Studer 902 Mixing Console

Studer 902, 24 channel (switchable among 3 sources), 4 bus, 3 mono + 1 stereo aux sends.  A true Swiss Army Knife & workhorse. Compact (about 4 1/2 feet wide) form factor, with impeccable Studer quality. I don't know why some of the photos display squashed. The black and white photo is unsquashed.Custom XLR insert bay which - although unbalanced (the original unbalanced inserts were on TRS jacks inside the armrest!) - sound flawless as direct outputs (easily rewired to a TT bay). All channels and buses are available on the insert bay.  Everything on all channels works but the mute buttons.  These are the deluxe mono channels with powerful 4 EQ bands (sweepable, two Q choices) + high and low pass filters.  Headroom for days!  I’ve had very few issues in nearly 25 years with her, which really says a great deal for Studer craftsmanship and the quality components employed.  I actually used it up north, so it hasn’t been baking in the heat all this timeExtremely quiet and clean in use, never audibly distorts, hisses, or hums.  I used it as a hub for external preamps, and other outboard equipment in both tracking and mixing and it plays well with everything I’ve tried. I don’t really have any experience with the preamps, as I have real deal outboard preamps galore, so I never had the need. I do not believe them to be magical, although they do have Beyer input transformers, so they’re not shabby either.This is a console I’ve never had to concern myself with degradation or over-coloration from running a signal through it multiple times.  For a modern hybrid workflow, I found it ideal.  I created color with everything else: mics, outboard gear, tape, etc.  So, it’s probably not for someone looking for a colored effect, or distortion, etc.Super Option: Neumann W495 stereo mastering EQ is currently installed next to the master faders, which you can wire to your bays.  $1500 upcharge if you want it!  Includes external power supply, XLR i/o..  Bonus: 24 channels of splitters!  I had my (quirky choice, I know) XLR bays feed splitters.  One leg fed the Studer line inputs 1-24, the other fed my 24 channel SSL converters, enabling us to freely create monitor mixes without affecting direct to converter levels.  I could patch in processors before those inputs if I wanted to print them, or use the inserts if I just wanted to monitor them.  The ability to flip the channels to “tape” for computer playback allows you to keep your balances and inserted effects intact for the performers to enjoy.As noted, each channel can be switched to “Tape” input, which works perfectly with either converters, or (obviously) tape machines. It plays very well with tape.  I could actually insert my Ampex machines on channels flawlessly, or hit them with the insert sends or buses, and bring the returns up on other channels.A few buttons on the aux master module have crumbled, but vintagetools.de supports this series and sells refurbished modules of all types.  I’m retiring, she’s not!  Pickup or arrange crating & freight from New Orleans “Northshore” area.