Download the 2PP spec-sheet for the very obscure 360 systems Model 2800 programmable 4-band parametric EQ:
DOWNLOAD: 360_EQ
Four channels, fully parametric, with filters that offer +12 db/ -infinity (notch) operation, and 28 memory locations. The pre-plug-in plug-in. Anyone?
Download four pages of documentation regarding the M8 series of analog pitch-correction devices from the VSC corporation:
DOWNLOAD: VSC_Ana_Pitch_Cntrl
There were three models of these devices offered: the ready-made M8-C (above), which offered a pitch-shift range of 0.6x to 4.0x (with glorious 300-5Khz bandwidth); the M8-A was a expansion-only module, and the M8-B was a compression-only module.
If the idea of completely analog real-time pitch-shifting is not wacky enough for ya, how about mechanical pitch shifting? See this earlier post…
How y’all doing… tonight I’ll be behind the Garrard 301’s at Firehouse 12 in New Haven Connecticut, joining mi hermano Sway for another night of dark old rock soul + psych. Come on down to the best bar in CT and expand yr horizons, man.
UNSPUN at Firehouse 12
45 Crown St New Haven CT
Here is a one-of-a-kind unit using a re-purposed Thordarson transformer. IT works great, and the vintage Shurite (made in New Haven CT!!!) DC voltmeter is a bonus.
On the ‘business-end’ (topmost image) you can see XLR output jack (for connection to the input of your mic preamp), on/off switch, pot for controlling the DC voltage that mic receives, and at right the cable-exit for the seven-foot cable harness that connects to your double-button carbon mic. At right: red and black wires connect one-to-each button, and the clear wire connects to the metal shell of the mic.
For an explanation of WTF this thing is, and why you might possibly need it in your life, see this previous post.
Download an eight-panel catalog for the RCA “Starmaker” lineup of 1970s prosumer microphones:
DOWNLOAD: RCA_Starmaker_Mics
Not to be confused with the RCA BK-4 “Starmaker” hand-held ribbon mic of the 1950s, these later Starmakers were cheap prosumer and consumer units. Models on offer included the Starmaker 96, 97, 98, 101, 99, and 100. The top-of-the-range 96 has decent specs and useful features; gonna keep an eye out for that one.
Apparently built by a company called Programming Technologies (anyone???) and sold by Wes Dooley’s AEA firm, the Ecoplate is a well-regarded unit which has a pretty impressive frequency response for a mechanical reverb. If anyone out there is still using one of these, drop us a line with yr thoughts.
Download 8pp of sales + technical information regarding the “Master Room” XL-210 and XL-305 stereo spring reverbs manufactured in 1979 by MicMix of Dallas Texas.
DOWNLOAD:MicMix_210_305_reverbs
The 210 was the economy model. The 305 had optional balancing transformers. I regularly use a couple of other contemporary spring reverbs (Orban and Sound Workshop) but I’ve never had a MicMix unit. Anyone?
Download an 8pp 1980 sales flier from Boynton Studio, a long-running pro-audio dealer. Still in business, actually, after 60 years.
DOWNLOAD: BoyntonStudio_0980
I’d actually never heard of this company until I came across a bunch of these old fliers. They are apparently still ‘in-the-game,’ albeit as dealers of new gear only. You can see their site here. Anyhow, I thought I would offer this scan as a (potentially) interesting look back at how pro audio gear valuation has changed over the years – because I, like many engineers, still use a lot of this same kit today. The fact that there is so much used gear in the flier makes it even more interesting. Also: you could still get a new EV 667 in 1980 ??? I would not have imagined…
Download the original 4-page catalog for the EXR Exciter circa 1979:
If someone who was involved with the development of this product could please write-in and end the debate on these things: what exactly does this device do, processing wise? The catalog has an intense quasi-scientific account of human perception (going so far as mention Autism), and no real explanation of WTF this thing is actually doing besides some selective harmonic distortion addition, which jibes with my experience of similar products from Aphex. EXR dude, the ball is in yr court…fill us in…
Download about a million pages of product information regarding the complete MILAB microphone line circa 1981 (presented in two parts due to file size):
DOWNLOAD PART 1: Milab_1981_1
DOWNLOAD PART 2: Milab_1981_2
For the low low price of (no fkkn dollars), you’ll get: The MILAB 1981 catalog, price list, product sheets (some of which are quite extensive) on the DC20, DC21, DC63, DC73, DC96, MSXY-8 ETC., as well as a price list and a very confusing attempt at an explanation of what MIPOW phantom-power is (seems like normal Phantom Power except that pin 1 is +48v rather than pins 2 and 3 being +48v relative to pin 1????).
I’ve never used, seen, or, to my knowledge, heard any of these microphones; frankly, I haven’t even read these documents. It’s too hot out and i’ve had too much wine. I would imagine that they are pretty decent tho; been hunting for one on eBay for a year now, no luck yet. Something odd about Swedish products: while Swedish culture itself has a reputation in America for sex-i-ness (cemented by this classic film, BTW), Swedish products have quite the opposite affect.
Anyway, here’s some pictures of old microphones.
