Jimmy Messina's Private Studio

32 Channel System in a Custom Console frame with ShadowMix moving faders, 16 EQs and a full Patchbay.

I decided to put this at the top as this is the finished console! It does not have the arm rest (bolster) on it yet, but we did some demos on it and it works perfect. This was the first time I was able to use 32 channels of automation and THAT was very cool.

Now the details...

We designed a very unique frame and Jimmy welded it with his buddy Hans.  They used 1X3, 1X2 and 1X1 steel square tubing and then powdercoated it with a crackle finish.  I must say, it looked spectacular, and they were exact on the dimensions, as the frame needs to fit on the two cross beams.  The 3 sections on the lower front and rear are for rack rail.  Each section can hold 8U of rack equipment.  This will be used for XLR bays, I/O connections, control room power amps and the console PSUs...





Now here is a proud Dad of a new console.  We assembled the frames in less than 45 minutes each, and installed a 500 rack for his vintage API EQs in the center of the second bucket.  Jimmy can be seen here, actually mowing the lawn with a Tonelux bucket...

I flipped the frames upside down to be able to measure the interconnect cables and test fit them before setting the buckets into the frame.  The patchbays are from Audio Accessories, and are their new D-sub I/O with switchable normals and ground bussing.  It is the most intelligent patchbay design I have ever seen.  It took us about an hour to lay in the internal cables, and a half day for the external cables.  This is the way it should be!!


Setting the buckets onto the frame was way too easy.



The smile tells all.  We are getting ready to install the cables into the frame.  Like I said, way too easy.



Nearly finished.  The API eqs are in the near bucket, and 16 of the Tonelux Eqs are in the far bucket (4 shown).  The Master facilities are located in the near bucket.  The upper racks are reserved for the Tonelux Meter package. coming out soon, along with the new Tonelux ShadowMix (TM) automation system.  Jimmy is also getting a custom leather bolster made for the front arm rest.



This shot shows the patchbay.  We have 5 Audio Accessories bays, with Pro Tolls out to TX MX2 in, Insert send, Insert return, TX MX2 Direct out, then Pro Tools In.  The blank is for the existing outboard patchbay.

<>The rear of the console using XLR panels for additional I/O


Side View with the wood...