Mercenary Audio - Dangerous 2-Bus 16x2 Summing Mixer

The original 16 channel summing box first introduced by Dangerous Music quite a number of years ago is what nearly every other summing box is based on (maybe with a few other fancy tricks and features, but in essence the same idea). This was the only rack mount summing box that participated on Lynn Fuston's DAW SUM summing challenge. It held its own on that test and continues to be a favorite of DAW users around the world.

Dangerous 2-Bus features

Dangerous Music's 2-BUS allows the full potential of your digital audio workstation to be realized. Assembled by hand using the highest quality components, the 2-BUS sums 16 channels of audio to a stereo pair in a pristine analog environment, preserving the nuance and clarity of your mix.

The 2-BUS delivers quality you would expect from a full-scale analog console, but from a compact, 2 RU device that was specifically designed for the professional digital studio.

SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency Response: 1 Hz-100 kHz within 0.2 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.005% in audio band
Intermodulation Distortion: 0.005% IMD60 4:1
Crosstalk @ 1 kHz: -97 dB
Crosstalk @ 10 kHz: -91 dB
Noise floor: -81 dBu total energy in audio band
Max level: +26 dBu
Nominal operating level: +4 dBu (1.228 volts)
Input impedance: 25kohm balanced
Output impedance: 50 ohms balanced (600 ohm drive capable)
Gain accuracy: better than .05 dB @ 1 kHz for any gain setting
Power consumption: 30 watts
Warranty: 2 years parts and labor, subject to inspection. Does not include damage incurred through abusive operation or modifications/attempted repair by unauthorized technicians.

MANUALS & PDFs

Dangerous Music 2-Bus Manual Adobe pdf

I have the Rosetta 800 and I am mixing all in Cubase SX. My questions are regarding summing solutions outside the box and possibly adding additional converters. What is the difference between the (Dangerous) 2 bus and the 2 bus LT?

The Dangerous 2 Buss LT doesn't have the "+6" switch for each pair, uses db25 connectors for the inputs, has a slightly different output amplifier and no final 2 mix level trim. The Dangerous 2 buss connects using all XLR ins and outs where the 2 Buss LT uses db25 connectors [multipin blocks] wired to Tascam standard... and the 2 mix level trim is just that... a final level trim for the output level of the 2 Buss.

The "+6" switch has two potential uses. One can be to do "solo in context" in other words to raise a group [two inputs] 6db in context to the rest of the mix which will enable you to do processing like EQ with the sound in rough context to the rest of the track. I have found this to be a quicker way to get things to fall into place within a mix than trying to EQ in just solo and a bit easier than trying to apply EQ with the sound in the balance.

The other thing the "+6" switch can do for you is to allow you to run the output of your DAW with greater headroom around the D/A converters as you can pick up the level by 6db at the Dangerous 2 Buss... this is especially helpful with Pro-Tools as it has compromised headroom characteristics, I'm not all that sure if it's relevant to Cubase or other DAW applications.

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