There were two main selling points for me: 1. the phone hybrid and 2. the three mic inputs. For the money, there isn’t another console on the market right now that comes close to the performance and especially price of these two features. With the phone hybrid, it’s possible to hook up VoiP and two land lines, interviewing all three. With the three mic inputs, you can have a six way conversation!

The mic equalizer and built in compressor works better than I expected, but it helps to have a quality microphone. The Rode and Beyer stuff worked really well.

There isn’t an amp for the studio monitors, so I used KRK’s active Rokit5 speakers. Highly recommended – plenty of power and absolutely clear sound. They will really show the “warts” of your DAR.

I shopped around for four months before I bought the Solidyne. I would highly recommend this unit.

http://www.broadcasttools.com/view_product.php?pid=155

I tried contacting them numerous times in order to request information, and to apply for a loan piece. I thought I’d check things out and post a review.

Zero response. No big deal.

-ptfigg.

I was aware of this company. They were referenced in an ad that I came across some time ago. I spend a good amount of time researching what radio stations use for various aspects of production. Many of these products can be applied to podcasting in one way or another.

Keep in mind that this console lacks a few important features. For example: external processor integration. It can be done, however it would require some ingenuity. It would have been cool if they included inserts on the mic channels.

I think that we will begin to see similar devices hit the market offered by competing manufacturers.

-ptfigg.

I failed to elaborate on the diversity of the USB I/O option.

From the site:

The D816 is connected directly to a PC (8 channels). Two PC’s can be used; one for automation software and another for Internet streaming. For the first time, you do not need to open a PC to install expensive soundcards. Only one USB connection is necessary with the D816. Digital information from the PC arrives at the console, and returns in the digital format, without distortion, without noise, hum, or connection errors.

-ptfigg.