IT HELPS TO BE A LITTLE MAD
By Graeme Hague
20 January 2014
Here’s a chance to support one of the “little guys”. Terry Auger is the owner, chief engineer and self-confessed mad scientist behind Unit Audio in Nashville. Intrigued by the concept of analogue summing, Terry decided to test the theory by engineering and building his own – can’t argue with that. Now compact, affordable summing mixers are his specialty and while Terry refreshingly admits his mixers won’t magically imbue the sound of a million dollar Nashville recording studio, he does promise his gear can add some analogue colour and sparkle into ITB recordings. Unit Audio analogue summing mixers are hand-wired point-to-point using quality Xicon metal film resistors and Neutrik connectors. The latest creation is the New Unit 16×2 mixer. It features 16 balanced line inputs on 2 D-Sub connectors, and when you purchase one you make a choice of either 6.5mm TRS or XLR output connectors. There’s also a version of each that includes panning switches – allowing the user to place channels 1 and 2 in monaural (centre), or hard left/hard right. The basic TRS model is priced at US$299, XLR is US$335 or US$349 and US$385 respectively for the panning models. You can buy direct from Terry and since the New Unit isn’t much bigger than an active DI, shipping from the States won’t break the bank. Tech specs and contact details are at www.unitaudio.com.
