Best small digi desk in the sun

Rob Spence

Rob Spence

Senior
Jan 11, 2011
897
4
18
Boston Metro North West
www.lynxaudioservices.com
Note, not under the sun:-)

So, I had my 01v96 out in the sun a few weeks back. No ability to either put up a shelter or move it to shade. I not only could not see the screen but could not even tell if channels were on.

So, since I don't actually use it often, maybe it is time to move on and replace it.
I could just bring out a little analog mixer but I would miss the flexible I/O and channel EQ.

The 12 mic inputs are fine and I often use the line in jacks as stereo playback pairs.
I no longer use the ADAT as I do not like Toslink for live production. I have a set of four mic preamps I can use if I need 16 mics.

I like actual controls so the Mackie DL boards are out for me.

Suggestions?


Sent from my iPad HD
 
Re: Best small digi desk in the sun

I would leave out the Soundcraft Compact/Expression/Performer desks. Not only is the screen tiny, but even in non-direct sunlight it's kind of hard to see. It's also almost impossible to see the illuminated soft buttons or their fader glow feature. The LEDs on the channel strip section (eq, comp, gate) and channel pots are fine though.

It's a shame, because I really like these desks besides that.
 
Re: Best small digi desk in the sun

It sounds like the problem is the sun and not the console. How about just getting one of those reflective sun blockers like you put in your windshield on a hot day? Cheaper than a new console, plus any electronics in the direct sun is a bad idea anyway.
 
Re: Best small digi desk in the sun

Anything in direct sun can be trouble, analog included. I remember not being able to see VCA assignments, meters, on analog desks in direct sun. Make a hood of some kind, or a dark colored EZ-up. Gaff and rack lids for an emergency hood.

Rob Spence said:
Note, not under the sun:-)

So, I had my 01v96 out in the sun a few weeks back. No ability to either put up a shelter or move it to shade. I not only could not see the screen but could not even tell if channels were on.

So, since I don't actually use it often, maybe it is time to move on and replace it.
I could just bring out a little analog mixer but I would miss the flexible I/O and channel EQ.

The 12 mic inputs are fine and I often use the line in jacks as stereo playback pairs.
I no longer use the ADAT as I do not like Toslink for live production. I have a set of four mic preamps I can use if I need 16 mics.

I like actual controls so the Mackie DL boards are out for me.

Suggestions?


Sent from my iPad HD
Click to expand...
 
Re: Best small digi desk in the sun

The Avid S3L has been fine in the sun. Part of it depends on the brightness of the monitor you get, but the oled's on the control surface are pretty bright.
 
Re: Best small digi desk in the sun

I've used a Panasonic Cf19 toughbook in the sun it has a pretty bright screen, they are available cheaply now 2nd hand all I did was run the desk softwarev in Online mode and used it as the desk screen. Still prefer a sun shield though
 
Re: Best small digi desk in the sun

Rob Spence said:
Note, not under the sun:-)

So, I had my 01v96 out in the sun a few weeks back. No ability to either put up a shelter or move it to shade. I not only could not see the screen but could not even tell if channels were on.

So, since I don't actually use it often, maybe it is time to move on and replace it.
I could just bring out a little analog mixer but I would miss the flexible I/O and channel EQ.

The 12 mic inputs are fine and I often use the line in jacks as stereo playback pairs.
I no longer use the ADAT as I do not like Toslink for live production. I have a set of four mic preamps I can use if I need 16 mics.

I like actual controls so the Mackie DL boards are out for me.

Suggestions?


Sent from my iPad HD
Click to expand...


Midas Pro 1 – the Pro series are best I have seen for readability in sun light.
 
Re: Best small digi desk in the sun

Out of curiosity I did some searching. The Lenovo x230 I use is 300nits, and is ok in the bright shade, but pretty difficult in the sun. I have an empty 18RU rack that has just a shelf and its good to use there with the shade provided by the FOH tent and the rack. I found a Panasonic Toughbook on eBay and the specs said it was 1000 nits. Seems like that would definitely do the trick.

Does anyone know the nit reading on any of the console screens out there?
 
Re: Best small digi desk in the sun

Lee Williams said:
I would leave out the Soundcraft Compact/Expression/Performer desks. Not only is the screen tiny, but even in non-direct sunlight it's kind of hard to see. It's also almost impossible to see the illuminated soft buttons or their fader glow feature. The LEDs on the channel strip section (eq, comp, gate) and channel pots are fine though.

It's a shame, because I really like these desks besides that.
Click to expand...

Actually with the Soundcraft Compact/Expression/Performer desks you don't really need the screen for the most commonly used functions. That gives it the advantage in bright sunlight, although I have trouble viewing LEDs in the sun with all sorts of boards including analog.
 
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