Pick the Box in the Rack Professor K

Pick the Box in the Rack! Professor K Kelly A survey of landmark outboard processors, both vintage and modern, commonly used in the professional recording studio. 10/2/2020 1

Microphone Preamp Flavors l Tube designs (both vintage and modern) l Solid State (often from classic consoles) l Integrated Circuits (IC’s, chips) Just because it’s old and has tubes doesn’t mean it sounds good! Experienced recording engineers commonly match the timbre of various microphone preamps to the task at hand. Some of the “classic” tube and solid state designs have a unique character that may or may not enhance the translation of a musical performance. Right brain adjectives like “warm”, “big”, “punchy” and the like, describe the nuances of these processors. In very general terms, “character pres” tend to be tube and solid state, while the best of the modern IC designs can provide clean, accurate amplification. 10/2/2020 2

The “V”s - German broadcast tube preamps The V 72 was introduced in 1953 and manufactured through the early 70’s. Often considered a LINE rather than MIC preamp, the V 72 provides approximately 35 d. B of fixed gain The V 76 boasts 76 db of adjustable gain and Hi/Lo pass filters FOR MORE INFO. . . • See Fletcher’s article (handout) • http: //members. ozemail. com. au/~gwagner/v 72. htm 10/2/2020 3

Solid State Mic pre’s from classic consoles The original API 512 was found in the classic American API consoles of the 70’s. Here is a current version using the same classic design based on the 2520 Op- amp (operational amplifier). The Neve 1272 was used as a line amp in the classic British Neve consoles of the 70’s. When asked about the trend of rewiring these as mic pre’s, Rupert Neve said “Why Not!” FOR MORE INFO. . . • See Fletcher’s article (handout) • http: //www. apiaudio. com • http: //www. ams-neve. com 10/2/2020 4

Modern IC based Mic preamps The Grace Design MP 201 stereo microphone preamp found in the NCC Digital Audio Lab, is representative of high quality current technology. Please understand that there are many manufacturers making high quality mic preamps including, but not limited to, Great River, GML, Millenia Media and more. The bottom link below will connect you to a “listening party / shotout” of various preamps. FOR MORE INFO. . . • http: //www. gracedesign. com/products/201/model 201. htm • http: //www. 3 daudioinc. com/3 daudio_prelp. html 10/2/2020 5

Outboard Equalizers l Tube designs (both vintage and modern) l Solid State (often from classic consoles) l Integrated Circuits (IC’s, chips) “Parametric EQ is, for the most part, used badly. It gives the user the ability to phasedistort the signal into complete submission. Very few in our profession should be granted a parametric license. This is one of the reasons that older (selectable) EQ designs are so sought after. ” Fletcher, Mix Magazine, 1996 10/2/2020 6

3 band console EQ’s The Neve 1073 (left) is a classic British 3 band selectable equalizer (plus lo -cut filter) that also includes a mic preamp. Here are four API 550 A 3 band selectable frequency EQ’s originally from a circa 1975 American console, now mounted in a “lunchbox”. FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. apiaudio. com http: //www. ams-neve. com Fletcher’s article 10/2/2020 7

4 band console EQ’s The API 550 B 4 band selectable EQ (right) has a peak/shelf bandwidth switch in the top and bottom band. The Neve 1081 (racked pair displayed above) is a classic British 4 band selectable equalizer (plus lo-cut filer) that also includes a mic preamp. FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. apiaudio. com http: //www. ams-neve. com Fletcher’s article 10/2/2020 8

Vintage tube EQ’s Pultec (Pulse Technologies) EQP-1 A tube program equalizer actually employs a passive EQ circuit using tubes for gain make-up compensation for the inherent insertion loss of the passive EQ. The Pultec MEQ-5 midrange tube EQ has two bands of boost and one of cut that are focused in the midrange. Found in silver and “Pultec bluegreen” they sound great on electric guitar. (above -front, below-rear) As with many classic processors on this list, the Pultec EQP-1 A is now a popular DAW plug-in. FOR MORE INFO. . . Fletcher’s article http: //www. danalexanderaudio. com/Outboard. html (actual schematics and user manuals) 10/2/2020 9

Modern EQ designs The GML (George Massenburg Labs) 8200 5 band stereo parametric program EQ is a perfect example of current state-of- the-art design. In spite of Fletcher’s caveat (slide 6) this EQ allows surgically precise narrow adjustments as well as broad shading. George Massenburg and Burgess Mac. Neal of Sontec are credited with designing the first true parametric EQ. 10/2/2020 10

Gates: Kepex & Drawmer Allison Research made the very first analog gates called Kepex’s. The company later became Valley People and currently Galaxy Audio. The Kepex II’s are favored by many engineers, especially on kick drums, where they retain a full bass unlike other manufacturers gates. To the left is a rack of four Kepex II’s with power supply. The Drawmer DS 201 (below) you should recognize from the lab. In addition to a “HOLD” control, the Drawmer adds a useful side chain filter that can be applied to the threshold sensor’s signal. FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. drawmer. com/ds 201. htm 10/2/2020 11

Compressors & Limiters The gain reduction devices in this list fall into three very general categories: • VCA based compressor (like dbx) • OPTO compressors (like UREI) • Compressors with vacuum tube Gain Make-up FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //psbg. emusician. com/ar/emusic_big_squeeze Fletcher’s diatribe 10/2/2020 12

Classic dbx VCA based compressors These classic dbx compressors were introduced in the 1970’s and are still sought after today for their unique sound. The 160 VU (right) began the tradition. The 162 (below) was a true stereo (NOT dual mono) compressor, and the 165 was the first VCA based unit with attack and release controls. It also introduced dbx’s trademarked “Overeasy” soft knee. FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //psbg. emusician. com/ar/emusic_big_squeeze Fletcher’s diatribe 10/2/2020 165 13

UREI (formerly Teletronix) “OPTO” compressors Bill Putnam Sr. was the designer of some of the finest optical compressors ever built. Teletronix became United Audio became UREI (United Radio Electronics Inc. ) They were bought out by JBL some years ago. However, Bill Putnam’s sons bought back the rights to the designs and have reformed United Audio some thirty years later. Pictured here are the original LA 2 A tube compressor (left), the newer solid state half rack LA 3 A (right), and the full featured 1176 LN (below) FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. cellostudios. com/history. htm http: //www. uaudio. com/company/history/bill_sr. html Fletcher’s diatribe 10/2/2020 165 14

Fairchild 670 THE classic vacuum tube compressor In addition to the Teletronix LA 2 A, there were quite a few tube compressors that have earned classic status. None more so than the Fairchild 670 (below left), designed right here in Long Island City, NY by George Alexandrovitch, it’s notoriety can be traced to another George, George Martin who used the Fairchild’s unique sound liberally on many Beatle records. The legendary 14 transformers, 20 vacuum tubes and six rack spaces have been distilled into a popular DAW Plug-in (right photo). FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. uaudio. com/webzine/2003/september/text/content 4. html Fletcher’s diatribe 10/2/2020 15

Vintage Tube Compressors …from the Broadcast Chain Radio stations always employ some form of “Automatic Gain Reduction” (AGC) between the output of their studios and the input of their transmitters. This keeps them LOUD, so that you don’t pass over them on the dial. The RCA BA 6 A was a tube compressor commonly found in AM stations 30 to 40 years ago. The recording industry has embraced this old design as a “character” compressor that’s great on vocals, bass and drum subs. FOR MORE INFO. . . Fletcher’s diatribe 10/2/2020 16

Modern compressors (both tube and solid state) Tube designs are still popular with modern pro audio manufacturers as evidenced by the Summit DCL 200 below. You should recognize this stereo buss compressor from VUDU FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. empiricallabs. com/ http: //www. summitaudio. com/ 10/2/2020 The Empirical Labs Distressor uses modern circuitry to deliver the distortion and warmth usually associated with vintage tube/optical designs. (picture shows two mono units) 17

De-Essers (Frequency dependant compression) A De-Esser is simply a compressor with a bandpass filter that only allows a narrow band of sibilance to be presented to the threshold sensor. The primary purpose is to reduce the sound of SSSSS’s in close mic’ed vocals. This is one area where most DAW users have switched to using plug-ins almost exclusively. While dbx and Valley People make hardware De-Essers, the Orban models are most common and work well. The Orban 526 A single channel De-Esser (below) 10/2/2020 18

“Channel Strip Processors” …or the all-in-one Mic preamp/EQ/Compressor It is not unreasonable for a project studio operator to want one high quality channel of electronics all in one chassis. Many Pro Audio manufacturers have entered this profitable arena at various price points with both good and bad results. The Avalon VT 737 is popular, well respected, and one of the firsttube based channel strip processors. This is a somewhat arbitrary choice for our list, so that this category is represented. Many other manufacturers like Focusrite, API, and Manley Labs have substantial offerings in this niche. Some even include Analog to Digital conversion. FOR MORE INFO. . . www. empiricallabs. com http: //www. avalondesign. com/review 12. html 10/2/2020 19

Reverb …erb Chronology of ambience processing: ØLive Rooms (with tape pre-delay) ØSpring Units ØPlates FOR MORE INFO. . . “It was United Audio’s Bill Putnam Sr. who was the first to use artificial reverb creatively on a pop recording in 1947, with the use of the first reverb chamber (the studio bathroom!). The result was a huge hit by The Harmonicats called "Peg o' My Heart" on his own Universal label. Having the ability to control reverb amount and turn the effect on and off at will was a major breakthrough. ” - uadio. com http: //www. uaudio. com/webzine/may/content 4. html This is a GREAT article! 10/2/2020 20

Spring Reverb…erb (boing) …erb Spring reverbs were popular in guitar amps, organ speakers and as a studio effect. Quick transients, like those presented by percussion instruments, created “chatter”which was unpleasant, but when used on legato sources they sounded smooth and pleasant. The simple Fisher Spacexpander (below) was introduced in 1964. Springs improved over the years. The AKG BX 20 Reverb tank (right) was state of the art in 1970. FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www 2. akg. com/akg_structuretree/powerslave, id, 39, nodeid, , mynodeid, 39, _language, EN. html 10/2/2020 21

The Plates German company EMT (Elektromesstecknik) made a huge breakthrough in 1957 with the release of the EMT 140 Reverberation Unit-- the first plate reverb (right). These large behemoths roamed the earth well into the eighties. A smaller “gold foil” unit, the EMT 240 (below) could fit into smaller spaces. Ironically, in 1976, EMT teamed up with American electronics company Dynatron to create the EMT 250 Electronic Reverberator Unit (bottom right) -and the first "practical" digital reverb was born. FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. uaudio. com/webzin+e/may/content 4. html 10/2/2020 22

Digital Reverbs As outlined in class, Lexicon has manufactured high quality digital reverberators for more than thirty years. Our list includes the PCM-70 (the first with a MIDI interface), the Lex 300, a common high quality studio reverb and the 960 XL, Lexicon’s current flagship model shown here with a LARC (Lexicon Alphanumeric Remote Control). FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. lexiconpro. com/products-pro. asp#processors 10/2/2020 23

PCM 42 Digital Delay Hands down the most respected dedicated digital delay in use in world class studios today is the PCM 42. Not surprisingly, this classic processor is now a Plug-In designed by PSP. FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. pspaudioware. com/indexen. html? url=http: //www. pspaudioware. com/plugins/psp 42. html 10/2/2020 24

Early Pitch & Delay Based Effects In the early seventies Eventide released the instant Phaser (1971 -77), H 910 Harmonizer (197584), and the Flanger (1976 -84). These classic effects processors are now popular plug-ins. FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. eventide. com/plugins/legacy_plugins. htm 10/2/2020 25

Multi-effect Processors In the mid eighties Eventide released the SP 2016 which, in addition to the pitch and delay effects they were famous for, included rooms and plates. Known for their Harmonizers, Eventide decided to return to using the “H” word to define their products. The H 3000 series (Vudu), the H 4000 and now the Orville Harmonizer. FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. eventide. com/broadcst/h 3000 bpl. htm http: //www. eventide. com/profaud/orvillebro. htm 10/2/2020 26

AMS Effect Processors Lest we think America is the only country to generate classic studio processors, Britain’s AMS (Advanced Music Systems) can not be overlooked. The AMS RMX 16 digital reverb compared favorably to the Lexicon units of the day, and the 1580 Harmonizer/Delay vied with Eventide in their specialty. Additionally, the 1580 was often used to “trap” replacement kicks and snares before samplers were common. FOR MORE INFO. . . http: //www. dancetech. com/aa_dt_new/hardware/item. cfm? threadid =2864&lang=0 10/2/2020 27