Presto 160A and 190A Equalizers...Differences

[MBL]

Howdy all. Since this is kinda specific, I added a new thread. Does anyone know what the difference is between the Presto 160A and the 190A equalizer attachments? I know the 160A also needs either a switch box or a rack mounted companion, but I don't know if a 190A does. Is anyone using one of these for 33 1/3 RPM recordings?
Thanks for any insight!
Tim
MBL

[tragwag]

I've never seen anyone use either of these.
I always use the computer EQ with automation.
Though I can understand for your analog setup you would want the Presto auto-EQ.

[MBL]

Yeah. I'd at least like to get it working to see all what it does. I have a 190A slder unit and a switch box, but the 3 deck switch got busted pretty good. Anyone know how I can find a replacement? Or perhaps someone on here may have a switch unit they'd part with?
Tim
MBL

[Steve E.]

Tim, I might. I have no idea if it works. Be in touch.

EDIT: Ooops. what I have is the slider unit. Well, be in touch anyway. send pix of what you have.

[Steve E.]

Here's something....there was a 92A cutter amp. Then there was a 92B cutter amp. My understanding of the difference between them is that the 92B has the EQ circuitry integrated into it. Perhaps the difference in these EQ units corresponds to that difference.

For others who have NO idea what we are talking about.....

The Presto 6N, which was a classic radio transcription cutting lathe of the 1940s and 50s, cut at 78 rpm and 33 1/3 rpm. It could cut outside-in and inside-out, and it was designed to cut 16" discs for radio.

Well! In the era before stylus heating and vacuuming of the swarf (cut threads), there was a real problem on 33.33 RPM as you moved toward or away from the middle of the disc. The inner grooves sounded dull. There was less high end.

So their solution was a sliding unit that would adjust the EQ as the cutterhead moved to the middle of the disc. It cranked the high end, basically, gradually. Kinda brilliant solution.

[MBL]

I have a slider unit and the switch unit. Mine is the 190-A Slider. The switch unit appears to have selections for frequency ranges...and the switch also has a provision that would make it so two turntables could be filtered through the range feature. My switch for the frequency range is busted up.
Tim
MBL

[MBL]

The EQ may be a project for down the road a bit. I think getting the cutter working at 78 rpm will be a feat in itself. I should be close to this at some point in the coming months.
Tim
MBL

[Steve E.]

please post pix!

[MBL]

Pics for Steve!









The slider unit is actually intact. And the switch unit, has damage related to the rotary switch only that I can see. I might be inclined to buy another whole switching unit to copy, but it might just be a distraction from themain goal. I do like to make things the way they were originally intended. The switch unit seems to be designed in such a way as to be used with two sliders and turntables. Extended recording seems to be the goal here with that functionality. My focus is to record some traditional rockabilly on acetate...so. eh.
Tim
MBL

[MBL]

This is a SA-9 switch. The functionality of this would be to have two turntables hooked up to one recording amp. The moment you run out of space on the first table, the switch will swap the power and signal to the other table waiting for use. I believe this type of unit was used on lathes and tape decks. Likely will not be used as intended, but still cool to have.
Tim
MBL

[Steve E.]

Consider that it was typical for a radio station to have two 6Ns. One was set up to record out to in, the other to record in to out (typically...though that was especially to minimize the EQ difference between the out and the in, so maybe this unit reduced the need for the different directions). They were recording live programs, either for their archives or for rebroadcast later. I'm guessing that was connected to the purpose of the switching box.