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26
They say that home is where
the heart is; and SIMON
TILLBROOK finds that the
Everest ECS-410 fits in right at
the centre of Summit’s popular
processing family, with all of
the hereditary traits that you’d
expect from the brand.
THE REVIEWER
SIMON TILLBROOK is the Principal
Music Tutor at Islington Music
Workshop in London. The rest of
his time is spent as a freelance
engineer, mainly in the USA.
The Summit Everest ECS-410 is offered up as Summit’s
flagship channel strip. The ECS-410 is made up of four
sections, each independently accessible via the rear
panel connections.
The four sections of the ECS-410 are the Mz2
microphone preamplifier and DI, the Dc1 Dual mode
dynamics processor, the Fe1 three-band passive equaliser,
and the Db2 Master output/DriveBuss.
The input and output stages of the Summit Everest
ECS-410 give you a choice of either solid state or tube
processing, maximising the sonic characteristics and
flavour that can be achieved. In the case of the Mz2, we
have, after the gain, an interstage Jensen line transformer
for some additional character before feeding into the
solid state or tube stages.
A unique aspect to the Summit Everest ECS-410 is
the TouchPatch routing system. A series of buttons on the
front panel allow you to configure the order of process
sections that feed into the DriveBus output. There are ten
different configurations that are all detailed in the easy
to follow user manual. Any section not in use through
the TouchPatch routing can be independently used and
accessed through the rear connections.
The unique aspect of the ECS-410 is the TouchPatch
routing system. This allows you to route any of the
sections both to and from any other section, or bypass all
internal routing to allow external independent access to
the four process sections of the ECS-410.
The rear of the Summit Everest ECS-410 clearly divides
the available connections in relation to the four sections.
The Mz2 Pre has balanced XLR I/O, plus a TRS balanced
output and insert TRS. The insert point appears post the
transformer and gain control, and pre the solid state or
tube preamplifier. DI input is via the front unbalanced
Hi-Z jack socket.
The Dc1 dual mode compressor has balanced XLR
I/O, jack sockets for stereo linking another unit, and side
chain input.
The Fe1 passive three-band equaliser simply has
balanced XLR I/O, and the Db2 DriveBuss has balanced
XLR input, plus XLR and TS outputs.
Front Panel Sections
The first section on the Summit Everest ECS-410 is the
Mz2 Preamplifier. We have +60dB of gain on the rotary
control with ten segment LED input level metering. A set
of switches gives us access to phase reverse, phantom
power, -20dB pad, high pass filter with a 60Hz turnover
frequency, and discrete solid state or 12AX7A tube output
selection. An LED indicator lets you know that the internal
TouchPatch system is engaged.
The Dc1 compressor has two modes that can
be selected next to the LED gain reduction meter.
Classic mode is a soft knee smooth and light compression,
and Tight is a more aggressive limiting style of
compression. A TouchPatch LED indicator and a Bypass/
Link switch follow rotary controls for the usual parameters.
The Fe1 three band passive equaliser follows with cut/
boost and frequency selection for each band.
Frequency selection rotary controls are stepped
selectors and the high and low bands are switchable
between peak and shelf characteristics. In peak mode all
bands have a bandwidth of two octaves. A TouchPatch
LED and bypass switch complete the Fe1.
The final section of the Summit Everest ECS-410 is the
Db2 DriveBus master output. To the side of the output VU
AUDIO MEDIA MAY 2009
meter are LED indicators for overload and drive. The latter
gives a visual idea of how hard the high voltage output is
being worked. A switch lets you select either bypass, or a
choice of solid state or tube output options.
The small Drive rotary knob controls the amount
of signal feeding either the tube or solid-state output
amplifiers as you have selected for added tone to the
sound. A large Master Output level control gives up to
20dB of additional output gain.
In Use
Starting with the Fe1 equaliser, this is based on the
Summit FeQ-50 and delivers all the musicality that this
passive design has to offer. Even when used with fairly
extreme levels of cut or boost, the Fe1 never sounds really
SUMMIT AUDIO EVEREST ECS-410
Recording Channel Strip
aggressive and excessively processed. This theme carries
through to the Dc1 compressor. In classic mode the Dc1
is all about subtle, smooth, and uncoloured control.
The audio signal dictates the performance as the Dc1
follows and rounds off the edges sympathetically.
When switched to Tight mode, we are given a more
extreme and punchy sound, but still very musical and
smooth even with this setup.
The impression is that the Summit Everest ECS-
410 processor sections are all about smooth musical
interaction, and this works beautifully.
The Mz2 preamp and Db2 DriveBus output sections
proved to be extremely flexible. When I tested the Summit
Everest ECS-410, I used them both in many combinations
and individual instances in both solid-state and tube
modes. You can achieve a clean crisp stunning quiet
feel, or a full-blooded saturated and aggressive tone.
The versatility of the ECS-410 when it comes to sonic
flavour is exceptional.
The TouchPatch routing is something you appreciate
more as you use the ECS-410. Quick setup changes
between onboard configurations, and the ability to
externally access unused stages of the Summit Everest
ECS-410 means that a single unit can be accommodating
various session process requirements simultaneously.
Conclusion
The Summit Everest ECS-410 is everything I have come
to expect as a user of Summit Audio equipment. Each of
the four sections performs fantastically, giving numerous
sonic possibilities. The TouchPatch system is a very
welcome addition, providing us with the opportunity
to use each of these process stages on a single signal, or
share with other parts of our system.
The Summit Everest ECS-410 is about musical flexibility
and, in this regard, is a wonderful new member of the
Summit range. �
...................................
INFORMATION
� GB£2,800.00 (exc.VAT)
� Summit Audio Inc., PO Box 326, Gardnerville,
NV 89410, USA
� +1 775 782 8838
� www.summitaudio.com
� UK Distributor: SCV London
� +44 (0) 208 418 1470
� www.scvlondon.co.uk