Mercury Recording Equipment Studio Soul 242 24:2 Mixing System

The Mercury Recording Equipment Studio Soul 242 is a 24:2 Class A discrete mixing system designed to bring the width, depth, channel isolation, and tonal character of a large-format console into DAW-centric studios in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, and professional recording environments worldwide. At its core is a fully discrete Class A mix amplifier, with fully balanced inputs across all 24 channels and transformer-balanced stereo bus outputs — delivering the analogue warmth and mix cohesion of a discrete console without the footprint or complexity of a full-size frame. A two-band Baxandall stereo bus EQ, dual bus insert points, per-channel inserts on all 24 inputs, and selectable channel panning give engineers comprehensive tone-shaping and routing control directly at the two-bus stage. The Studio Soul 242 is handcrafted by Marquette Audio Labs in California, USA, and is expandable to 48:2 operation with the Studio Soul 2548 expansion unit.

Key Features

• Fully discrete Class A mix amplifier — all 24 input channels run through a fully discrete, fully balanced Class A signal path with no input transformers; transformer-balanced stereo bus outputs deliver analogue character and mix cohesion at the two-bus stage
• Two-band Baxandall stereo bus EQ — passive Baxandall-style EQ on the stereo bus with 41-position detented controls on both bands for precise recall; Low (Bass): ±10dB at 10Hz and ±5dB at 175Hz simultaneously; High (Treble): ±6dB at 20kHz and ±3dB at 2.5kHz simultaneously
• Dual stereo bus inserts — Insert A operates pre-stereo EQ, suited to external stereo EQs; Insert B operates post-stereo EQ, suited to stereo compressors and limiters; both inserts can be used independently or in combination for parallel or series analogue processing chains; I/O via 8 gold-pin XLRs (send and return L/R for each insert)
• Per-channel inserts on all 24 inputs — balanced insert send and return on every channel for inline analogue processing; insert sends also function as direct outputs when used pre-insert, enabling recording processed or dry signals back to the DAW; DB25 connectivity across four rows for sends, inputs, returns, and return multiples
• Selectable channel panning — channels 1–8 each have selectable Left, Right, Center, or Mono routing; channels 9–24 are fixed with odd channels panned left and even channels panned right
• Output Gain switch — 0dB or +6dB — selectable output stage gain; +6dB recommended for optimal level into the stereo bus
• Monitor out and headphone outputs — balanced XLR monitor output; two gold-pin XLR balanced headphone amp outputs (L/R) for external headphone amplifiers; dedicated combination XLR/¼″ headphone jack for direct monitoring
• 41-detent custom controls — Gain, Level, and EQ controls all use 41-position detented potentiometers for consistent feel, precise adjustment, and straightforward recall
• Expandable to 48:2 — compatible with the Studio Soul 2548 24-channel expansion unit (coming soon) for 48:2 mixing system operation
• Upgradeable to Studio Soul 242 Pro — input transformers for 8, 16, or 24 channels can be added post-purchase; installation is user-serviceable
• Handcrafted by Marquette Audio Labs — California, USA — 2U aluminum chassis with metallic gray powder-coat finish; 25W external power supply included; 2-year limited warranty on equipment

Specifications

• Format: 24:2; 2U aluminum chassis
• Architecture: Fully discrete Class A; fully balanced
• Input Channels: 24
• Input Transformers: None on channels 1–24
• Stereo Bus Outputs: Transformer-balanced (L/R)
• Output Gain Switch: 0dB or +6dB
• Monitor Out: Balanced XLR
• Headphone Amp Out: 2 × gold-pin XLR balanced (L/R)
• Headphone Jack: Combination XLR/¼″
• Stereo Bus EQ: 2-band Baxandall; Low ±10dB @10Hz / ±5dB @175Hz; High ±6dB @20kHz / ±3dB @2.5kHz; 41-position detented controls
• Channel Panning: Ch 1–8 selectable (L/C/R/Mono); Ch 9–24 fixed (odds = L; evens = R)
• Channel Inserts: 24 × balanced (send + return); Row 1 DB25: insert sends 1–24; Row 3 DB25: insert returns 1–24; Row 4 DB25: insert return mult 1–24
• Line Inputs: Row 2 DB25 (inputs 1–24)
• DB25 Connectors: 4 × (Row 1: insert sends; Row 2: line inputs; Row 3: insert returns; Row 4: insert return mult)
• Stereo Bus Inserts: Insert A (pre-EQ); Insert B (post-EQ); 8 × gold-pin XLR (send L/R + return L/R per insert)
• Ground Lug: Yes
• Expansion: Studio Soul 2548 (coming soon) for 48:2 operation
• Power: 25W external supply (included)
• Weight: ~10 lbs
• Warranty: 2-year limited (equipment)
• Manufactured: Marquette Audio Labs; California, USA