Soundcraft Ghost 32 - Full CAL Mod with Inward Connections VF600 Discrete Transformer Stereo Buss

NOTE: As of 1/28/20, price will not be reduced from $7,998. I’d rather keep it for my future children than go lower than this. It’s a very good console and a steal at this price point. Thank you.

You are looking at a used Soundcraft Ghost 32 with the full CAL (Creation Audio Labs) modification as well as a custom-made discrete stereo buss made with Inward Connections VF600 opamps and Cinemag transformers.  Yes, that's right, this Soundcraft Ghost has a discrete, transformer-balanced output section!  The console connects to the discrete stereo buss (which is outboard) via an umbilical connection.

The CAL modification hot-rods this console with premium internal components (capacitors, et cetera) and increases the overall frequency response, lowers the noisefloor, and increases the clarity of the sound.  This modification alone costs about $6,300.  The mod has been completed for the entire console!  But, we took it even further and added a discrete stereo mixbuss...

The custom-made discrete stereo buss, a.k.a. the "Boy Box," is an outboard, 2 RU unit and was designed by Steve Firlotte of Inward Connections and was assembled by Todd Wilson of Portland Pro Audio.  The chassis for the stereo bus was custom-fabricated (as per our instructions) in Italy.  What can I tell you about this custom stereo buss?  Instead of a transformerless, IC output with TRS outputs, you get a transformer-balanced, discrete output with XLR outputs.  (It uses world-renowned Cinemag transformers, specifically chosen by Steve Firlotte.)  It comes with an excellent Dorrough meter with peak-hold functionality as well as the ability to trim the buss inputs and the overall output.  (Dorrough meters are very useful because they show digital peaks but they also are a VU meter, simultaneously.)  The Boy Box also has balanced insert sends and returns, which the Soundcraft does NOT have stock.  This custom summing box brings the console to a new level of professionalism and low-noise operation.  The noise floor on this unit is very low (and remarkably stable) thanks to the amazing design by Todd Wilson.

How does the console operate?  Wonderfully.  It has a computer in the center section for mute automation (very useful for those of you recording on tape) which I used extensively on my last record to keep the noise floor down at all times from my multitrack.  I just had my technician take a look at the console and fix one of the busses that wasn't functioning properly.  It works great now.  If you are looking to integrate this console with an existing patchbay, keep in mind this console uses TRS outputs (instead of XLR).  Also, the individual channel inserts are unbalanced and you must use reverse-wired insert cables (because it's British and they sometimes wire pin 3 hot).  I personally didn't use individual channel inserts very often, but The Boy Box of course has balanced inserts via XLR for using an insert on the master buss.

How does it sound?  Very good.  This is not your typical Soundcraft Ghost...this is another beast entirely, between the CAL mod and the discrete stereo buss.  If you want to hear an example of a song mixed on this console, please watch the YouTube link.  This song is called "Feastwine" and it was recorded on tape, mixed on this console, and mixed onto half-inch tape and then mastered by Ted Jensen of Sterling Sound.  (Note: it was not recorded on the Ghost, but mixed on the Ghost.)

At under $10,000, this is a very good deal. (Keep in mind that, for this Ghost, the CAL mod, alone, costs $6.3k and that our custom summing buss cost something like $5k-$7k if I had to take a guess...not to mention the price of the console itself.) You could say, therefore, that the console would be worth something like $15k if you were to do all of these mods on your own, if the price of a good-condition stock console were, say, $3k.

I mixed an amazing-sounding record on this console, my new album, PENGE, out now on Spotify and Apple Music.

The reason I'm selling the Ghost is because we have upgraded to a 32-channel, fully-automated API 1608, which is a top-tier console (costs about $115,000 new).

The power supply has also been recapped and tuned for optimal performance with the Boy Box.  I've put thousands of dollars into this console...it's the best-sounding Ghost in the world, I would wager!

I will ship it very carefully, so bid with confidence.  I don't mess around with this stuff.  I will make sure you get your console safely.

I will accept returns within the first 5 business days of receipt if something goes wrong in shipping.  Thanks!

NOTE: API 2500 compressor is not included in this sale.  Thank you.