FS: 2x Vintage Audimax 4440 mono comp/limiters
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:35 amOk here are 2 Audimax 4440 comp/limiters. These were originally designed for broadcast compression and feature balanced transformer i/o, input control, output control, preset attack and a switchable realease time. Originally the release was an internally set and forget switch, and the i/o controls were on trim pots. I have moved these to the front panel so they can be easily accessed.
These are funky sounding compressors with character. You set the threshold by the amount of input gain just like on 1176's and these are great for leveling out bass, crunching snare, smacking room mics, and thickening up heavy gtrs. Can also be fun as sidechain comps. Supposedly they were competitors of 1176's but these are not as flexible though they are still alot of fun.
These particular units are slightly different as one is badged CBS labs and the other Thompson labs. They are exactly the same circuit internally, the boards have the same part numbers and the transformers and other obvious parts are also exactly the same. I think one is a year or so older and the company changed hands in between.
I'm hoping for 300 each or if you buy both I'll throw in the postage.
I have a pdf of the manual too.
From the manual:
"The audimax is totally different in concept from ordinary compressors, limiters, or AGC devices. Two features which are unique to the audimax are: the gain platform and the gated gain stabilizer.
The exclusive gain platform principle permits gain the remain on a stable plateau over a wide range of input levels rather than continuously being allowed to rise and fall with consequent distortion, thumping and pumping, and audio "holes". The unique gated gain stabilizer bridges program lapses and thus eliminates "swish-up" of background noise. A special return-to-zero funstion returns gain to normal standby operations.
Both the gain platform and gated gain stabilizer use logic techniques to make processing decisions based on the incoming signal. Thus the audimax is not just another AGC amplifier, but a sophisticated processing device that eliminates the drawbacks of conventional units."
And that goes to show that the 70's were no different than now with amazing sales rep that leaves you wondering how on earth did they ever come up with something so cool and how you would be so lucky to own it. blah.
These are funky sounding compressors with character. You set the threshold by the amount of input gain just like on 1176's and these are great for leveling out bass, crunching snare, smacking room mics, and thickening up heavy gtrs. Can also be fun as sidechain comps. Supposedly they were competitors of 1176's but these are not as flexible though they are still alot of fun.
These particular units are slightly different as one is badged CBS labs and the other Thompson labs. They are exactly the same circuit internally, the boards have the same part numbers and the transformers and other obvious parts are also exactly the same. I think one is a year or so older and the company changed hands in between.
I'm hoping for 300 each or if you buy both I'll throw in the postage.
I have a pdf of the manual too.
From the manual:
"The audimax is totally different in concept from ordinary compressors, limiters, or AGC devices. Two features which are unique to the audimax are: the gain platform and the gated gain stabilizer.
The exclusive gain platform principle permits gain the remain on a stable plateau over a wide range of input levels rather than continuously being allowed to rise and fall with consequent distortion, thumping and pumping, and audio "holes". The unique gated gain stabilizer bridges program lapses and thus eliminates "swish-up" of background noise. A special return-to-zero funstion returns gain to normal standby operations.
Both the gain platform and gated gain stabilizer use logic techniques to make processing decisions based on the incoming signal. Thus the audimax is not just another AGC amplifier, but a sophisticated processing device that eliminates the drawbacks of conventional units."
And that goes to show that the 70's were no different than now with amazing sales rep that leaves you wondering how on earth did they ever come up with something so cool and how you would be so lucky to own it. blah.
