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Originally Posted by vince @ speck  Quantum was started by Don Sciarrotta and Howard Steele. Howard was the circuit/product designer and Don was an engineer/producer that owned a recording studio in Torrance, CA by the name of Quantum Studios.
The first mixers were made in a small building in Torrance. I ran the mixer company for a short period while I was getting my company (speck) going. The early mixers used early IC's like the 709 (don't ask), mic transformers, and had inductors for the EQ circuits. The mixers were painted sort of a cream color. They were, in my opinion, one of the first budget recording mixers made.
Howard was also a well known Hollywood engineer and co-owned a studio by the name of Studio 55. I don't know if the building is still there. Don added a second room to Quantum studios (That I helped design) and got very busy. Both Don & Howard lost interest in the mixer business and sold the company to a guy named John Pritchard (I think). He moved the company to Burbank, CA and with the help of local design talent, created a second generation of mixer that was mostly targeted to the broadcast industry. John passed away, the company went out of business. |
Studio 55 was originally Decca Studios (White Xmas was recorded there) and was on the Paramount Studios lot. It was run by Richard Perry and originally had Quantum consoles in both rooms. I ended up buying the smaller comsole from Studio B and used it for several years . The building is long gone sadly. There was also a Quantum in the mix room at Producer's workshop where a lot of Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, and Pink Floyd stuff was recorded but that was in the big room on a custom console. I think the Wall or some PF album was mixed on the Quantum which last I heard of it was with Wayne Gunn at Audio Village. The smaller Quantums were quite nice sounding and really punchy. Worst thing was the cheap faders.
Mark Linett