For a while now I had TWO mono 422A compressors, one of them defect,
the other working flawless all these years !
- I do really like the 422A and often use it on vocals, sometimes on
bass with great results although it can be a bit tricky to dial in the
right stuff and it seems I am the only one using it frequently here at
the studio. It seems the longer I live with this comp the more I like
it ..... Therefore I am making an attempt to repair the second one to
eventually operate a "stereo" pair. Unfortunately it seems impossible
to buy parts for it the regular way - there's the release potentiometer
missing and the power on/off switch has gone to heaven! I didn't find
any schematics for it and I have been told the power switch is not made
anymore. Maybe someone has an idea how to replace these parts? And in
case I am able to revive this comp - is it possible to link two 422's
to be a stereo pair? Or is this only possible with the 424? And should
I replace some other parts (like caps, op amps) while I am at it? And
is there any difference between one 424 compared to two 422's ? .....
and while I am posting and hoping that THE Robert Orban might read this
or maybe even answer, I want to say thanks - Orban gear is wonderful
and unique - we still have a bunch of vintage boxes here at the studio:
642B, 622B, 111B Reverb, 422A, 245F Stereo Synthesizer .... and I
wouldn't want to record or mix without them! Talking about the 245F: it
does some weird cool stuff mixing bass thru it! It ads some subtle
lower midrange (in stereo?) which makes the bass guitar sit better in
most mixes - and it's mono compatible .... or am I already deaf and
nobody told me cause I can't hear? By the way - anybody know what
these A's B's F's stand for?

Parrot Recording Studios
Nel Gerome

Nel Gerome wrote:
For a while now I had TWO mono 422A compressors, one of them defect,
the other working flawless all these years !
- I do really like the 422A and often use it on vocals, sometimes on
bass with great results although it can be a bit tricky to dial in the
right stuff and it seems I am the only one using it frequently here at
the studio. It seems the longer I live with this comp the more I like
it ..... Therefore I am making an attempt to repair the second one to
eventually operate a "stereo" pair. Unfortunately it seems impossible
to buy parts for it the regular way - there's the release potentiometer
missing and the power on/off switch has gone to heaven!

The service manuals are available on the ftp site at ftp.orban.com.
They should have the pots in stock, although they won't be cheap.
For the switch you may have to use a different-looking toggle switch.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."