Spectra1964
Introduction
The products that are made by Spectra1964 come to us directly from the Golden Age of Music. During the period from 1964-1979, Spectra made both legendary equipment and consoles for the professional entertainment industry that had few rivals. In fact, some of the greatest hits in the history of popular music were made using Spectra equipment. Legendary recording studios of the period such as The Record Plant in New York City, New York and Hollywood, California and Stax and Ardent in Memphis, Tennessee, all featured equipment and consoles from Spectra. In 1979, the company decided to stop making their legendary consoles, but continued to make professional audio equipment for the entertainment industry. However, since 2007, the company has re-emerged— with a new name— Spectra1964, and now is continuing to honor the legacy of its rich history, by making some of the very best professional audio products that you can anywhere find on the market today, each of which pays homage to the great products that the company has made in the past.
Which products from Spectra1964 that were used by the great engineers and recording studio facilities of the past would be a great fit for the educational space?
Every product that is made by Spectra1964 would be a terrific fit for the educational space. The preamps, complimiters, equalization module and direct boxes made by the company are all excellent products which would make great additions to any educational space. Each of their products have a legendary pedigree. For example, both their STX-100D microphone preamp and their C610 and V610 Complimiters are the backbone of some of the greatest hits in the history of popular music. Spectra1964 equipment is built to last, versatile and very easy to use— each of which also serves to make them excellent additions for the educational space. It is also worth noting that each of their products are made in their Ogden, Utah, facility.
Image: STX-100
Image courtesy-- Spectra1964
STX-100
This sweet-sounding and versatile microphone preamp is the choice of producers and engineers across the musical spectrum today. It will enable the user to use the same microphone preamp technology that appeared in the Spectra consoles during the Golden Age of Music from 1964-1979. Plus, it features an additional benefit. It can be combined with the STX-500, which is a 2-band equalization module to create a 500-series channel strip, just like those that would have appeared on the classic Spectra consoles of the past. It is to be noted that since the STX-100 is a 500-series module, it will require the use of a 500-series compatible chassis.
STX-500
The STX-500 is a 2-band passive, classic equalization module from Spectra1964 which will require pairing with their STX-100 microphone preamp module. When the two modules are paired, you will have the classic sound of the Spectra consoles of the past. The procedure for pairing the two modules is both quick and easy to do. It is to be noted that the STX-500 is not a standalone module and it cannot function without being paired to the STX-100. The STX-500 is a 500-series module and will also require the use of a 500-series compatible chassis.
Image: STX-500
Image courtesy-- Spectra1964
STX-100D
If you want the same sound that gave us the great hit songs in popular music of the late 1960s and throughout the decade of the 1970s from such artists as John Lennon, Aretha Franklin, ZZ Top and Aerosmith, it is this microphone preamp that will give you the same classic sound which could have been found on the Spectra consoles of this period from 1964-1979. The STX-100D is a truly legendary microphone preamp and it is now available from Spectra1964 in the 500-series format. It is the truly rare microphone preamp that will sound great on any source. Keep in mind, the STX-100D is a 500-series module and will require the use of a 500-series compatible chassis.
Image: STX-100D
Image courtesy-- Spectra1964
STX-600
The STX-600 is a unique 500-series module offering from Spectra1964, in that it gives you access to their venerable and legendary Complimiters. It can easily function as both a Complimiter and as a microphone preamp. Very few devices that are made for the 500-series format are as versatile as the STX-600 from Spectra1964. Beyond its versatility, the STX-600 also gives you access to the sweet sound of the legendary Spectra consoles of the past. Like its siblings, the STX-600 is a 500-series module and will require the use of a compatible 500-series chassis.
Image: STX-600
Image courtesy-- Spectra1964
Image: C610
Image courtesy-- Spectra1964
C610
Introduced more than 50 years ago, in 1969, the C610 Complimiter is the fastest, quietest and cleanest sounding dynamics processor of its kind. It was used to safeguard levels to tape and for gluing mixes together in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s and beyond. It is a legendary device that is still made by the wonderful people at Spectra1964. The C610 is a 2-space, rack-mount unit that is extremely versatile, easy to use and can be found in fine recording studios across the globe.
Image: V610
Image courtesy-- Spectra1964
V610
The V610 is another legendary Complimiter from Spectra1964 and a device which is unparalled in its speed of operation, versatility and sound quality. As a dynamics processor, it is often used by mastering houses to remove potentially damaging peaks from audio program material, but like the SPX-600, it can also function as a sweet-sounding microphone preamp, as well. The V610 will be a terrific addition to any equipment rack, including those in the educational space.
Image: DI Box
Image courtesy-- Spectra1964
DI Boxes
Spectra1964 also manufactures quiet, easy to use and versatile direct boxes in both mono and stereo versions for recording. Direct boxes allow line level signals to be boosted, so that they can easily be recorded. Bass guitars and keyboards are two of the instruments that are often used in the recording process for which engineers commonly use direct boxes. The direct boxes from Spectra1964 would make an excellent addition to any recording studio or program in an educational space.
Why should an educational institution invest in products from Spectra1964?
The fabulous products from Spectra 1964 are each easy to use, versatile and are built to last for a lifetime of use. Each of their products are designed and built at their factory in Ogden, Utah, and feature the same classic technologies that would have been heard on countless hit songs and albums beginning in the mid-1960s. The level of service from Spectra1964 is among the very best in the business and the company goes the extra mile by offering a custom-design shop— in other words, you can get their fabulous equipment in an array of designs and colors. For those in the educational space who are seeking to teach a new generation of artists, engineers, musicians and producers, products from Spectra1964 would be a great fit.
If you would like more information about Spectra1964 and the amazing products that were discussed in this article, please use the following links which are listed below.
The following link will take you to the Spectra1964 website where you can learn more about this legendary corporation and also, find an authorized dealer for their fabulous products in your area.
Special Note: Each of the images in this article appear through the courtesy and generosity of the wonderful people at Spectra1964.
Special Thanks— At The Recording Session Vault Educational Website Project, we would like to take a moment to express our thanks and appreciation to Bill Cheney at Spectra1964 for his time and assistance with this article.