputs on channels 1-16). All the wiring was then tested with my test equipment for polarity and faults. 
-All the cheap replacement Duncan conductive plastic faders were removed and replaced with high-quality wirewound Gliss faders (only the very early QE consoles typically had Gliss faders installed - and in my opinion these are the nicest faders ever made)
-Replaced all faulty modules and bad AM-4 opamps with NOS or original Quad Eight replacement parts
-All VU lamps on the meterbridge replaced with LED lighting
-Quad Eight PK14 digital peak meters installed for the stereo buss
-Rare red machined aluminum "Rolo" knobs installed on all input modules. Please note the pictured numbered knobs are not included - the console comes, as it did from the factory, with the set of red machined aluminum knobs without the engraved channel numbers.
-NOS Altec wirewound fader installed for the stereo buss output and the two CN28 summing amplifiers on the stereo buss hand selected and matched for gain.
-After all the restoration work was completed the console was extensively used and tested on a variety of sessions to make sure everything was ready for a long term installation. 

As with any vintage console some issues remain:
-10 (out of 160) buss assign switches do not latch. Two of the channel on/off switches have been fixed in the ON position. These switches are on a large multi-switch assembly above the input modules and unfortunately they can not be individually replaced unless the whole multi-switch assembly for each channel is removed and replaced.
-Three echo assign caps are missing (the switches still work - just the small black caps are missing).
-The 16 input monitor section functions correctly but is currently not in use - this can be wired up for using the console as a split console, or the monitor section can be easily modified to give you another 16 line inputs for mixdown.
-Cue/Talkback functionality works as expected. The solo button assigns the solo output to a solo buss output, and does not mute all the channels coming out of the stereo monitor output. The "BOOTH" output is at the terminal blocks on the back of the console, but is not currently wired to the DB25 snakes.
-There is some damage to the wood grain formica at the base of the console (see photo #13), but the sides and top are in good condition with only minor blemishes consistent with the age of the console.

Please message me with any questions about the console you might have. The embedded Soundcloud track was mixed through this console. Freight shipping is possible, but local pickup is always recommended so you can see the console in use prior to shipping. If installation assistance is needed please contact me for a quote. Due to the nature of vintage electronics no warranty is possible - but unlike many sellers of vintage audio equipment I take pride in my work and thoroughly test and accurately describe everything that I sell.

Thank you!