optro 303

by **Chris H** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:54 pm

Calling Rob or Tony....., can you tell me what you know about it, especially the eq section. I gave it a try out on vox duties yesterday. For a quick assessment, to my ears it reminds me of an LA 4a in action and the VU shows a rather slow release. I opened the lid ( as i couldn't see any " no user serviceable parts inside" warning ) and didn't lay eyes on an optical gain element so i'm wondering....didn't search to hard though.

Tony did a great job packing it in bubble wrap, polystyrene, cardboard box and a few generous wrappings of tape etc. The box opening ceremony rivaled that of unwrapping a brand new mac powerbook....though the power book will only last 3 or so years while the 303 will be in my rack for many more.

by **Chris H** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:01 pm

What really surprised me about this thread was how many Turtle Rockers have shown more than a little fondness for the Lee Enfield 303. Was a nice little detour for a bit. We've had boats, fishing, woodworking tools, but never guns.

by **jkhuri44** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:28 pm

Chris H wrote:What really surprised me about this thread was how many Turtle Rockers have shown more than a little fondness for the Lee Enfield 303. Was a nice little detour for a bit. We've had boats, fishing, woodworking tools, but never guns.

we'z cold bludded killaz :P

by **13thbeach** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 11:14 pm

Chris H wrote:What really surprised me about this thread was how many Turtle Rockers have shown more than a little fondness for the Lee Enfield 303. Was a nice little detour for a bit. We've had boats, fishing, woodworking tools, but never guns.

Don't forget "that" biscut!.......and MacGyver.

by **Chris H** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:02 am

13thbeach wrote:
Chris H wrote:What really surprised me about this thread was how many Turtle Rockers have shown more than a little fondness for the Lee Enfield 303. Was a nice little detour for a bit. We've had boats, fishing, woodworking tools, but never guns.

Don't forget "that" biscut!.......and MacGyver.

.......was in the city a few weeks ago and saw this. Had to take a pic.

by **13thbeach** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:59 am

That is gold.

by **DwaneHollands** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:42 am

He's back Mat, but this time he's undercover. Hence the name change!

He's good....so good.

by **Ben M** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 3:20 pm

DwaneHollands wrote:He's back Mat, but this time he's undercover. Hence the name change!

He's good....so good.

A true master of disguise.

by **Chris H** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 10:31 pm

prequalizer wrote:What did you think of the Optro 303? How does it sound. I had a chance to buy one a while ago but never got the chance to hear it.

Ok, I've had it a few months now and i must say i like it very much. When plugging this thing in, it never detracts from the sound. Tonally the sound is the same from lows to highs, but it seems to thicken the sound a bit without losing any transparency both on single instruments and on a stereo mix. It's great on all instruments i've tried it on and does a great job at compressing, love it on acoustic guitar and gets things sitting just right in the mix. As i only have one i tried a mix through it, first doing the left then doing the right. Definitely good for gluing the mix and firming up the bass, kick punch a bit, although doing it this way makes it hard to play with adjustments while only listening to what its doing to the mix in mono untill the job is done.
Just got another Optro but different model. Sounds great as well but only used it on mic input as the line in is a bit flakey till i get it looked at.
Has a lovely passive eq. Can't help thinking the inspiration for the Avalon 747 came from this bit of kit.

by **13thbeach** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 12:23 am

Hey I saw that for sale. Came close to grabbing it but knew you'd be all over it Chris. You've got yourself a nice Optro collection going there now hey.

by **Chris H** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:06 am

Yes, except for mics and the digital side i can make a recording using all australian made gear of top quality. I have access to an Optro 2 inch 16 trk machine as well so i would love to do a project using it.........just a little hobby of mine

by **prequalizer** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 12:16 pm

How do you guys service the unit? I heard the important circuits are melted in plastic so that you do not know the circuit used insideand be able to fix it.

by **Chris H** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 3:09 pm

prequalizer wrote:How do you guys service the unit? I heard the important circuits are melted in plastic so that you do not know the circuit used insideand be able to fix it.

Some of the optro outboard gear has components sealed in epoxy blocks but not any of the optro gear i have. I was going to buy two comps a few years ago with epoxy blocks but they were way over priced. My tech has in the past carefully applied acetone to the epoxy to dissolve it.

Here's a few pics of the innards:

by **mylesgm** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 5:35 pm

Hi Chris,

Just for the record the optical gain element is what is pictured in your second photo. One side of the plastic tube will be an LED and the other an LDR or light dependent resistor. Just like an LA4 which backs up your statement of it being similar to the urei. Also keep in mind that much of the attack/release characteristic of the compressor will be determined by that opto hence the lack of attack/release controls. Sweet looking unit. Do you have a schematic? I'd love to build the comp section if at all possible with my minimal skills.

M

by **Chris H** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 7:22 pm

Yes the optical gain element in this one is different than in the older modules i have. In them it is encased in a cardboard tube.

It would be great to build the comp section. I will get a schematic drawn up for you as i don't have one and my tech will be looking at it to get the line input working as it should.

optro 303

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