Studio Des Dames - Studio console & amps early 70's ?

[aiff]

.....

[flipps]

I'm also interested in this subject, and recently I noticed the photo in the inner booklet of Live&Dangerous by Thin Lizzy - which in the caption says studio des dames, paris - on the photo is LP record and beneath it something that looks like a Trident B range monitor module...

[Charlie H]

Hi,
The Studio des Dames console in early 70' was in 74' a Polygram 32 channels which was quadriphonic with joystick pan, gate and comp on each channel, VCA automation of mute and fader, no classic VU meters but a bargraph video system built by NTP and the first worlwide 32 bus digital routing with digital display Etc...
The console was until 2008 at Recall studio in Paris. Apparently this studio went bankrupt in 2008.
I hope this Help.

More infos in french following:

Exercice de style conçu sans concession ni limite de budget par les ingénieurs de Philips (dont le futur inventeur du CD) pour les studios Polygram, elle propose dès 1974 un compresseur/gate par voie, création maison qui inspira beaucoup SSL, ainsi qu’une automation par VCA des mutes et des faders ! Elle est quadriphonique (équipée d’un système de codage 4 en 2, précurseur du Dolby Stereo), dispose de 32 bus, et possède le premier système de routing électronique par affichage au monde. Autrement dit, chaque voie est pourvue de deux roues codeuses : si on désire l’envoyer sur le départ 21, il faut placer la première sur “2” et la seconde sur “1”. Ce système dispense d’implanter 32 switches sur la tranche (mais rend impossible l’affectation d’une même tranche sur plusieurs pistes, NDR). Quant aux panoramiques, ce sont des joysticks qui permettent d’explorer les quatre directions. Les retours du multipiste sont assurés par une section “monitor” séparée, dépourvue d’égalisation : le concept in-line n’existait pas encore ! La console peut donc accueillir 56 modulations en mixage (32+24). Ses correcteurs incluent passe-haut (de 20 à 400 Hz), passe-bas (de 2 kHz à 20 kHz), un Baxendall grave (35 à 350 Hz), un Baxendall aigu (1 à 12 kHz), de même qu’un “vrai” paramétrique (+/-20 dB, Q de 0,2 à 10). Elle possède sept départs effet, dont trois servent de “foldback” (écoute casque), et quatre retours réverb (mono, à l’époque). La gestion des statuts de piste (“input”, lecture, lecture synchrone) ainsi que la préparation en enregistrement s’effectue depuis la console. Son ergonomie est particulièrement étudiée : le gain (72 dB !) se situe en bas de la tranche, les inscriptions diverses et les points zéro des potentiomètres sont toujours dirigés vers l’ingénieur du son et non vers le haut, etc.
Les niveaux du multipiste ne sont indiqués par des VUmètres ordinaires, mais visualisés sur moniteur par un système de bargraphes vidéo, fabriqué par NTP, avec changement de couleur selon le statut de la piste (Safe, Ready, Record). La télécommande audio du 24 pistes et du NTP est incluse dans la console. Autre particularité rare : celle-ci dispose du système Multitrack qui permet, en configuration enregistrement, d’écouter la superposition du signal déjà présent sur le 24, lu par la tête de synchro, et du son direct (c’est-à-dire les micros ou les instruments reliés à la console) sans “saute” de niveau au moment du drop, où pourtant, d’un seul coup, le retour du signal enregistré vient s’ajouter au signal direct, ce qui signifie +6 dB dans l’écoute... Exclusivité mondiale et coûteuse, passant par un circuit d’atténuation “intelligente” !
Dernière particularité : la console ne repose pas sur le sol par quatre pieds, mais elle est “suspendue” par un système de poutres, dissimulé à l’intérieur, en forme de U dont une des branches repose sur le sol et l’autre supporte les tranches elles-mêmes. Par conséquent, la console donne l’impression de “flotter”, car elle ne semble toucher le sol que d’un côté, celui de la courbe du U. Ce “vide” permet d’éviter certains problèmes liés aux ondes stationnaires. Le patch 12x32 points tient lui aussi de la pièce de musée : il est au standard Tüschel, encombrant mais indestructible, et occupe une bonne partie d’un mur de la cabine.

[White Falcon]

And Babel Fish says:

Exercise of style conceived without concession nor limit of budget by the engineers of Philips (of which the future inventor of CD) for the Polygram studios, she proposes since 1974 a compressor/spoils by way, house creation which inspired much SSL, as well as an automation by VCA of transfer and the faders! It is quadraphonic (equipped with a system of coding 4 into 2, precursor of Dolby Stereo), has 32 buses, and has the first electronic system of routing by posting in the world. In other words, each way is equipped with two wheels coders: if one wishes to send it on departure 21, it is necessary to place the first on “2” and the second on “1”. This system exempts to establish 32 switches on the section (but impossible the assignment of the same section makes on several tracks, NDR). As for panoramic, in fact joysticks make it possible to explore the four directions. The returns of multitrack are ensured by a section “monitor” separated, deprived of equalization: the concept in-line did not exist yet! The console can thus accomodate 56 modulations in mixing (32+24). Its correctors include high-pass (from 20 to 400 Hz), low-pass (of 2 Khz with 20 Khz), serious Baxendall (35 to 350 Hz), acute Baxendall (1 to 12 Khz), just as a parametric “truth” (+-20 dB, Q from 0,2 to 10). It has seven departures effect, of which three serve as “foldback” (listening helmet), and four returns réverb (mono, at the time). The management of the statutes of track (“input”, reading, synchronous reading) as well as the preparation in recording is carried out since the console. Its ergonomics is particularly studied: the profit (72 dB!) is located in bottom of the section, the various inscriptions and items zero of the potentiometers are always directed towards the etc, sound engineer and not upwards The levels of multitrack are not indicated by Monitors ordinary, but visualized on monitor by a system of video bargraphes, manufactured by NTP, with change of color according to the statute of the track (Safe, Ready, Record). The audio remote control of the 24 tracks and the NTP is included in the console. Another rare characteristic: this one has the Multitrack system which allows, in configuration recording, to listen to the superposition of the signal already present on the 24, read by the head of synchro, and the direct sound (i.e. microphones or instruments connected to the console) without “change” of level at the time of the drop, where however, from only one blow, the return of the recorded signal comes to be added to the direct signal, which means +6 dB in listening… World and expensive exclusiveness, passing by a circuit of “intelligent” attenuation! Last characteristic: the console does not rest on the ground by four feet, but it “is suspended” by a system of beams, dissimulated inside, U-shaped of which one of the branches rests on the ground and other supports the sections themselves. Consequently, the console gives the impression “to float”, because it seems to touch the ground only one side, that of the curve of U. This “vacuum” makes it possible to avoid certain problems involved in the standing waves. The patch 12x32 points also holds him of the museum piece: it is with the Tüschel standard, cumbersome but indestructible, and occupies a good part of a wall of the cabin.

Clouseau anyone...

[baikonour]

Super info, merci!

Do you know what console was used before '74?

Lots of great sounding records were done there: 1st Magma records, I think 666 by Aphrodite's child as well as Gainsbourg (overdubs and mixing)

[Charlie H]

Great translation.
Thanks.

[Jean Jolivet]

Hi guys! I bought a 24x16x4x2 Polygram Console, 15 years a go! iI'm located in Argentina, South America. I
t is just as you described!
It standns in U metal shaped leg! Loocks as suspended on the air!
Has Tuchell connctors, pach bay, 8 DBX compressors & gates, each microphone channell, with the described controls, that you mentioned!!
It is very musical sounding device!!

I'm refurbishing it! The Thin Films, discrete cirquits, blow once in a while! We are working, on replacing the Thin Film stabilizers, which feed the Thin Film, discrete amps, (this parts, feed the eqs and other channel parts) They have 18 thin film operationals, on every channels, plus, five, Thin Film stabilizers, to deliver 20 volts posite & negative, on every operational! I belive, is the firts split console, build ever...
Quadrophenia (The Who) & Thick As A Brick (Jetro Tull), seems to been made, on one of this mixers!!
It comes, with two smalls speakers, like dual concentrics, with his own power amp!!
So... it is a great piece of equippment! Never regreat the day I got it!
It is compare with a Neve console...on the same level, of high quality audio & construction!
Somebody toll me, that Ruper Neve worked, on this design...prior to work on his own...i don't know!
It has Siemmens electronic parts, mostly!
If somebody has any info! Is more than welcome!
I know, that a small amount, where custom made in Holland for Polygram, Recordind branch, on 1975/75, on whas delivered to my country...
Salute you all!
Regards
Jean Gabriel Jolivet

[Jean Jolivet]

Originally Posted by flipps

I'm also interested in this subject, and recently I noticed the photo in the inner booklet of Live&Dangerous by Thin Lizzy - which in the caption says studio des dames, paris - on the photo is LP record and beneath it something that looks like a Trident B range monitor module...

Hi! I sent a repply on the subjet you guys opened!
Regards Jean Jolivet

[2N1305]

For Goodness sake, how can you guys NOT POST pictures!

Please feed my electronically warped mind!

I'm sure I am not the only one who demands to see this vintage piece of European engineering...

Come on, give us some pictures...

[Charlie H]

Sorry i haven't any picture of the console.

[Rive-K]

Hello Guys

I was the owner of Recall Studios in Paris (now is Claudia Sounds Studio) , we still have the desk, it's now on sale with a A80 Mk2 24 tracks studer for 25000€

best
Stephane

[kasperff]

Hi verry intrested... can you contact me kasper27@gmail.com