Fairchild 660 Compressor in 500 Series Format!! By Anamod AM660

[raal]

Anamod Audio ....and here we go again.

[laser]

Originally Posted by raal

Anamod Audio ....and here we go again.

Yowsa.

.....ummmmm, how 'bout posting a clip of it in action?













just kidding

Laser

[RoundBadge]

Ok ,this is just getting plain bizzarre.
I say "bring it",I'll compare it to the real thing.



..

[Dirty Halo]

I HATE these guys (in a loving way).

Why why why oh why do they do this? I was JUST thinking, man, I'm good for gear

I do't know a damn thing about this thing, but I KNOW my Anamod is all that I hoped, so if I'm to extrapolate...

So, is this thing real?

Does it exist yet?

Is it available?

What?

The only thing that bothers me about these guys are they just screw with us and put stuf like this on their site... little info please!


-a

[raal]

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

So, is this thing real? Does it exist yet?

will be presented at NAMM.

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by raal

will be presented at NAMM.

Ahhh, thanks.

I know there's a need for hype, but it gets so frustrating for me knowing that the reality is a year away until it is realistically available to us.

Guess I need to go meditate and remember, use what I have.... use what I have...

-a

[flute player]

OK let's see how long it takes to get this baby released on the market.
The ATS-1 took a long, loooong, loooooooong time

greetz,

Paul

[RoundBadge]

So Andrews I take it the Amod has replaced your Studer?
I've been trying to rent one for ABing with the ATS I have here.

[indie]

What the crap!!!!????? I'm so confused. So, it emulates compression with an algorithm, not actually a real compressor??

[Dave Peck]

Originally Posted by indie

What the crap!!!!????? I'm so confused. So, it emulates compression with an algorithm, not actually a real compressor??

No, it's a compressor with an all-analog signal chain, just like other analog compressors. But the analog circuitry is digitally CONTROLLED to (allegedly) cause the analog circuitry to emulate a 660, without having to use all of the expensive & obsolete hardware of a real 660. And it crams a huge heavy device into a 500 series module......

CORRECTION 1/20/08 - I just spoke with these folks while I was at NAMM and it is not digitally controlled. It's all analog processing.

[3rd world order]

it actually is linked to a real fairchild thru wormhole technology..

problem is that only one anamod 660 owner can use it at a time... as soon as the parallel universe module is perfected then we can all use it.

patience

[indie]

Originally Posted by Dave Peck

No, it's a compressor with an all-analog signal chain, just like other analog compressors. But the analog circuitry is digitally CONTROLLED to (allegedly) cause the analog circuitry to emulate a 660, without having to use all of the expensive & obsolete hardware of a real 660. And it crams a huge heavy device into a 500 series module......

Ahh, I see, thanks Dave. That's crazy cool!

[Brad McGowan]

The website doesn't seem to indicate whether it's a compressor not. It just says:

"The AM660 is a faithful recreation of the classic sound and compression profile of the 660, using the AnaMod™ process to model the complex tube circuitry of the 660 and implement it entirely in the analog domain."

So that leads me to believe it's essentially an analog algorithm being processed in a little box to sound like a real compressor (can anyone from Anamod clarify?). What I really like about this concept is how much it hurts the brains of analog purists. It's a mathematical process, but just not digital. It's an analog "plugin" essentially.

Brad

[TRW]

I too find the process intriguing...I wish they would come out with some form of block diagram or something to explain this and the AnaMod tape box.

Are we essentially looking at some form of analogue circuit build to produce an output response that matches tape or a 660 when fed from an input stimulus response.

So they are digitally modelling the IR and then implementing in analogue?

Analogue convolution/modelling... hmmm.

Greg etc please give us more info!
Cheesr Tom

P.S Anyone know where they are getting those small VUs from?

[Roman]

From this web page:
Pro Sound News Europe - AnaMod debuts with analogue tape simulator

ATS-1 features a two-track analogue tape machine, offering speed selection, bias, low frequency and high frequency EQ, and the option to add tape hiss. It also incorporates something that Amels and Gualtieri have dubbed the 'AnaMod Process'. "Firstly, it's the way in which we design a set of analogue building blocks for doing the things that make analogue sound like analogue - distortion, frequency response and so on. [Then it's] taking the mathematical model or transfer curves that you get when you model an analogue circuit, and turning it into resistor and capacitor values on these analogue building blocks."

Otherwise email them from their site. They replied to me, although not really answering my questions.

[narcoman]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

The website doesn't seem to indicate whether it's a compressor not. It just says:

"The AM660 is a faithful recreation of the classic sound and compression profile of the 660, using the AnaMod™ process to model the complex tube circuitry of the 660 and implement it entirely in the analog domain."

So that leads me to believe it's essentially an analog algorithm being processed in a little box to sound like a real compressor (can anyone from Anamod clarify?). What I really like about this concept is how much it hurts the brains of analog purists. It's a mathematical process, but just not digital. It's an analog "plugin" essentially.

Brad

No its a compressor using analogue components - it's just the analogue components are on boards rather than discrete capacitors etc... a full blown valve circuit is "nothing more than" a physical implementation of an algorithm. Interested in checking it out....

[Rob King]

Kinda strange, but cool, but...a Fairchild 500 Series? hmm, I will be listening to this at NAMM. The Anamod guys were the Bomb Factory Guys I believe. Is this a hardware version of the Bomb Factory 660 Plugin?

[raal]

greg told me it was ok to post this soon to be released press blurb so here it is:

AnaMod to Exhibit Analog Modeled Compressor
(Gillette, New Jersey, USA - January 15, 2008) - AnaMod will demonstrate the AM660 compressor module at the 2008 Winter NAMM show (booth 4186) in Anaheim. The AM660, list price $1295.00, is compatible with the API 500 series rack and represents the first analog compressor created by the AnaMod™ Process. Precise mathematical models were created from the classic 1950s variable-mu 660 compressor. These models were used to synthesize the analog hardware of the AM660.
AnaMod's co-founder Dave Amels says, "It's amazing that something solid-state and as small as the AM660 can sound and operate like the 45 pound original 660." Greg Gualtieri adds, "People will really understand how powerful a tool the AnaMod™ Process is after they try the AM660."
Also on display at Winter NAMM is the highly popular ATS-1 (Analog Tape Simulator) along with the previously demonstrated optional 351 tape machine and 111 tape formulation cards. For more information contact Greg Gualtieri or Dave Amels at telephone number (201) 728-8490 or email <mailto:info@anamodaudio.com> info@anamodaudio.com.

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

So Andrews I take it the Amod has replaced your Studer?
I've been trying to rent one for ABing with the ATS I have here.

Hmmm... well, yeah, I think it has. The Studer leaving is a painful prospect and if space were not an issue... well, I'm sort of forcing myself to do it.

The Anamod is amazing and does wha I hoped it would do, but I still wouldn't let my Studer go if space were not an issue. I'm bummed to be honest.

-a


P.S. Were do you rent yours from? And what kind of decks do you ususually rent? For just final mixes, that may be a way or me to go too.

[84K]

Wow! That looks cool!! I take it they released this at NAMM? I am loving the ATS-1 so I will have to try this out. I hope we don't have to wait long for it to ship.

[initialsBB]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

It's a mathematical process, but just not digital. It's an analog "plugin" essentially.

Hmm, only in the sense that every analog circuit is a mathematical process right? It sounds to me like they are measuring the circuits they want to recreate, creating a "mathematical model" of them, and then using that to design analog circuitry. Which is probably the same process lots of other designers use, isn't it? Minus the catchy marketing name for the process.

[TRW]

Originally Posted by initialsBB

Hmm, only in the sense that every analog circuit is a mathematical process right? It sounds to me like they are measuring the circuits they want to recreate, creating a "mathematical model" of them, and then using that to design analog circuitry. Which is probably the same process lots of other designers use, isn't it? Minus the catchy marketing name for the process.

Exactly!

Integration, differentiation, multiplication, division, logarithm....these are 'all mathematical modelling devices' used in analogue circuit design.

I wish they would provide more technical info besides the marketing...

That little bit of blurb on the website is no more interesting than a blank HTML page.

Come on guys! We're interested!
T

[Rob King]

Ok, there is a thread over in the New Product area but I think the 500 Fans will kinda dig this idea. I can't wait to hear it.

Anamod Audio



The Fairchild 660 limiter is arguably one of the most famous and sought-after compressors ever made. The magical way it adds density and dimension to a track or a mix has been demonstrated on many of the best-sounding records made in the last 50 years.

The AM660 is a faithful recreation of the classic sound and compression profile of the 660, using the AnaMod™ process to model the complex tube circuitry of the 660 and implement it entirely in the analog domain. Unlike a digital plug-in or processor based outboard gear, there is no latency, and no A/D or D/A conversions to compromise the sound.


AM 660 Specifications

Input Impedance: 20KΩ, balanced
Output Impedance: less than 50Ω
Max. Output Level: +27dBu, balanced
Input Gain: -20 to +20 dB
Frequency Response: +/- 1 dB from 40Hz to 15kHz
Noise Level: better than 73dB below +4dBu, 0-30kHz
Limiting Noises: same level as a vintage 660 with GE five star 6386 tubes and properly balanced
Total Harmonic Distortion: level- and compression-dependent
Compression Ratio: Variable from 1: 1 to 20:1, level-dependent

Time Constants: 1-6 are the classic 660 time constants, 2a and 2b are variations on #2
Position Attack Time Release Time

1 0.2ms 0.3s
2 0.2ms 0.8s
2a 0.2ms 1s
2b 0.2ms 2s
3 0.4ms 2s
4 0.8ms 5s
5 0.4ms Auto, as in 660 #5
6 0.2ms Auto, as in 660 #6

[Dirty Halo]

I want to love this thing... but my heart can't take another year of longing and waiting

The Anamod, the Toft and a long history of everything rom vapor-ware to just long waits, I hope we can encourage our "creator" friends to put a stop to this. I know the need for hype, but sometimes they run into dangerous backlash territory.

-a

[Tone Laborer]

That's gotta be one tiny VU.

Not that I couldn't put on my reading glasses.

[scifijedi]

OH, THIS LOOKS LIKE THE 500 REVOLUTION IS KICKING IT INTO THE NEXT GEAR......MMMMAN THAT LOOKS LIKE I NEED IT......A YEAR HUH???

[Winey]

I was checking the date for April 1st when I read this threads title.

[Kiwiburger]

So it has real tubes and transformers ... ? Call me cynical, but my interpretation of "Anamod" is that these guys have seem the way we are buying digital plugin emulations of high end gear, and convincing ourselves that they sound the same. So if they "model" high end gear with cheap analog circuits we will probably be just as happy with a slightly more real fake.

The noise floor looks like it could be dodgy - if the best they can say is it's about the same as the real tubes.

Isn't this just the same as stomp boxes that allegedly "sound just like a Marshall" or whatever?

Very few of us have ever heard a real Fairchild, so I suppose we will buy it and rave about it.

Just because we've been conditioned to salivate over the brandname doesn't mean it's the real deal.

I'll believe it if I see it/hear it.

[GYang]

Originally Posted by Rob King

Ok, there is a thread over in the New Product area but I think the 500 Fans will kinda dig this idea. I can't wait to hear it.

Anamod Audio



The Fairchild 660 limiter is arguably one of the most famous and sought-after compressors ever made. The magical way it adds density and dimension to a track or a mix has been demonstrated on many of the best-sounding records made in the last 50 years.

The AM660 is a faithful recreation of the classic sound and compression profile of the 660, using the AnaMod™ process to model the complex tube circuitry of the 660 and implement it entirely in the analog domain. Unlike a digital plug-in or processor based outboard gear, there is no latency, and no A/D or D/A conversions to compromise the sound.


AM 660 Specifications

Input Impedance: 20KΩ, balanced
Output Impedance: less than 50Ω
Max. Output Level: +27dBu, balanced
Input Gain: -20 to +20 dB
Frequency Response: +/- 1 dB from 40Hz to 15kHz
Noise Level: better than 73dB below +4dBu, 0-30kHz
Limiting Noises: same level as a vintage 660 with GE five star 6386 tubes and properly balanced
Total Harmonic Distortion: level- and compression-dependent
Compression Ratio: Variable from 1: 1 to 20:1, level-dependent

Time Constants: 1-6 are the classic 660 time constants, 2a and 2b are variations on #2
Position Attack Time Release Time

1 0.2ms 0.3s
2 0.2ms 0.8s
2a 0.2ms 1s
2b 0.2ms 2s
3 0.4ms 2s
4 0.8ms 5s
5 0.4ms Auto, as in 660 #5
6 0.2ms Auto, as in 660 #6

I don't expect this to do any miracle.
Like 1st April joke it is OK.

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by GYang

I don't expect this to do any miracle.
Like 1st April joke it is OK.

I dunno... when Greg and Dave get together scary things start to happen... now I'm generally "Mr. Cynical"... but I can't wait to give this thing a ride around the block [which Greg told me a couple of weeks ago could be much sooner than later].

We'll see.

Though we could just do the GS sheep thing and either mount this sucker on the mantel or hang it from the yardarm depending on the prevailing passing fancy of the moment.