New Pacifica Mic Pre from A Designs
 |
|
(Click for a close-up) |
September 15, 2005
A Designs Audio
has introduced the Pacifica, to be on display at the 119th AES Convention in NYC. Pacifica is a single rack
space, dual-channel (mono/mono) microphone preamplifier that conjures up the
unique tone and look of the Quad Eight mixing console from which it derives
its name.
The Pacifica offers a uniquely "Made in California" feel thanks to the
significant heft of its transformers. Improving on the original design, A
Designs has added a front panel active hi-z 1/4-inch input that places the
input transformer directly in the signal path for a huge direct sound. The
cream colored panel and red knob scheme of the original mixing console has
been retained.
Pacifica is the result of two years of research and design by Peter Montessi
of A Designs Audio (West Hills, California) and pro audio designer Jon
Erickson. They recreated the tonal characteristics of the highly revered,
U.S.-manufactured Quad Eight solid state desks with the assistance of Tom
Reichenbach of Cinemag, whose father designed the original Quad Eight
transformers. The team was able to capture the familiar sound of Quad Eight
consoles similar to the Ventura, Coronado and Pacifica consoles following
exhaustive trial and error and listening tests. They were able to overcome
the absence of original documentation, sourcing of discontinued and obsolete
components, and difficulties in locating some of the original Quad Eight
staff.
Eventually, prototypes were sent to a handful of devoted Quad Eight console
owners and A-Designs mic pre fans, along with some of today's talented
recording engineers, such as Dylan Dresdow and Ted Perlman. The results were
gratifying. Virtually all agreed that the new A Designs Pacifica achieved
the design team's objective of recreating the original Quad Eight sound, but
with slightly more top end according to the company.
The A Designs Audio Pacifica solid state, stereo, mic preamp is now
shipping.
MSRP is $1,900.
For more information, visit their web site at www.adesignsaudio.com. | 
