Altec Lansing

This is a tube pre-amp, one of the best products of its era. The only way this could be hooked up to a modern DAW would be through the patch bay, as those are the only connections. There aren't any effects on this pre-amp, just a simply great tube sound. It is a rackable pre-amp but it works best as part of a console or in a similar position. UTILIZATION The impedance levels for this pre-amp are pretty high, so make sure you know how to solve this problem before you blow something up! Other than that, it's not a difficult pre-amp to use, it has your basic functions. It has an input gain knob, an output knob, and a 3 band EQ. It isn't really the most complex piece of equipment around. You will never find a manual for one of these machines, considering that the machines themselves are almost impossible to find nowadays. SOUND QUALITY This being an old pre-amp, it is really not transparent at all. I happen to think that this is a positive, rather than negative, trait. The color that this pre adds to vocals is pretty much unparalleled. It grew out of an era where there really wasn't any such thing as a transparent pre-amp. This is part of the reason that rock and roll records used to sound much better. That's really where the best use of these pre-amps comes from. You certainly wouldn't use these on a classical recording, or for foley recording. While the pre is limited in it's applications, there really aren't many better pre's for getting that warm, vintage vocal sound (Think Beatles, Buddy Holly, Elvis). Considering that I love this sound passionately, I am thrilled that the studio I work at owns one of these. OVERALL OPINION These are probably only worth getting if you are fanatical about vintage tones, like I am. I think that in general, most people wouldn't want something so expensive that is so limited in its application. I'm usually the same way, however, with a good vocal mic, you can't really top the sound that you can get with the combo. It's so warm and dynamic, and even when the instrument clips it still sounds OK. I think that most old-school engineers would find much to love here. Just be careful again with the impedance.

The Altec Lansing 1591 A is a hardware compressor. It has XLR connections in the back and is quite easy to follow in general. It is an all analog unit, and it is a rackable effect, that will take up two rack space units. UTILIZATION The general configuration of the Lansing 1591 A couldn't be easier to figure out. It has three knobs - one for mic gain, one of line gain, and one to set the threshold of the compression. It then has a switch to choose between two settings of release time. It is quite easy to get a good sound from this, as it is easy to figure out how to use. I don't have a manual for this, so I can't speak to how helpful it is or not, but you should be able to get a good sound from this without the manual. SOUND QUALITY The sound quality of the Altec Lansing 1591 A compressor is pretty awesome. It will add punch to your sound without coloring it. I've used it mostly on electric and acoustic guitars, drums, and bass guitar, but is suitable for just about anything. Getting a good sound is quick and easy, as it has your basic compressor parameters, and anyone who has experience with other compressors should be able to figure out how to use this pretty quick. The rich tone makes it a great overall compressor. OVERALL OPINION I've been using the Altec Lansing 1951 A for about a year and have always been happy with the sound I get from it. Since it is made by Altec Lansing, it comes with the connotation of classic top quality. This compressor is somewhat rare now, as they are no longer made. However, if you can find one used on eBay they will cost you around what a top quality compressor will cost these days. I'm not sure what other compressors I would compare this to, as it has a pretty unique tone and make up. While this isn't the best compressor I have ever heard, it has a great tone quality and is a great all purpose compressor.

The Altec Lansing 438 A is a really nice compressor and is a single channel analog compressor. It has 1/4 inch inputs and outputs in the back and also a 1/4 inch output for a sidechain. It is not rackable, but have seen people putting two of these in a single rack unit. UTILIZATION This compressor is really easy to use, and if you have any experience using a compressor you will be able to figure out how to use this. It has the basic compressor parameters - threshold, ratio, attack, release and gain. It also has a bypass switch, which always comes in handy, and super nice button. The manual for this put together well, but it is easy enough to use that I never really needed it. SOUND QUALITY The sound quality of this unit is by far its best quality, as the compression signal is clean and adds fullness to your sound. I have used this on everything from lead vocals to guitars to drums. I have found it works great in all types of situations and have used it both for tracking and mixing with good results. This will go beyond effectively compressing your signal, as it has its own sound to it. OVERALL OPINION The Lansing 438 A has built a reputation for itself as the best deal in pro audio because of the high sound quality and because it is about as cheap as you can get when buying a compressor of ANY quality! It is easy to get a good tone from this and the gain reduction metering is convenient and helpful. I love this compressor because of its high sound quality and because I can afford it! To me, this definitely holds up as not only being one of the best deals for a compressor but as being one of the best deals in all of pro audio!

The Altec Lansing 1592 B is an analog mixing amplifier and microphone preamplifier. It is uniquely designed, as it has five channels, each with their own parameters. I'm unsure of the connections that it has, as the one I've used was already racked up and routed through the patch bay, so there was no need to do any connecting in the back of it. However, I do believe that it has XLR for each of the channels. It is indeed in rack mountable form and will take up four spaces. UTILIZATION The configuration of the Altec Lansing 1592 B isn't too hard to understand, although it is a unique piece of equipment. Each of the five channels have leveling knobs, as well as gain switches that act as a pad. There is then a master volume knob that will control the level of all five of the channels. In addition to these basic parameters there is also a tone switch, a monitor volume control, and high and low pass filters. There is also a VU range knob that allows you to control your metering. The manual for the 1592 B is thorough and helpful. SOUND QUALITY You can use the Altec Lansing 1592 B in a few different ways. You can use as you would a mixer, or just use the preamplifiers in it on their own - the latter of which is what I've used it for. With the 1592 B you're getting five channels of good sounding mic pres if you decide to use it in this way, which is really the only way I'd recommend using it. You can use it as a mixer if you choose, but it's options are limited this way. I've found the pres on the 1592 B to be of good quality and to be useful on most applications, as I don't think that they would necessarily be suited best for any one situation. OVERALL OPINION The Altec Lansing 1592 B mixing amplifier is a pretty rare piece of equipment, as it isn't one that I have seen around too often. I would think that if you did find one, that it could be had at a pretty cheap price, and if this was the case I'd recommend picking it up. Even though they aren't the best sounding mic preamps in the world, considering that you're getting five of them in one unit, the 1592 B is a great deal for those who will find it...