[BC] Gates early solid state consoles

[Dave [Grandhorn Acct]]

This is a really great thread with a lot of fun information.  For those
interested, you can visit here:

http://mandrakebroadcast.com/statesman/features.jpg
and
http://mandrakebroadcast.com/statesman/modular.jpg

for a few original sheets from the brochure promoting the Solid Statesman
console.  This is the unit I am thinking about restoring.  Apart from a
broken left meter, the former engineer for the station said when he took it
out it was actually working (for the most part....)  I may also tackle an
old RCA originally installed in 1949 there.  I don't have the model number
or a photo yet.  But it is a tube type modular mono console that weighs
around a ton, I'm sure.



-----Original Message-----
From: broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net
[mailto:broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Bob Tarsio
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 11:50 AM
To: 'Broadcasters' Mailing List'
Subject: RE: [BC] Gates early solid state consoles

To All:

When upgraded with BDI electronics and Executive had a 90 dB Dynamic range.
With a +8 dBm operating level the console could make +28 dBm if the output
pad was removed. Signal to noise ratio with a microphone channel on and
potted up to operating level produced - 70 dBm below operating level. This
could all be done with the original power supply and no modifications except
for the elimination of the output pad which was optional. If it was left in
place the console simply had 6 dB less headroom. There was a big improvement
over the original noise spec of -64 dBm which could only be met with the
console at headroom of +18 dBm. 

We did other consoles besides RCA and Gates. We did a really nice upgrade
for McMartin 800 series consoles. For those who might not have seen or
worked on one it was well, an interesting design to say the least. McMartin
sold a bunch of them. They offered a monaural, dual channel and stereo
version. They used a 110 VDC power supply for audio! While our modules would
work with the original 110 VDC power supply they could also be made to work
at a more sensible 30-36 VDC. Most of the failures in those consoles were
the power supply regulator module and the monitor amps. We made microphone
preamps, booster cards, program cards and yes, a 10 watt monitor amplifier
that ran class AB and much cooler than the class A original. I think we
still have some of these in the warehouse. The stuff we did for McMartin
really made the difference because the modules in those original boards were
terribly unreliable and often died a spectacular death. Not only did these
boards sound great when retrofitted they didn't perform anymore fireworks
displays! When I was in college in the 70s my college station had a McMartin
801. The first thing that blew was the monitor amp. Little did I know that
years later I would be redesigning that very amplifier. 

We also did some custom stuff on McCurdy for a couple of people up in
Canada. Line/Mic preamps for 7000 series boards and we made a solid state
replacement for a relay assembly that turned modules on and off the mix bus
for a guy up in Calgary. That was a lot of fun though. Someone would call
and say can you help me with this or that and we actually could! 

Bob Tarsio

www.Broadcast-Devices.com
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net
[mailto:broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Dana Puopolo
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 14:00
To: Broadcasters' Mailing List
Subject: [BC] Gates early solid state consoles

It was passive mixing with step attenuators and yes, by upgrading the
program
and microphone amps you wound up with a GREAT sounding console.
FYI...Step attenuators are now universally used in very high end (5K
$+)audio
preamps (made with metal film low noise resistors). Why? Because they
universally sound better then pots.

-D


------ Original Message ------
Received: Sat, 07 Apr 2007 11:16:30 AM EDT
From: Chuck Leavens <chuck at wduq.org>
To: "Broadcasters' Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
Subject: RE: [BC] XT and RCF 1

 >The Executive was a full stereo with an additional (L+R)
 >mono output. In 1967 we had one in the demo room at
 >Gates/ATC Bloomington. Good board for the day, but no
 >headroom.

But was the console not passive with the exception of the Mike
Preamps and the Output Amps? I often thought that changing those out
one could have a very transparent console to the audio. No?

-- 

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