Vintage Recording Equipment Archive

The Solid State Logic Bus Comp Classic is a 1U rackmount stereo analogue bus compressor that recreates the architecture and characteristic response of the legendary SSL Stereo Bus Compressor. Featuring THAT 2181 VCAs, Variable VCA Drive, expanded compression ratios and time constants, SSL Auto Release, an integrated side-chain high-pass filter and genuine stereo external side-chain inputs, it combines the familiar operation of the original design with additional control over dynamics, harmonic character and stereo bus processing.

The Yamaha TG55 was a tone generator that utilised second-generation 16-bit Advanced Wave Memory technology to offer superior sound quality and extensive musical control. It featured a versatile voice architecture allowing for one, two, or four elements per voice, with each element equipped with digital filters, envelope generators, and individual editing parameters. The unit included 74 preset waveforms, 64 preset voices, and 34 programmable effects, alongside a 16-part multi-timbre mode and built-in drum sounds. Its complete MIDI implementation, stereo positioning capabilities, and compact 1U rack-mount design made it a powerful tool for both performance and production.

The Yamaha TX802 FM Tone Generator was a versatile module that utilised six-operator FM synthesis to deliver bright and dynamic sounds, incorporating advanced features from the DX7IIFD and DX7IID synthesisers. It offered 256 total voices, including 128 presets and user-editable memories, with the ability to combine up to eight timbres in a single performance. It featured advanced programming tools such as Microtuning, Fractional Level Scaling, and Random Pitch, alongside comprehensive MIDI capabilities and RAM 4 cartridge support for expanded storage.