Auditronics

by Mx. Remy Ann David
(Washington DC)

Auditronics was a manufacturer of recording consoles made in Memphis, Tennessee.

The original premiere console they introduced, the 501 also dubbed " Son of 36 Grand ".

This console utilized all IC chip op amps with buffered transistor outputs, with Dean Jensen Transformers, with an output drive capability of +24 dbM, into a 600 ohm load.

It was a quadraphonic console with 26 inputs, 16 outputs and a quadraphonic mix bus.

Within the console there was also a comprehensive TT patchbay.

There were two versions of the 501. The original and the later version. Though modules could not be swapped between the two versions of the same console.

Later, Auditronics offered up a smaller more compact and lower-cost version dubbed the " Grandson ". It was available in both 18 and 24 input frames. It was the model 110-4. Later in the 110-8 was offered. This was electronically identical to the 501's, with one less knob on the EQ. This version had 3 knobs and 6 frequency selections. The Harris Corporation that build professional broadcast transmitters, also offered the 110 rebranded as a Harris.

As the recording industry waned, numerous broadcast, on-air console's for radio, were offered up. They were quite popular.

As the company began to falter, they were absorbed by Wheatstone of North Carolina.

Tom Scholz of the group Boston, cut the premier album in 1976 on his Auditronics 501 into his 12 track, 1 inch, Bridgeport Scully 280-8.

Mx. Remy Ann David