INOVONICS 220 AUDIO LEVEL OPTIMIZER

[PRINCETOWN]

FOR SALE
INOVONICS COMP LIMITER AUDIO LEVEL OPTIMIZER,

Inovonics First Broadcast Processor

The first air chain processor from Inovonics was the Model 220, and was dubbed the Audio Level Optimizer. It was a compressor/limiter with asymmetrical modulation capability for AM, and an independent high-frequency limiter for FM.

The HF limiter borrowed technology from a patented design that Jim had developed for his previous employer, GRT Corp., where it was used in preparing masters for major-label cassette tape releases.

The only readily available HF limiter in the late 1960’s was the CBS Volumax and it didn’t quite fit the needs of tape recording. The slow-speed Philips cassette, filled with inexpensive tape, exhibited a high-frequency overload characteristic similar to, but somewhat steeper than, the 75 microsecond pre-emphasis curve of FM broadcasting.

The Inovonics 220 was formally introduced at a broadcasters’ conference in Canada. The late Emil Torick of CBS Labs was present at that event and gave personal kudos to the concept and design of the product. The 220 achieved moderate success, with a quantity purchase by RKO for use in their proprietary, house-built multiband processor – a six foot rack filled with off-the-shelf products from various manufacturers.
Inovonics routinely couples design simplicity with a choice of component parts that are universally stocked by local and mail-order parts distributors. This has become increasingly difficult with contemporary digital designs, however, as these parts – many of which were developed for the computer industry – may go obsolete within just a few years.
GRAB A PIECE OF THE PIE serviced by Rob $ 765