DDA D Series Manual and Schematics

[Hugh Robjohns]

If it will help, email your message and contact details to me and I'll happily forward it on. (hugh at soundonsound dot com)

[Sam Spoons]

Three posts is the threshold for post been published without moderation so if #sounddesigner replies will that post, being his third, also activate his PM privileges?

[Hugh Robjohns]

I can't remember if the threshold is '3' or 'more than 3'... but either way a couple of posts should open the option for him.

[soundesigner]

If it will help, email your message and contact details to me and I'll happily forward it on. (hugh at soundonsound dot com)

Thank you Hugh! That is very kind of you;)

Will send you message as soon as I can.

Much appreciated ! Kamil

[Sam Spoons]

I've always thought it was the first three post needed mods approval after which they get automatic approval so I'm guessing once the 3td post is approved a whole wealth of avenues open

[Hugh Robjohns]

I think you're right...

[soundesigner]

I can send messages now! Cheers guys;)

[Sam Spoons]

[Paul_W]

Hi everyone. I've been reading this thread with great interest. I'm a french musician living in Crest, Valence area. Playing guitars for Commandant Coustou, we're playing carribean music .

I'm currently searching deeply in the French Italian and German classified in order to find me a DDA mixer. 24/8 or 32/8, in correct condition, direct outs prefered.

My project is to bring my home-studio to the next level so we can at least produce decent demos, and maybe our next EP. I need a desk with good pres and EQ for the sessions, which I would use for analog summing also, and even mixing OTB. I also have in mind that it could be a great way to learn about how to recap old circuits... A friend of mine is an engineer and a confirmed hobbyist tech, so I could ask for his help in the process if needed.

I have spotted 2 boards that are in the right price range for me (400-700€), both decommissioned PA veterans:
DDA Q Series 32/8
https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anz ... 0-172-8798
DDA Forum 24/8
https://www.leboncoin.fr/instruments_de ... 588791.htm

I've carefully scrutinized the brochures and manuals of both models, and I'm a little confused about which board is a better option. Forum seems to be a newer model with better sonic specs (crosstalk noise etc.) ? What about the modules ? No stereo input modules in the Forum apparently ? The Q mixer seem a little bit more complete regarding the routing options ? What about the Bus output modules : I don't really get the comparative advantages of matrix vs PA modules ? The Q board's module have the Mute option which sounds kind of handy.

By the way I've found out that this website is hosting the DDA consoles website (so no need to use webarchive) : https://www.njohnson.co.uk/host/ddaconsoles/ Thank you very much Mr. Johnson. I've already downloaded every brochure, manual or schematic...

So what would you advise me to buy ?
I was leaning toward the Q beacause of the greater amount of channels, the Mute option and the routing conveniences but I thought maybe the Forum would be cleaner, closer to the Audient boards specs sonically, easier to move and to maintain (fewer modules to recap)... It is closer to where I live too. Cost is the same due to the kilometers I'd have to drive to pick up the Q.

Thank you in advance for your answers. Excuse my english.

Peace.
Paul

[Klaudio]

Hi Paul,

I think it'll be hard to tell which board will be sonically better. Since they're both older desks the sonic performance will depend very much on individual maintenance.

I'd really recommend you to rather wait a little longer for an offer that is close enough to your place that you can easily visit and check the board and don't feel like you've wasted a ton of time if you have to leave without buying (if thi board doesn't match your expectations).
I think for boards this age it's all about getting a personal impression and testing them.

If you don't have any chance of testing: I'd personally go with the Q series. Not because I know that board (I own a Q2 that I'm thrilled with), just because I think you'll be more flexible on the long run having more channels and two more foldbacks.

[Klaudio]

Hi,

that sounds like some extensive experience with DDA gear .

Similarly to soundesigner I'd also be interested in spare parts. I have a DDA Q2 that I use for mixing in my home studio and am looking for additional mono and/or stereo inputs. Do you have some spare channels by any chance?

If so, I'd be happy if you could write me a PM (I can't write any PMs myself yet) maybe including your email adress for a reply.

Thanks in advance!

Sorry for the late addition to the thread. I've not been paying attention recently but if you get stuck with any D Series issues, feel free to PM me as I've owned and used D Series consoles since about 1989, still have a vague idea of what goes on inside them and would be happy to help if I can.

I sold my last big D Series a few years ago - a rather nice custom built 48:8:24:2 with 40 Theatre Inputs and 4 Stereo Line Inputs (all with P+G Faders), RTW 24 channel plasma meter bridge, DK Audio, Sifam Type 74 PPM, Sifam VU and Total Systems Phase meters on the master bus, all the optional output transformers and a bunch of mods to enhance the talkback, cue lights, and monitor section, lower the already good noise floor and crosstalk, and add things like machine control for several machines, dual PSUs via an automatic changeover, an expansion kit to add another 16 input channels in a separate frame, and a flight case. It was a lovely mixer to work with - and to work on - but I couldn't justify the ongoing storage cost for something I hadn't used in years and knew deep down that I wouldn't use again.

Several other largeish analogue consoles (including 48 input Midas H3000 and Studer 963, a 60 input DDA QII, a 56 channel DDA DMR12 and a 40 input Soundcraft B800) followed it but I still have too many bits of my mixer 'collection' hanging around! They look great and I do still like using them, if only for sentimental reasons but I'm older now and the appeal of lugging them around has waned somewhat. Also, next to modern digital consoles they're just dinosaurs that can't cut it in an age where dealing with 120+ inputs is increasingly normal and 200+ inputs isn't out of the question. But what kid (of any age) doesn't love a dinosaur!

When it comes to DDA bits, of the D Series stuff, I still have most (possibly all) of a small (16 module) Mk1 frame and a bunch of spare channels - Theatre, Standard and Stereo input strips, groups, master section strips, (however I'm short of rear-panel modules), ribbon bus cables, looms, PSU cables, blank strips and other mechanical and electronic parts, and some documentation on various non-standard factory mods that aren't in the normal manuals. I've been clearing out my storage and keep finding more bits of D Series hiding in the darker corners.

I also still have some Interface Series consoles, spares and parts - from whole, working mixers in various sizes, to empty frames and spare channels, groups, masters, cables and parts which I should probably go through.

Not forgetting a flightcased FMR, a semi canibalised Forum (parts donor to the FMR but might still be enough bits to make a working part filled frame) which I'd forgotten about but which came home last autumn to take up space in my storage rather than that of another forum member. It was fun to see it back and I'd love to think I might use it again but I haven't used a large analogue mixer for work in well over ten years and, realistically, it's just taking up storage space that costs probably more than it's actually worth these days!

[Paul_W]

Thanks Klaudio for your answer !
Things have changed since my previous post. Turns out that the Forum 24/8 is sold without the PSU ! The seller has changed the price to 250€ cause he couldn't find it. Could be a great source for mono input modules though.
The Q board in Germany seems definitely beaten up and too far away for me to take a chance.
I've found a gorgeous Q2 board . But it's a VCA version. It comes with 2 racks of outboard 90's units that I might be interested in also (mostly KT DN series).
I'm a little confused about what I've read about VCA boards not being suitable for studio use (less headroom and so on...).

Would it be a good choice for approx. 1000€ (w/o outboards) ?

[Klaudio]

Hi Paul,

that board just looks beautiful . Generally I think that's a fair price as well considering the size/features and quality.
I have also read about the shortcomings of VCAs in a studio. My Q2 doesn't have VCAs, but normal subgroups instead. So I can't give a verdict on the VCA version.
I've used VCAs live many times and they didn't upset me then. However, there probably must be good reasons for professional studios not working with VCA based boards.

I love the flexibility of the DDA Q2 though EQ- and routingwise.

On the other hand spending 1000 € without knowing if VCAs suit your needs in the studio is a tough amount for a hobby. Is the board closeby enough to go and test it for a while?

I'd personally probably rather go with a smaller/cheaper board (maybe the manufacturer soundtracs might be interesting as well?) for a lower price for a first start. If you find out after one or two years that you enjoy mixing OTB and understand the limitations of the smaller board in practice, you can still sell it for a similar price and upgrade accordingly (having a much better idea of what additional features will really bring your work forward).
But this is obviously a matter of personal taste and willingness to take risks or not .

[Hugh Robjohns]

However, there probably must be good reasons for professional studios not working with VCA based boards.

Lots of pro studios use mixing consoles with VCAs... it all depends on the quality of the VCA!

[Paul_W]

OK thanks. It's quite far away from where I live (Southern France), approx. 450 km north in Switzerland. But I have to go to Geneva anytime soon to pick up some other gear and that would lead me half-way.

You're right something like a Soundtracs Topaz 24/8/4 would be great too from I've read. And pretty convenient routing in an hybrid situation like mine. Really more a mixing/tracking console than the VCA Q2. There is one in Marseille (~2 hrs drive from my place) and it's about the same price tag.

Should I go and listen to the board ?

[Klaudio]

Generally a Soundtracs Topaz might serve you well I guess. I do believe that that I've seen them go for considerably lower prices like 600-800 €.
But then again that might also depend on the region where the board is offered and how many other offers there are.

[James Perrett]

While the Soundtracs Topaz is a perfectly good mixing desk, it was the budget model in Soundtracs' range and lacks one feature that I'd consider essential in an old desk - modularity. With an old desk something is going to go wrong occasionally and having the ability to just undo a couple of screws and pull out a module to fault find is essential in my book.