Euphonix CS3000
Digitally-controlled analog production console with full automation (US, late 1990s)
List price at launch 177,800 USD as of 1998
Description
Technical
Specifications
Processing
| Mix buses | 24 |
|---|---|
| Aux sends | 8 |
| Channel processing | Fully analog audio path with no A/D or D/A conversion. Only the control layer (routing, levels, EQ, dynamics) is digital: a digitally-controlled analog console. |
| Architecture | Two units: a Control Surface (with DSC) and an Audio Tower (audio electronics), linked by a simple 33-foot (~10 m) serial cable. A patchbay and support computer complete the system. |
| EQ | Two 4-band equalizers per module, cascadable into an 8-band EQ; shared between the channel's two signal paths. |
| Dynamics | Dynamics via ES-108 processors (optional Dynamics and Filter Package): compressor-limiter, de-esser, expander, noise gate per channel; up to 5×8 ES-108 modules in the Cube rack, expandable. |
| Buses | 24 mix buses standard; a 12-bus split accessible from every fader. Optional Audio Cube adds multiformat/aux buses in increments of 4, up to 48. |
| Surround and immersive | HyperSurround: dedicated surround mix buses configurable for 5.1, 7.1 and beyond (via Audio Cube). |
| Modularity and expansion | Optional MX464 (Master Facilities Expansion): 64 external monitor inputs, 8 stereo speaker outputs, 8×stereo feed matrix, 3 talkback mic inputs, 16 GPI relays. |
Surface
| Motorized faders | Yes |
|---|---|
| Fader layers | 2 |
| Screens | 1 |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Faders | Touch-sensitive P&G motorized faders on all lower-path sources (motorization optional on upper faders); FaderLink for extended grouping/automation. |
| Automation | Total automation: static SnapShots and dynamic mixing against timecode (faders, mutes, EQ, stereo pans, comp/limiters, aux). MixView 3.0 software, up to 999 mix passes, undo, offline editing, Merge/Update/Touch-Write/Trim modes. |
| Metering | Dual-LED meter bridge (normal, expanded, digital-peak, RMS/VU), master module with 3 VU meters (L/R/Mono or L/C/R) and an LED phase correlation display. |
Recording
| Onboard recording | No |
|---|
Networking
| Redundant PSU | No |
|---|---|
| Redundant networking | No |
Other
| Variants and configurations | Modular console, 2 to 4 frame sections, from 40 faders (CS3000-2-40) up to a maximum of 104 simultaneous mono/stereo inputs; 1-, 2- or 3-operator layouts. · Application variants: CS3000M (music), CS3000P (post), CS3000B (broadcast, 12 mix-minus buses), CS3000F (large-format film/dubbing). |
|---|
Strip & details
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Diagrams
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Software
MixView 3.0CS3000 onboard automation software: motorized faders, dynamic EQ automation, HyperSurround, up to 999 mix passes, undo, offline editing of automation data, Merge/Update/Touch-Write/Trim modes.
Other screenshots
Accessories
Other
- Audio Tower
Remote electronics tower housing the analog switching, mixing and processing circuits; linked to the surface by a ~10 m serial cable.
- MX464 Master Facilities Expansion
64 monitor inputs, 8 stereo speaker outputs, 8×stereo feed matrix, 3 talkback mics, 16 GPI relays.
- ES-108 / Dynamics and Filter Package
Dynamics modules (comp-limiter, de-esser, expander, gate) mounted in the Cube rack, enabled per channel.
I/O card
- Audio Cube
Bus expansion: additional multiformat/aux buses in increments of 4 (up to 48) and dedicated 5.1/7.1 surround buses.
Documents
Editorial & artists
Our take
History & design
Founded in 1988 in Palo Alto by Scott and Rob Silfvast and Adam Reif, Euphonix created the large-format digitally-controlled analog console category. After the Crescendo (1990) and CSII, the CS2000 (1994) established a radical assignable concept: every control is scanned, memorized and recalled to sub-frame accuracy, with the audio electronics housed in a remote Audio Tower linked to the surface by a simple serial cable. The CS3000, launched in the late 1990s, is its culmination.
Technically the CS3000 keeps the line's fully analog audio path (no conversion) but adds touch-sensitive P&G motorized faders, a completely redesigned surface and the MixView 3.0 automation software (up to 999 mix passes, offline editing, 5.1/7.1 HyperSurround). Each dual-path channel offers up to 6 inputs (2 mic/line + 4 line), two cascadable 4-band EQs, optional ES-108 dynamics, 24 buses (expandable to 48 via the Audio Cube) and 8 aux buses. Machine control (3 ATRs/VTRs over RS-422, MMC, TimeLine Lynx) and timecode sync make it a post-production and broadcast tool as much as a music console.
Its place in history rests on a rare trade-off: the recall and dynamic-automation comfort of a digital desk, on an analog audio path praised as transparent and quiet. Priced from $177,800 (CS3000-2-40) to nearly $500,000 (large-format film CS3000F-4-104), it equipped music, post and broadcast facilities. It also marks the end of an era: from 1999 Euphonix shifted to the all-digital System 5, before being acquired by Avid in 2010 and folding its EuCon technology into that ecosystem.
- Scott Silfvast, Co-founder / system designer
- Rob Silfvast, Engineering / EQ design
- Adam Reif, Co-founder
Notable users
- Björk
Euphonix CS2000 console installed in Björk's private studio (reported by pro communities).
- Tears for Fears
A CS3000 (upgraded from a CS2000) from a Tears for Fears studio, resold by Larking's.
- Alanis Morissette / Santana / Seal / Bruce Springsteen
Grammy-winning recordings made on Euphonix CS2000/CS3000 consoles (specialist dealer).
- Alchemea College of Audio Engineering (Londres)
London audio engineering school that ran a CS3000 (article “Bye Bye CS3000”).
- Hans Zimmer
Studio A at Media Ventures, Hans Zimmer’s facility, is fitted with a CS3000 with ES108 dynamics and a Cube expansion (2002 studio profile).
Links
- Archive Euphonix: Wikipedia (company history) en.wikipedia.org
- Press article Mix Magazine : Field Test CS3000 (Mel Lambert) mediaandmarketing.com
- Forum Audiofanzine: CS3000 user reviews en.audiofanzine.com
- Personal site Larking's: CS3000 description/specs (ex-Tears for Fears) larkingslist.com
- Forum Gearspace: CS-3000 discussion gearspace.com
Related consoles
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Documents are archived locally for preservation. Source credited. Takedown requests: [email protected]