MCI 428 Vintage Recording & Mixing Console

General Description:

Here is a vintage, 1975 American made, MCI 428 Recording & Mixing Console. The MCI 428 is a classic 28 channel, 24 buss, quad buss console with fully quad panning available. It is fully transformer balanced. This console is loaded with a lot of iron which contributes to it lush, warm, beautiful sound. It has 4 auxiliary sends and 4 returns and a standard master section of its time. Patch bays are integral TT with punch block on the back side of the mixing console. The console meter bridge has the light meter option that was available at the time and it definitely fits the era it was made in - the light meter has a 1970s disco dance floor vibe to it :-). Not very useful metering, but very cool and vibey. I just work off the master section metering which has analog VU metering for the 4 quad busses and the 4 echos which is all I needed. I will include a full MCI VU 24 channel meter bridge, however, it is untested and I never used it. Console also comes with a 24 multi-track in and out harness wired from punch block to 24 XLR male and 24 XLR females. No other console wiring or bays included.

Console Sound:

The low end is beautiful sounding on the MCI 428. Very rich and punchy thanks to its unique 2001 series op amps used to power the desk. You really hear it in the bass guitar, kick, toms and the overall bottom end of the sound. It sounds awesome with my 1979 2", 24 Track, MCI JH24 Analog Tape Recorder as well (not in this auction) and you really hear the sound really transform and get warmer with more dimension when you run digital tracks from your interface through it.

History/Service/Upgrades:

I believe I am the 3rd owner of the console and have owned the console for approximately the last 11 years. The former owner had it serviced, recapped and a new bumper, but never put the console into service. It still needed some repairs/services before I could commission it. There has been some minor repairs/work to the console as needed over the years. But I recently did a fairly extensive upgrade to the console with brand new relays installed on every single mic and input channel channel in the board to future proof the board, improve reliability and longevity. You could see them in the photo provided on the close up of the channel strip. The console has been extremely reliable since I have owned it. The sealed pots they used must have been of very high quality, because I hear very little to no scratchiness, when operating pots on the desk (which can be annoying with many other vintage consoles). This console is in excellent working condition and is a great example of a classic American console of the 1970s which would cost well into six figures to remanufacture today.

Shop Terms & Conditions

Sold As Is, No Returns. This is a 52 year old, used vintage console. No trades. Serious inquiries only please. This console is for sale in the USA only. Pick up only - No Shipping. Easy ground floor exit recording studio. This console is for sale on other auction sites and social media so the listing could be pulled down at some point.