opinions on Altec 1612a

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 3:19 am

Hi everyone,

can anyone tell me what are the best uses for this piece of gear? It's a solid state mic/line-pre with limiter from the 70ies.
From what I've heard, it's supposed to be a killer on guitar cabinets and bass. Any experiences? Recommendations on setting it up?

a friend abroad would sell it to me quite cheap ($350.00).
thanks in advance for your opinions.

michael

here's a pic: <img src="http://www.alessandro-products.com/forsale/altec1612a.jpg" alt="" />

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:46 am

Hey,
I have two of these. On the right track (tempo, feel etc.) they're great on Bass. But the real fun is on 'Drum Overheads'. The fast attack is:10 microseconds attack and 0.8 seconds release. The slow attack is:33 microseconds attack with 2.8 seconds release. On the slow setting it kind of *flips out* on the drums with such a fast attack and slow release. They start sounding backwards, etc. Great to use as a mult and slip under the uncompressed drums. REALLY cool! Also the price you quoted is exactly right.
Benjy

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 6:18 am

Hi, I've got a 1612a in my workshop at the moment.
I've never used one before, so can anyone tell me if both channels are supposed to work at the same time or if one over-rides the other?
(in other words is this unit fine or should I attempt to "repair" it?)

Thanks in advance, I'd really appreciate any help anyoneone could give me,

Phil
Technical Engineer
Olympic Studios

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 9:46 am

I bought one used about 7 years ago for $100...in prefect shape, had a strange release curve to it I didnt care for. After a few months sold it for about the same price. These Altecs are usually found from commerical sound systems installs, always left on and I'm sure not well maintained.

As for repairs...
I did remember seeing a chip inside as well, under a aluminum heat sink about dead center of the unit. Dont remember what it was or its function.

For $350, there are quite a bit better sounding and flexible compressors out there not to mention the need for future repairs when they show up.

Best of luck,

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:08 am

aha... got it sussed... one's a mic input and one's a line input, and they DO both work at the same time... actually, there's a very nice ducking effect when both inputs used simultaneously with music on the line input and speech/vocals on the mic input.
It IS working fine after all.
Smile

Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 5:18 pm

I use my altec 1612a on vocals, drums and it sounds really good on almost everything.
The compressor curve sound great.
Nice gear. maybe underestimated value for the future.

Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 10:56 pm

I have a 1612A up for auction http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160241177638

Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 2:46 am

faganking:
"The fast attack is:10 microseconds attack and 0.8 seconds release. The slow attack is:33 microseconds attack with 2.8 seconds release."

Erm....10 microseconds? Does that seem a little off to anyone else?

Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 3:03 am

Codemonkey wrote:

faganking:
"The fast attack is:10 microseconds attack and 0.8 seconds release. The slow attack is:33 microseconds attack with 2.8 seconds release."

Erm....10 microseconds? Does that seem a little off to anyone else?

Try milliseconds.

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