http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=2921 en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Tue, 19 May 2026 05:52:46 -0500 120 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2923 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=2921 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17087 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17087
This classic instrument, a Mellotron M-400, is in the equipment storage room at Ardent in Memphis. The Mellotron is a very early sampler, with the recorded sounds stored on 8-second strips of magnetic tape. When you pressed a key, it moved a pressure pad that pinched the tape strip against a pinch roller, causing the tape to move across a playback head. When you released the key (or when it reached the end of the strip) it would snap back to the beginning, ready to play again. This is the sound of the strings on most classic Moody Blues recordings. Or the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" and many other of their later albums. Unlike a modern digital sampler, where sounds can be looped and modified almost infinitely, a Mellotron was a simple playback device, and the sound would only play the length of the tape strip. Listen to the orchestra parts played on a 'Tron and you'll notice the phrasing is arranged to allow for the 8-second playback limit while the player lets up on the key so the tape can reset back to the beginning. Also, changing sounds requires swapping out the tape frame for one with a different set of recordings.]]> Paul Braun photo Tue, 14 Apr 2015 12:43:28 -0500 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17085 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17085
This Fairchild Model 670 stereo compressor lives in the equipment rack in Studio B at Ardent in Memphis. Dating back to the 50's, the 670 is the most coveted of the Fairchild compressors. Weighing in at 65 pounds, stuffed full of tubes and massive transformers, it's considered by many recording engineers as the Holy Grail. And they're priced accordingly - when they do appear (very rarely), a good example can fetch North of $30,000. Today you can buy a digital emulation as a plugin for your ProTools system, but for some, nothing but the original will do.]]> Paul Braun photo Tue, 14 Apr 2015 12:43:28 -0500 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17083 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17083
This Solid State Logic 6056E console lives in the control room of Ardent's Studio B. The studio was originally reversed, but when this console was purchased in 1985, they discovered that it was too big to fit into the existing control room, so they swapped the control room and tracking room around.]]> Paul Braun photo Tue, 14 Apr 2015 12:43:27 -0500 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17081 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17081
Abstract of the channel field of Ardent's SSL 6056e console.]]> Paul Braun photo Tue, 14 Apr 2015 12:43:27 -0500 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17079 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17079
This Scully tape deck was one of Ardent's original machines when they moved to the current location. It's still functional and can be pressed into service if someone has an old 8-track master that needs transferring, but otherwise it serves as a lobby decoration.]]> Paul Braun photo Tue, 14 Apr 2015 12:43:27 -0500 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17077 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17077
Closeup of the cutting head on the vinyl master lathe at Ardent Studios in Memphis. This is the business end of the whole system, the device that takes the left- and right-channel audio signals and translates them into the groove that's cut into the lacquer master.]]> Paul Braun photo Tue, 14 Apr 2015 12:43:27 -0500 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17075 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17075
This vintage Neumann cutting lathe at Ardent had been retired in the 80's when CD's took over and everyone stopped releasing vinyl LP's. The studio actually was trying to find a buyer since it took up valuable studio space. Suddenly, the hip-hop scene exploded, and the DJ's were all using vinyl records for scratching, and the old Neumann was brought out of retirement. Then the resurgence in vinyl popularity began to happen, and now the lathe lives in a mastering suite that's busy pretty much all the time. In fact, I lucked out that I was there during a rare break between a morning cutting session and the beginning of the afternoo session that would last well into the night.]]> Paul Braun photo Tue, 14 Apr 2015 12:43:27 -0500 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=11357 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=11357
Today's band, Monterey, is one of my regulars. While the three musicians all play, the occasionally allow a sequencer to play some keyboard parts along with them. This is their sequencer. It was purchased new in 1989, and has been in use ever since. Yes, that is a box of 3-1/2" floppy disks in the background. I love that it's still working and that they still use it. Olympus E-M5, Panasonic 20/1.7]]> Paul Braun photo Sun, 09 Feb 2014 00:21:10 -0600 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=9579 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=9579
A closeup detail of Stax Records' original Scully 2-track tape recorder. Otis Redding recorded "Respect" on this machine, along with hundreds of other Stax hits by various legendary arrists. Olympus E-M5, Panasonc 20/1.7]]> Paul Braun photo Wed, 20 Nov 2013 23:17:20 -0600 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=9576 http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=9576
The 1" 8-track Scully tape deck used at Stax Records in Memphis, TN. The classsic soul and R&B that passed through those electronics staggers the mind. Olympus E-M5, Panasonc 20/1.7]]> Paul Braun photo Wed, 20 Nov 2013 23:17:20 -0600