Shell Rock, IA – October 2014 … Chandler Limited, recognized globally for signal processing and related music and audio products that deliver the classic analog sounds recording and professional musicians seek, announces addition of the REDD.47 pre-amplifier to Chandler’s esteemed Abbey Road Studios product line.
The REDD.47 microphone pre-amplifier, considered a ‘holy grail’ to some, is most closely associated with the sound of The Beatles’ records recorded at Abbey Road Studios from 1964-1968. Today, 50 years later, Chandler Limited revives this legendary sound with its own incarnation of the famous REDD.47.
The origins of the REDD.47 began at Abbey Road Studios’ technical division, the ‘Record Engineering Development Department’, in 1958. The REDD.47 line amplifier was designed as the replacement for Telefunken’s V72S. The latter was a specially modified version of the Telefunken V72 valve amplifier, used in the early EMI REDD mixing consoles at Abbey Road Studios.
The REDD.47 tube amplifier was introduced as the plug-in all-purpose line amplifier component for EMI’s next generation REDD.51 mixing console, first built in 1959. However, Abbey Road’s Studio Two, home to the majority of The Beatles’ recording sessions, only received its REDD.51 mixing console in 1964. The REDD.47 left its unmistakable sonic character on every Beatles record from 1964 to 1968.
Chandler Limited’s re-imagination of the REDD.47 realizes the punchy, aggressive sound of the original pre-amplifier, while adding new features required for the rigors of today’s recording studio environment. One of the features of Chandler Limited’s REDD.47 design is increased gain, allowing a range of tonal options from pristine clean sound to classic rich, saturated tone with up to 2% harmonic distortion before clipping. The Chandler Limited REDD.47 preamp easily reproduces the distortions heard on The Beatles’ ‘Revolution.’
The introduction of the REDD.47 tube pre-amplifier is a milestone for the Shell Rock, Iowa pro-audio manufacturer and Chandler’s heralded Abbey Road Studios product line. Chandler Limited founder and chief designer, Wade Goeke, had this to say,
“Obviously this is a big step for Chandler Limited. The REDD.47 is possibly the most famous mic pre of all time and we all wanted it to be special in sound, function, and appearance. From using the original documentation, to remolding the jumbo old style knobs, to reviving the Rumble Filter, every part of this design has been special . . . and if you’re wondering . . . yes, it distorts in that special way just like on the old songs!”
Equally excited for the new REDD.47 pre-amplifier is Abbey Road Studios’ Head of Audio Products, Mirek Stiles,
“Abbey Road Studios is proud to see the legendary REDD.47 microphone preamp brought back to life as a hardware unit. The distinctively warm and sometimes aggressive sound the REDD.47 is known for has made a huge impact on some of the most important historical recordings of all time. It’s very exciting to know the famous ‘edgy treble’ sound will now be available to engineers, producers and artists all over the world.”
Chandler Limited’s REDD.47 preamp has the ability to be used as a mic pre-amp, line amplifier, or serve as a D/I, and is sure to become a record production staple of recording studios worldwide.
Visit the Chandler Limited REDD.47 Pre Amp product page to learn more.
Chandler Limited expects to begin shipping the highly anticipated REDD.47 preamp during first quarter 2015.
Abbey Road Studios, EMI, REDD and their associated logos are trademarks of EMI (IP) Limited.
