Fairchild 660

The Fairchild 660 mono compressor, known for its iconic design and enduring appeal, has profoundly influenced the sound of modern music. Introduced in the 1950s, it quickly became one of the most sought-after studio tools, admired for its silky, musical compression and warm, harmonically rich character.
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Fairchild 660
Fairchild 660

Fairchild 660

The FAIRCHILD model 660 is a single channel compressor/limiter that has been used on many classic recordings throughout history. The world excepted standard for level control, the 660 is considered one of the most sought-after compressor / limiters ever made. Its ability to inject warmth and coloration to any signal, make it a must for any producer or audio engineer. Due to the popularity of the 670, only 1000 were ever built and very few original 660 are still in working condition. Designed and built by Rein Narma and recording legend Les Paul, the FAIRCHILD 660 is back. Built to original specifications, utilizing the same tubes and custom wound transformers, point to point soldering and turret style construction. Unlike other clones, the FAIRCHILD660 is made as close to the original as possible today.
Fairchild 660

Features

  • Mono operation
  • Six selectable time constants
  • Threshold, compression, and makeup gain controls
  • VU metering
  • Hand-wired point-to-point construction
  • Custom-designed transformers
  • Tube-driven amplification

Technical Specifications

INPUT AND OUTPUTIMPEDANCE: 600 Ω

RANGE OF INPUT LEVEL: -4dBm to +16dBm

OUTPUT LEVEL: +4 or +8dBVU (+27dBm clipping point)

GAIN: 16dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 40 cycles to 15 kc +/- 1dB

NOISE LEVEL: 70dB below +4dBm

LIMITING NOISES: Below audibility

INTERMODULATION DISTORTION:

Less than 1% at any level up to + 18 dBm output (no limiting)

Less than 1% at dBm limiting +12dBm output

TIME CONSTANT ATTACK AND RELEASE TIMES:

(Note: Positions 5 and 6 release times are automatic function of program material)

Position 1) .2 ms / .3 sec

Position 2) .2 ms / .8 sec

Position 3) .4 ms / 2 sec

Position 4) .4 ms / 5 sec

Position 5) .4 ms / .2 sec individual peaks, 10 sec multiple peaks

Position 6) .2 ms / .3 sec individual peaks, 10 sec multiple peaks, 25 sec consistently high program levels.

COMPRESSION RATIO:

A function of the amount of limiting as well as setting of the two threshold controls which can be set to operate at ratios from 2:1 to 30:1

POWER REQUIREMENTS: 120 or 240 volts, 60 cycles AC, 3 amps.

CONTROLS:

a) Input Gain control: Step attenuator: 1 dB per step.

b) Threshold Control: continuously variable.

c) Time Constant Switch: 6 positions to provide fixed and variable time constants for any type of program material.

d) Metering Switch: 3 positions so as to measure plate current of each control tube, or as a limiting indicator.

e) Mode Switch: A-B positions: Independent limiter.

f) On-off switch

INSTALLED TUBES: 4x 6386, 1x12AX7, 1xGZ34, 1x 12BH7, 1x 6BL7, 2x6V6GT, 1x E80F or (1x EF806), 1x 5651

Media

Fairchild 660
Fairchild 660
Fairchild 660
Fairchild 660

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