Beatles Altec compressors

Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 11:05 am

Hello Everyone,
I've always heard that Paul's bass went through a TUBE version of the Altec comp. Maybe a 436 or 438C. Now while looking at page 165 of "the complete Beatles Recording Sessions" I'm seeing what appear to be Altec comps, but they appear closer to the 1591A.
436/438's all have one knob (volume) to the left of the meter. These have two knobs in that position like the 1591A.
I'd love to know once and for all just what model it was. Would someone be a lamb and tell me.
Thanks, Jules

Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 7:17 pm

Welcome to RO Jules and I am sure someone here can help out with this intriguing question!

Treena :h:

Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 8:15 pm

Hey Jules, welcome man. Someone here should know this... :c:

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 4:14 pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Julius Borges:
Hello Everyone,
I've always heard that Paul's bass went through a TUBE version of the Altec comp. Maybe a 436 or 438C. Now while looking at page 165 of "the complete Beatles Recording Sessions" I'm seeing what appear to be Altec comps, but they appear closer to the 1591A.
436/438's all have one knob (volume) to the left of the meter. These have two knobs in that position like the 1591A.
I'd love to know once and for all just what model it was. Would someone be a lamb and tell me.
Thanks, Jules

:h: Treena

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 4:29 pm

Hey Trina,

Thanks so much for keepin' my question on the boards.
Best Wishes, jules

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 4:36 pm

oh, oh sorry about that, Treena.

God, I'm such an idiot!!!!!

that short term memory is fried!

now I'll never get an answer!!!!!!!!

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 6:07 pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Treena Foster:

Quote:

Originally posted by Julius Borges:
[b] Hello Everyone,
I've always heard that Paul's bass went through a TUBE version of the Altec comp. Maybe a 436 or 438C. Now while looking at page 165 of "the complete Beatles Recording Sessions" I'm seeing what appear to be Altec comps, but they appear closer to the 1591A.
436/438's all have one knob (volume) to the left of the meter. These have two knobs in that position like the 1591A.
I'd love to know once and for all just what model it was. Would someone be a lamb and tell me.
Thanks, Jules

:h: Treena [/b]

You gotta love her!

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 7:35 pm

She's a trooper for sure! Who ya gonna call? :w:

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 8:46 pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Treena Foster:

Quote:

Originally posted by Julius Borges:
[b] Hello Everyone,
I've always heard that Paul's bass went through a TUBE version of the Altec comp. Maybe a 436 or 438C. Now while looking at page 165 of "the complete Beatles Recording Sessions" I'm seeing what appear to be Altec comps, but they appear closer to the 1591A.
436/438's all have one knob (volume) to the left of the meter. These have two knobs in that position like the 1591A.
I'd love to know once and for all just what model it was. Would someone be a lamb and tell me.
Thanks, Jules

:h: Treena [/b]

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2003 7:19 am

Hi ya'll...perhaps if you post this question over to the 'hardware' section you'll get a response.My knowledge of the hardware on this is limited, but I know how they got the bass so big.All Beatle recordings were done in stages and then 'reduced' from three or four tracks to one or two.Paul usually cut the final bass part at the end thus making it a first generation and the ONLY first generation in the mix.

That being said it seems I read somewhere the in an interview Geoff Emerick,the main engineer, said that there was a Fairchild or an EMI of some kind in use for this very purpose.

Respected Past Moderator Joined: Mar 13, 2001 Posts: 1256

Quote:

Originally posted by Treena Foster:

Quote:

Originally posted by Julius Borges:
[b] Hello Everyone,
I've always heard that Paul's bass went through a TUBE version of the Altec comp. Maybe a 436 or 438C. Now while looking at page 165 of "the complete Beatles Recording Sessions" I'm seeing what appear to be Altec comps, but they appear closer to the 1591A.
436/438's all have one knob (volume) to the left of the meter. These have two knobs in that position like the 1591A.
I'd love to know once and for all just what model it was. Would someone be a lamb and tell me.
Thanks, Jules

:h: Treena [/b]

Sorry...but I'd like to answer that when I worked with Ringo, The Producer asked Paul what strings he used on the bass (expecting some wisdom)...Paul just said in pure Beatle fashion... "I don't knwo...long silver ones I think..."

I don't know the real answer... but when you find out let us know....

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2003 4:11 pm

hey davedog,

thanks for posting. in an interview in "behind the glass" by howard massey, geoff emerick says that he used a c12 in figure of eight and an altec compressor on paul's bass.
he mentions that the fairchild was used on drums and that john loved it on his voice.
sorry i'm not using capital letters, i've got a broken wrist so i'm back to typing with one finger!
best wishes, jules

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2003 4:33 pm

Jules, I hope you have a speedy recovery! Wink

I was hoping you might have a link to the "Behind the Glass" by Howard Massey, article. Thanks in advance.

:h: Treena

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2003 5:52 pm

Julius...I do believe yer right ...and I'm thinking thats where I read that.Isnt that a collection of RE's reminincing about famous sessions??

It was a good move to this locale for this subject as theres more than likely to be more folks who'll answer here.I mean guitarists and bassists are really only one link in the food chain from ......drummers.(hiya Rod)....

Oh wait....I'M ONE OF THOSE!!!! Surprised

:d:

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2003 5:58 pm

:w: I found it HERE

:h: Treena

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