Oh boy, LA2a’s. I’ve worked on so many of these over the years and they’re all a little different. This one needed a few audio path caps replaced and a few new tubes, but the big ish was the optical cell. It was slow and causing distortion. Fixing this one was impossible (a T4a, which is epoxied closed) but, even if you can get them open the electroluminescent panels are unobtainable (if you have a lead please DM!) and the photoresistors are hard to come by and harder to match. Kenetek makes a wonderful replacement part that’s incredibly affordable and totally rejuvenates the attack and release times of these vintage beasts.
#universalaudio #la2a #tubes #proaudio
This Echoplex EP-2 was in rough shape when it showed up, distorted and low volume even after replacing the tape cartridge, and tons of wow a flutter. This has been fully cleaned, recapped, oiled, and is ready to roll! I also modified the output, removing the fixed cable and borrowing the second input jack for better usability, especially when used for mixing rather than instruments.
#echoplex #tube #audioengineer
Today on the bench, a Gibson EH-125 suitcase amp circa 1940’s. This has been cleaned up, recapped, fitted with a modern grounded power cable, and I added a volume control for the Instrument input (absent by design!). Tested all the tubes against NOS stock and the ones in the amp sounded just as good, amazing after 80ish years. Really cool sounding amp, the mic input is an additional gain stage before joining the instrument signal and makes for a great hi gain input for guitar.
#gibson #guitaramp #tube #vintage
Rehabing a Studer a80 24 track! This one is in pretty good shape, bearings all look good and the heads have plenty of life. There were a handful of dead channels that needed some new filter caps (see last pic!) but now it’s pulling into alignment and sounding GREAT.
#studer #tapemachine #analog #recording
Just finished this custom 24VDC power supply that’s going to be used to power an 80 series Neve console, replacing the working but tired PSU that the console came with. Fans are super quiet, and we added a crowbar circuit for over voltage protection.
Shoutout to @redcoaudio for the fantastic job on the metalwork for the chassis!
#neve #80series #powersupply
Fresh off the bench: ADR Compex F760X-RS compressor/expander.
These things are a beast. The alignment can take forever, and it’s fussy af. When they’re working properly it’s some of the finest compression available. This old soldier had all its capacitors and trim pots replaced, card connectors cleaned and refurbished, full alignment, and a new stereo input pot to boot. Needless to say, it’s sounding incredible and is on its way back home.
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#compressor #compex #studio #recording #repair
