Crazy to make the switch?

I had an API console which sounded nice, but there was a mid-forward energy bump that was a love/hate type of thing.

I moved on to a Neve which is also in-line so workflow didn't change much.

For me it was all about the sound. Neve was much more flat/open and lush sounding, which is exactly what I wanted.

Neve 1073/1084 EQ's smoke the API 550a. I'm pretty sure I would prefer the Harrison EQ's to API 550a's if they are anything like the ones I've tried in the past.

Have no experience w/ the new 32C. You don't mention why you are switching.

If you want to have a discussion you may consider to add some more information....

Not sure if I want to take the hit, every console will have there pros and cons,i am also considering a neve BCM 16,most of time I just track through the console and mix in the box, also the Harrison might be overkill for my scenario ,and it takes up a good amount of space, they Also make a 16 channel version as well ,a lot cheaper than the neve,i really do not need all the inserts that the api gives me ,not using them ,the neve would be a cleaner setup for my needs and get the job done

You can probably get a rack of Neve and a rack of Coil, which is all you might need for tracking , for the cash you'd have to put out to upgrade your console, and all the time to decommission and rewire, no fun at all. Use the console for routing.

The best of both worlds

I think Harrison is also selling individual channels so you can rack up 8-12 for a nice buss set up.

Already have 1 Harrison 500 mic pre ,love it, going to add 1 more 500 mic pre and 2 Harrison 32c Mixstrip,which I can bring into my console via alternate inputs or use them as hardware inserts in pt

Those 32C Mixstrips look amazing!!

Yeah definitely keeping the api great tech support and I can drive to the factory to boot, what the hell was I thinking 🥹

Definitely look into the Daking MKII.
Simply one of the best sounding consoles made with tons of features..
Transformer pres
Compressor limiter on every channel
Inductor based Eq with high and low pass filters
Tons and tons of routing..
Built in patchbay
Really tough to beat ..

How much for a 24 channel with automaton, I assume it is inline?

Need to check with Jeff directly, if you private message me, I’ll give you his number and I’m sure he can give you prices. Mostly the consoles come in 32 channel and 16 channel versions. The Architecture is built around 16 channels, but if that’s enough for tracking a 16 channel Console gives you 46 channels to the mix bus! it’s incredibly complete when it comes to routing and mixing. Trust me, when I say, you will not beat at the sound of this console. it will simply blow you away.
Cheers

It’s worth looking at Hum Audio’s console! Pretty impressive options and diversity of sounds/routing.

Compared to the Harrison 32c ,I would think. the Daking is going to be way more expensive

Perhaps..
But by the time you add patchbay, compressors and all the stuff to make the Harrison even close the Daking is very reasonable when you compare things..
Cheers

I'd strongly suggest to get your hands on some of the options you might want to use.. it's more a matter of features, workflow and how you want/like to work..

with that said if I was in your shoes I'd make sure to test (in person) a few.. and put my hands on at least these 4 options..

you come from an API 2448 which is a pretty good console in my book.. dunno what you're specifically looking for, but in 2025 I'd for sure consider:

- Custom 75 (made in Burbank, if neve is what you're looking for)

- Daking Console MK2 (this console is really great, inline, with great eq and compressor on every channel and with an integrated patch bay, so what Skip says it's true, once you price the patchbay and compressors/feats into other consoles, the price is not really much more).
the Daking is very flexible and it's also well thought out.. also it's thought to be easy to maintain, which is a big plus)

- HUM N-Trophy looks like an incredible piece.. definitely worth to check out! Given how some other gear they make sounds, would definitely consider it.

I'm not sure the Harrison is on par with these, but it's mainly a matter of workflow (and taste).. I'm not sure it will be "better" than your API.

So I'd strongly suggest to invest some time (and money) to travel and see if you could put your hands on these 4 consoles.. I mean these are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination.. so I'd make the efforts to find out what YOU like best.

I hope this helps,

howdy

Cheu

Well if I were to go that nuts ,I would consider a API AXS .

Thanks chew78 , I think for right now .I going to stick with the Api ,I know everyone at api ,and I feel comfortable working with them,I have driven to there factory, great tech support ,in the near future i am working on building a studio ,trying to get out of the basement in my home, plans are drawn ,needs so revisions ,when I make the move,a might consider a different setup, but for the moment the api gets the job done and sounds great

Well, I would agree the API is a fantastic consult as well. However, the Daking would beat it in headroom and sound quality. Remember also, the Daking is fully clase and has a sound that simply can’t be touched. While I love the API and I own some of that equipment myself, the Daking is just overall superior when it comes to sound quality and routing options. The metering options alone are fantastic as you can meter every part of the signal. You really should check it out in my humble opinion. Cheers.

post numbers to support your claim

What sound quality is an opinion, however, I said I love the api system as well. However the headroom throughout all aspects of the Daking equal +30! And that would be driving into at least a 600 ohm load. Very tough to beat that.

The Daking has the highest headroom and for sure the widest bandwidth of anything mentioned.
Having spent a good deal of time with a 3232, personally I would rate it last sonically among the consoles mentioned. It's a good board, but the Daking is sonically substantially better. I personally like the openness better than the API and the Harrison.
And it will take some real knowledge and commitment to keep the 3232 working. It is not a simple design. At least it's a "C". I would go near the earlier versions.


Kirt Shearer

Check out the video that RickBiato
did in Nashville at the sound Emporium. They have an api there sounds good to my ears , headroom doesn’t mean much if the song sucks

My api has more than enough headroom for me , so we can agree to disagree

Never said there was anything wrong with APIs, they are great. A different sound than a Daking (Trident A Range). And I believe technically, the Daking has more headroom than an API.
That doesn't mean the API sucks, or that you're going to use all of the headroom.

Kirt Shearer

Just really tired of chasing the gear, at the end of the day, nobody’s listening to a tune and saying was that recorded on an API or an SSL or a neve or a Daking or whatever.if the tune moves you , you are going down the right path, after doing this for over 40 years, I’m starting to get it, the gear matters, but not nearly as much as the talent

Yes. All cool...But you asked the specific questions about console choice. People answered.

I feel like you then argued about some opinions and then said that it's just the song that matters anyway.

So maybe next time I won't offer an opinion to the question.

It’s always good to share opinions, have a good night

This is so classically GearSpace. A man solicits opions about replacing Gear X. He receives opinions and then seemingly acts defensive on behalf of Gear X.

That ranks up there with commentors criticizing people for asking gear-related questions here and going on about "nothing beats a good song", and "People listen to songs, not equipment."

Oh, you did that, too? Sorry, my work is complete, then.

If you read my reply, I said I was gonna keep the API not look for another console. I guess you missed that part.
I’ll be leaving this forum as as fast as you can say gear space