D&R Orion 1994-1997 - Gray

This is a long description, but necessary to give you the full picture of this console. Please note this is a relisting as of 8/17/26 as I had listed it about 6 mos ago and took it down shortly after, while I was deciding what to do with it.

This is a 1990’s (probably 1994 to 1997 production) D&R Orion large format recording console. it has been a labor of love to upgrade this desk and it is a huge understatement to say that I will greatly miss it. I bought this from Paul Westbrook 15 years ago. Paul was the last remaining D&R representative in the US at the time I bought it. He picked it up from a broadcast studio in Minneapolis where it had been stored in a back room for many years.

When I bought it, all the electronic components and parts were original. Over the last 8 years, Ralph Skelton from Pacific Innovative Electronics (an expert technician on D&R consoles, among others) modded the entire board. This included:

-Rebuilding and upgrading the power supply from top to bottom.

- Replacing all capacitors, which includes both power decoupling and signal path capacitors, IC chips (where necessary) and ensuring the soundness of all electrical pathways and solder connections. This was done on every one of the 24 main I/O modules, the master module, and all stereo effect returns modules. This wasn’t just a replacement of parts, but a modification upgrade which brought it back to its original glory when it was new.

- All new ribbon cables built and replaced the old ones

I have also Made several aesthetic upgrades:

I purchased original switch buttons, fader knobs, pot knobs and caps, etc, from D&R (they are still in business but sell only broadcast consoles now, but they do have a web shop with many replacement parts for legacy products). I replaced all of them that showed any visible wear. I also have a bag of extras for whomever buys the console. I replaced the tinted plexiglass over the meter bridge.

I repainted the sides of the console with the original grey color and added some high quality contact paper in places where It would be too labor intensive to paint and where I thought it added a nice aesthetic touch, but the paint underneath is in great shape if you wanted to remove the contact paper, and repaint or leave as is.

Once every year for the last 10 years, I have pulled every module and meter out and cleaned every switch and pot as directed by my tech with Deoxit/99.9% alcohol mixture and using fader lube on all faders and other moving parts, so internally it is in top shape. As of my last use (6 months ago) there were no scratchy pots or faders in the entire unit. I also polished the painted metal finish with Flitz polish every time I did my annual cleaning. There is very little in the way of nicks or scratches for a 30 year old console, but there is some normal wear and tear. Take a close look at the pictures and you can see how immaculately this has been maintained.

If you know about these consoles and their stellar reputation then you know what you’re looking at. They are fantastic boards but have to be maintained like any older piece of gear.

PLEASE NOTE : The 8 modules on the right side (black fader knobs in the picture) are spare modules and are not connected, but can be used if you need them. These are original, not modded, and I cannot guarantee that some might need work, but I never use them as I haven’t had another module fail on me.

Now, here’s everything I know of that is not working perfectly on the console:

-Over the last six months, the right side of the stereo output has occasionally gone “in and out.” By “jiggling” the CRM pot, this solves the problem so I suspect either a new pot or something in that circuit may need repair. I spoke with Ralph about it already and I believe it will be a very minor repair that he can easily fix it if you need him to or you can do it yourself if you have the skills. It could just be as simple as a partially failed solder joint.

- There is an LED light on the master meters that stays dimly lit even when there is no signal. It does not affect the proper functioning or LED reading of the master outputs. My guess is that one of the IC chips needs replacing. I have bags of spare IC chips that will come with the console, but Ralph or perhaps you could also easily fix. Again, it does not affect the proper functioning of the meters.

These are very minor issues that can be corrected easily. They do not prevent you from using the console as intended right away.

I have all the history and I am happy to discuss with anyone by phone or messaging if you have questions.

This is an absolutely amazing console and will serve you well for many years. I recommend you read up on these, but they are incredibly flexible consoles with all kinds of routing options, via a “floating subgroup system.” They are very “clean” sounding, so if you want color you can use outboard gear to provide that. In addition, routine maintenance can easily be done by the user when you know what to do, information which I can pass on to the buyer

Remaining Redco cabling and a custom dust cover will also be provided.

Why am I selling? I am retired and am downsizing all my gear for my use only. Just keeping a few items and keeping things simple and manageable for an old guy to just record his music In the box.

Please keep any offers reasonable and I will seriously consider. I know I will never make back the amount I put into upgrading this (well over $20,000), but I would like to make a fair deal and make sure it continues to facilitate the making of music in a new home! If my listing here and elsewhere locally doesn’t sell the unit, I will likely donate to a good music program or sell on consignment if possible.

PLEASE NOTE: The console is decommissioned and not set up to do demos, but something could be arranged if you want to run signal through it.

This is for LOCAL PICKUP ONLY (in the Philadelphia area). Buyer must arrange and provide muscle for moving up two flights of stairs into an appropriately large vehicle for transport. It weighs in the neighborhood of 225 lbs.

If you absolutely had to have a freight shipment, this would need a custom shipping crate built before shipping. Buyer would need arrange and pay for building a crate, freight shipping, etc. I am unable to arrange for this on my end. I would estimate that it would cost upwards of $2000 to do all of this.

Thanks for looking and please contact me with any and all questions you may have!