The console is a 40 Input in line console with
8 dedicated stereo inputs (Located on the far
right of the console) (The stereo inputs have
only a hi pass & low pass filters). It has a
16 input tape return section and (8) PolyGram
compressors on the center section (very rare
and sought after). It also has a Real Time Analyzer
on the center section (custom designed by PolyGram
Engineers). It has 16 assignable output busses,
plus all the two track provisions on the master
section. The patch bay is located on the right
side and it is all tuchel based, and would have
to be converted to a TT patch bay for current
applications.
The engineers at PolyGram designed this custom
console in 1979. Their approach was to use the
highest quality, lowest distortion circuitry
they could devise. Every major module and circuit
card has its own, on-board voltage regulators
to locally re-regulate the DC power from its
massive bipolar 21Volt supplies to the bipolar
18 Volt or 15 supplies needed on the module.
This approach minimizes power supply related
interaction of the channels.
TDA1034 opamps were used for most of the signal
path. These later became known as NE5534's when
Philips and Signetics joined. No quad opamps,
no TL074's are in this console. An effort was
made to minimize the number of amplifiers in
the signal path to obtain to keep distortion
low. All the switching, routing and muting is
accomplished with relays -- there are no FET
switches to muddy the sound. The PolyGram engineers
used dBx 202-C discrete VCA's in the limiters
and the other VCA circuits. The quality of the
pots and switches is superb. The layout is spacious
and easily upgraded to use the most modern opamps
if desired.
The console was functional and operating until
two years ago when it was pulled out of service.Full
documentation of the console is included. The
upgrades that the console could use would be
with the upgrade of faster opamps on the console
modules and recapping. Aside from that the console
is in very good condition housed in a very heavy
and sturdy frame The weight of the console is
about 2,425 lbs. Everything is transformer balanced;
using custom wound transformers manufactured
for PolyGram.
