Optro 7500 console and compressors

[rick]

ok
i'll up the stakes because that one was too apparently too easy
an Australian made made working studio microphone ( it wont be a rhode dont worry ,)

to the first guy that gets a photo of himself
underneath the byer sign holding up an Audio technology magazine ....

photoshopping to win this will get you banned around here ...

now where were we

[TimS]

You're kidding me right??

[Chris H]

Hey Chris
Are those older optro's Valve?

Gee.. I get back home from a day out and Rick's giving away a Byer, and an mic. Makes this oz gear thread kinda special. Nice gesture Rick.
The older optro's are discreet transistor with transformers on the input and output. Here is a pick of the inner workings.


as far as i know Graham designed all the optro gear.
, And i will get some info for you about Optro company history. I have had a few chats and remember some interesting things . Apparantly the Optro tape recorders were on the scene fairly early in relation to other developments at Ampex and they came had an Ampex tech look at the Optro 16 trk 2 inch as it as the specs were so good. The motors and engineering made them a very stable machine, but the relays were, or are today the weakness in keeping one operational. I know of one in good working order with a second machine for spares.

[The Tasmanian]

Hey Rick - I always wondered about the Byer motel - you drive past it thinking - what the f#^k is that Byer logo doing on a hotel?
And then another 150kms go by and one has forgotten - until the next time one drives past.

Also I think the first couple of ACDC albums were recorded on Optro 16tk machines at Alberts.
Plus all the other albums to go through Alberts at the time.

I'm driving past the Byer hotel next Sat, so I'll put a copy of ATechnology in the car just in case - although my dog can't take pictures....
Chris

[tunetown]

Very cool Rick.

Nice way to google Tim. All those hours of Googling finally paid off.

:-)

[heathen]

Very cool Rick.

Nice way to google Tim. All those hours of Googling finally paid off.

:-)

Classic!

[The Tasmanian]

OK
I've got a really good lead on these compressor schematics and design
thanks for the responses everyone!
Now lets keep this great old aussie stuff alive and restored!
Any other Aussie gems we need to drag up?
Chris Townend

[13thbeach]

Eventually rick will run out of things audio related to give away and start on house hold items. Up next I hear is that spare dinner set that was never opened,
followed by a VCR (in good working condition).

[langleycello]

Thanks gentlemen,

Fascinated with the discussion of old Australian made gear. I have had private conversations with a few on the board re specific issues in the set-up of my own homebrew production suite made up of old Australian gear - mainly geared to service my interest in OTR and radio drama production involving my kids etc. I have some similar Optro AGC / EQ modules which I hope to eventually configure, along with an old broadcast rack of Astor modules. I am presuming a 50v rail with the Optro AGC, and look forward to instigating it. Down the track it would be great to source a circuit - I think Chris had a contact? - I'll have to follow this up when I eventually get going. Great to hear about the experience of others with Optro stuff, and spiritted discussion re Byer, Rola and Zephyr gear.

Byer is a fascinating institution. For me this hobby is as much about the stories behind some of this equipment. I knew an old gentleman once who knew Max Byer and described a fascinating character; naturally a perfectionist. Apparently, he had a car and caravan in polished stainless steel like his tape machines. Like others I feel a pang of intrigue when I drive past the hotel in Holbrooke. apparently there was an article in EA in the mid 80s about him, but I havn't been able to source it.

I would like to learn more about Zephyr mics. I have one 30D, and I think it's great. I would love to find one of the larger model ribbons - some day. Anyhow, enough raving from me. Here are a couple of pics, and thanks all for an interesting discussion.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/l ... C00373.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/l ... C00378.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/l ... G_4144.jpg

More studio shots at langleycello on youtube, but probably boring for those outside my family. Mostly kids stuff...

Cheers,

Stephen

PS Byer also made a clone of the 44BX. Never seen one though..

[Chris H]

Great stuff. I have seen but not heard one of those huge Oz ribbons....still know where it's hiding..he.he.....and have one of the Zephyr torpeado ribbons that obviosly needs a new ribbon.

[The Tasmanian]

Stephen - you rock!

[tweakeasy]

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/l ... G_4144.jpg

Apart from the monitor and chair, that's like gazing at a snapshot from the past. So freakin' cool. I'm inspired.

[Chris H]

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/l ... G_4144.jpg

Apart from the monitor and chair, that's like gazing at a snapshot from the past. So freakin' cool. I'm inspired.

Is that a little Goldentone amp i see on the floor behind the chair??..........hidden treasure!

.......and now it's plain to see where Manley got their inspiration for the VoxBox faceplate design>

[langleycello]

Thanks gentlemen for your kind thoughts,

I relish in the technology of yore. The build quality is astonishing, and the chats I have with retired techs from time to time reveal a plethora of fascinating tales. I love the rich 'plumby' sound, not to mention my awe at the skill of the panel 'virtuoso' in times past. Checkout an amazing set of 1960s docos entitled 'Radio boom' on youtube. All good fun..

Cheers,

stephen

[tweakeasy]

Checkout an amazing set of 1960s docos entitled 'Radio boom' on youtube. All good fun..

That was a sensational little series Stephen, enjoyed immensely. I'd love to get hold of a full-quality tape of it if you have any idea who I could source that from?

Cheers,

Michael

[langleycello]

Don't think I can help here (maybe send him a message?), but here is another fascinating bit of Aussie radio nostalgia with someone we know all too well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4nCmiGnggQ

Stephen

[tweakeasy]

Don't think I can help here (maybe send him a message?), but here is another fascinating bit of Aussie radio nostalgia with someone we know all too well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4nCmiGnggQ

Stephen

I have done so, hopefully I'll hear back. :)

They sure picked the right cleaning lady, what a hilarious gimmick.

[Linear]

Hey Chris V - you get double respect - you drive an AWA console, AND your name is Chris.
Is yours the Opera House console?
I have 4 of the early Opera House models (so I've been told) - they sound awesome but the pots are a bit shit !
Was your the 2nd desk for the Opera House?
Chris

Hi Chris,

This is a myth. I received an email from someone who used to work at the opera house - they told me that there was never a console installed there that looks anything remotely like the one I have.

Being employed as the initial Deputy Sound Manager (later Sound Department Manager) from before the Opera House opened in 1973 and remaining there for the next sixteen years, I can assure you that the console detailed (or anything like it) was NEVER installed into the Opera House.

The initial consoles (there until the late 1980's) were --- apart from one Neve console and a couple of small (portable) Yamaha's --- definitely made by AWA but they only had a channel fader at the bottom and an input selector switch, nput attenuator and output selector at the top. The consoles had NO equalisation, panning or any other facility.

What I've found out (from someone who used to work at AWA) was that there were only ever 15 (?) consoles made. Mine was installed at 2MBS. The demise of AWA as a manufacturer coincided with the Governments decision to remove tariff protection for local manufacturing. AWA could never compete with other console manufacturers from abroad - Neve and others like them had a large US and European market. AWA was unheard of outside of Australia.

I really got the feeling that they designed the console to be manufactured on a much larger scale, but in essence it never got past the R&D phase.

Chris V.

[The Tasmanian]

Hey Chris
Funny what people say when they sell you something...ex opera house console - thought it was a bit suss at the time, but glad I went there cause the pre's on these old beasts are so good!
For kik,snare and toms I find it hard for any other mic pre to beat them - there is some serious voodoo inside em!
Chris Townend

[Linear]

Hi Chris,

yeah I agree - and we probably bought them from the same person... same sales pitch...

anyway, I reckon the voodoo in those modules is the huge input transformer and the 30V rails. other than that I think they're pretty standard class A mic pre.

Cheers

Chris

[Chris H]

Don't think I can help here (maybe send him a message?), but here is another fascinating bit of Aussie radio nostalgia with someone we know all too well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4nCmiGnggQ

Stephen

....and where is that console now?

[rick]

hey tim
i found a rola /byer 66 this morning under the house this morning and brought it to work , come and get it :)

no idea of its condition , but the tubes are missing so i i dont think i would have powered it up

call first to make sure i'm around

gee i would have thought i would have seen another photo by now .
i guess my mic collection is safe for a few more days

[tunetown]

Sounds like Rob's got some work coming.
:-)

[TimS]

hey tim
i found a rola /byer 66 this morning under the house this morning and brought it to work , come and get it :)

no idea of its condition , but the tubes are missing so i i dont think i would have powered it up

call first to make sure i'm around

gee i would have thought i would have seen another photo by now .
i guess my mic collection is safe for a few more days

Rick, what condition is it in?

[musikwerks]

Unless the 'Australian made' mic you're giving away is from Gunter I can't see anyone rushing to drive that far for it. But I could be wrong.

[rick]

hey tim
i found a rola /byer 66 this morning under the house this morning and brought it to work , come and get it :)

no idea of its condition , but the tubes are missing so i i dont think i would have powered it up

call first to make sure i'm around

gee i would have thought i would have seen another photo by now .
i guess my mic collection is safe for a few more days

Rick, what condition is it in?

looks good , no tubes .. dunno..? , the same as every other one i suspect , it will work they all seem to , but for the full glory you will want to recapp and track any noises down and fix em
its the kind with the class a pa/guitar amp in it .. which always rock seriously !

what do you want me to do ... reneg and sell it in a 5 minute auction for $ 400?
geez just come and get it before i change my mind :)

kris.. i havent decided which australain mic i am giving away yet .. but i promise it WONT be a wagner , it just depends on how much effort somebody makes to claim the prize zepher/ torpedo ? .. dunno we will see

[TimS]

I presume it will be a 'working' microphone then too??

[musikwerks]

Make it German and I'll think about it.

:p

[rick]

working ? my mics have been on holidays for years :)

[TimS]

Make it German and I'll think about it.

:p

It will be Aussie Kristian - just got off the phone from Rick about the Byer..