Spectra Sonics Pre/EQ???

[allencollins]

Originally Posted by SJRS

I read all these listings about comparing Pre's and EQ's and I want to have a go.

I have the chance to buy a Spectra Sonics desk and was wondering If anyone had used one and what do the pre/eq's sound like??

Hows it compare to neve pre's etc...?

Its got to sound better than alot of the cheaper desks even though it may not have as may options.

Cheers

Jason

I guess many 70's lps were recorded on them. From what Ive heard
they have the warmth of a neve and the punch of an API. I guess Toys in the Attic
was tracked and mixed on one. At least thats what Jay Messina told me via an email.

Also Some of Boston's first lp was done with spectr tronics I guess
Id love to get a pre or 2. I saw one on ebay last week

[kjcoral]

Originally Posted by allencollins

I guess many 70's lps were recorded on them. From what Ive heard
they have the warmth of a neve and the punch of an API. I guess Toys in the Attic
was tracked and mixed on one. At least thats what Jay Messina told me via an email.

Also Some of Boston's first lp was done with spectr tronics I guess
Id love to get a pre or 2. I saw one on ebay last week

TONS of records from the 70's were done on spectrasonic boards! many studios had them including both Stax and Ardent, i believe...i have a pre/EQ, an 1108, i think it's called but when i hooked it up, it burst into flame, so i haven't had a chance to check out how the pre and eq sound personally but i WILL get it fixed soon and let you know...

but you WILL have maintainance issues, for sure on most any board of that age and from what i remember, the spectrasonics had some unique problems all their own. but if it's working and you can get it cheaply enough, i would recommend it purely on that fact that good records were made with it.

my 2 cents...

[AmbientSound]

Thanks Guys. It sounds great.

I read somewhere that the original American Pie song/album was recorded on a spectra sonics

I have been told that it is in working condition and that it has the trannies installed on all the outputs.

Can't wait to get my hands on it

Cheers

Jason

[kjcoral]

i also have some docs. on the 1100 pre/eq if you need those at any point...just send me a message...

[AmbientSound]

Originally Posted by kjcoral

i also have some docs. on the 1100 pre/eq if you need those at any point...just send me a message...

Thanks for that. I will keep it in mind

[HudHudson]

I picked up that pair of 101 pres on eBay over the weekend...it'll be a while before I can fire them up (vacation next week) but I'll share my impressions here in a couple weeks. I have one of the 1100 6x1mixers but no 101 card(s) in that thing (110 card instead), I'm told the 101s are sweeter. BTW Terry over at R-E-P should have some comments on the SS stuff, which Ardent had when Terry was working there.

[rsolinski]

I have a pair of 101's (mic pre cards)..They are kinda cool. I hear the eq's are nice (passive "pultec" types) although I don't have any currently.. If the desk is reasonable and you dig the 70's sound/vibe get it..you won't be sorry..If you are racking these cards they can be a bear..the ground scheme is tricky/finicky...and they can only take 600 ohms on the input and output so you can only use 1:1 matching transformers..these guys are NOT loud as individual pres although I am sure the desks are fine....

Cheers,
Ray

[AmbientSound]

This is sounding better all the time. I can't wait!!!

[klangumwandler]

Although the EQ's use inductors they are nothing like Pultec's in topology, I'm afraid. They sit in the feedback loop of the 101 or 110 amp cards (35db to 50db gain), and take the place of the shunting feedback resistor used to set gain. If you use them as passive eq's the filter curves will be completely off. They are very well made (stepped LCR)/compact, and do sound good, just nothing like a Pultec in design or sound.

Best,

James

Originally Posted by rsolinski

I have a pair of 101's (mic pre cards)..They are kinda cool. I hear the eq's are nice (passive "pultec" types) although I don't have any currently.. If the desk is reasonable and you dig the 70's sound/vibe get it..you won't be sorry..If you are racking these cards they can be a bear..the ground scheme is tricky/finicky...and they can only take 600 ohms on the input and output so you can only use 1:1 matching transformers..these guys are NOT loud as individual pres although I am sure the desks are fine....

Cheers,
Ray

[Magnetic Rec Co]

I have a spectrasonic console. The pre amps are clear and transparent. The EQs are all step attenuated at 2dB intervals and each bandwidth (L, M, H) can be selected "in" individually. The EQ is softer and less coloured than a neve EQ, thank God.

When my site is up there will be pictures. I'll post links in due time.

Jeremy