AMEK M2000A

The AMEK M2000A (a.k.a. AMEK M2500) is a computer-automated 36-input/24-output recording & mixing console from the late 1970s & early 1980s, manufactured by AMEK systems. It came as part of an AMEK system with 4-band parametric eq, VCA faders, mix/monitor bus and so on.

Genesis had an AMEK M2000A/M2500 desk installed in 1981 as their first desk at their private studio on Fisher Lane Farm in Surrey - a.k.a. The Farm. This particular console was used for the recording & mixing of Abacab (1981) and Genesis (1983) albums, as well as for each band member's solo projects (whether partially or fully recorded at The Farm) during the intervening period.

Regarding the gated reverb sounds heard on some tracks, Kepex noise gates were probably used; the original drum sound on Peter Gabriel's "Intruder" and "In The Air Tonight" was achieved with an SSL desk at The Town House (London) with built-in noise gates & compressors, which the AMEK did not have... hence the conclusion.

Eventually, in 1984/85 the decision was made to upgrade the studio, which included replacing the AMEK with the larger SSL 56-channel console. The control room was redeveloped and expanded to accommodate the SSL, and the desk was finally installed before the recording of Invisible Touch in Summer 1985.