A genuinely rare piece of British studio history. The Chilton M10/2 Mk6 was the final and most refined version of Chilton's celebrated Quiet Mixer series, a 10-input, 2-output portable console hand-built by Magnetic Tapes Ltd in Richmond and used by broadcasters, the BBC and countless studios through the 1970s. Discrete transistor circuitry, modular construction and transformer-balanced inputs give it a warm, musical, almost Neve-like character that engineers quietly obsess over. A wooden-framed desk that looks as good as it sounds.

FEATURES & PROS:

• Discrete British Tone: transistor circuitry and input transformers for that warm, musical, vintage console sound.
• Quiet Mixer Pedigree: the series is famous for being exceptionally quiet, lovely on ribbon mics.
• Modular Build: high-quality modular cards, transformer-balanced mic inputs and line channels.
• 10 In, 2 Out: a compact stereo desk, or a characterful front-end and summing box for your DAW.
• Rare and Collectable: the last and best Mk6, seldom seen for sale.

AS USED BY

• Tony Banks of Genesis, who used a Chilton M10/2 (Mk III) for his keyboards in the mid-to-late 1970s, including the 1977 Wind & Wuthering tour
• The BBC and UK broadcasters, who ran Chilton desks through the 1970s

THE WORD: Engineers on Gearspace rate the Chilton Quiet Mixer series as exceptionally quiet and beautiful sounding, with one reporting it beat several respected preamps in a shootout, including a Neve 9098, and calling it a gem. Read the thread on Gearspace.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Chilton M10/2 Mk6 (Magnetic Tapes Ltd, Richmond, UK)
• Type: 10-input, 2-output portable mixing console
• Era: 1970s, the latest model in the Chilton Quiet Mixer series
• Circuitry: discrete transistor stages with modular construction
• Inputs: transformer-balanced mic inputs plus line channels (modular cards)
• EQ: two-band per channel
• Routing: pan to stereo 2-bus, aux send, cue and talkback
• Power: external power supply required (please confirm the PSU is included)
• Outputs: unbalanced; vintage operating levels suit a -10dBu converter input
• Condition: used

Further reading: BOP Studios: A Neve, an SSL and a Focusrite, in a Country That No Longer Exists