The Chandler Limited TG Microphone Cassette is a full-featured mixing
console channel strip, incorporating elements of the historic EMI/Abbey
Road Studios TG12345 recording and mastering desks of the late ‘60s and
‘70s.
TG MICROPHONE CASSETTE
Chandler Limited’s critically acclaimed TG1 Limiter, TG2 Pre-Amp, and
Curve Bender EQ, each known for their remarkable reproduction of the EMI
TG sound, have been combined to form the ultimate TG Microphone
Cassette reimagined to work in a modern recording studio context.
PRE-AMP
The pre-amp section of the TG Microphone Cassette makes use of the
Chandler Limited TG2 pre-amplifier based on the vintage EMI TG12428. The
TG2 pre-amp section includes switchable coarse and variable fine gain
adjustment controls for up to +70db overall gain, selectable LINE, DI,
48V phantom power, phase reverse, and switchable rumble filter (low
cut.)
The TG2 pre-amp section is coupled directly to the Curve Bender equalizer section.
EQ
The TG Microphone Cassette’s equalizer section is derived from the famed
and greatly expanded Chandler Limited EMI TG12345 Curve Bender EQ. The
Curve Bender EQ section provides Hi and Low shelf, frequency selectable
presence, output control, and bypass functionality.
The Curve Bender EQ section is the second stage of the TG2 pre-amp
section, and the EQ output control works as a fader would on a console.
LIMITER
The compressor/limiter section of the TG Microphone Cassette is a
special adaptation of the Chandler Limited TG1 Limiter tracing its
lineage to the historic EMI TG12413 mixing and mastering console
limiters.
EMI technical engineers experimented with the use of optos in their
audio compressors, and now for the first time ever Chandler Limited
introduces the TG1 Opto Limiter.
The TG1 Opto Limiter section of the TG Microphone Cassette is fully
independent and separately patchable (via standard XLR connection) apart
from the TG2 Pre Amp / Curve Bender EQ section, allowing for use of the
compressor/limiter individually on sources. An XLR cable (purchased
separately) is required to patch the TG1 Opto Limiter into the
Cassette's chain.
The TG1 Opto is stereo linkable to a second unit via a standard ¼” cable.
The TG1 Opto Limiter’s feature-set includes: HOLD, Attack, Release,
selectable sharp/rounded knee, output or makeup gain, and true bypass.
POWER
All TG units require and function on the PSU-1, Chandler Limited power
supply. The PSU-1 has an internal switch for setting voltage to 120V or
220V (115V/230V). For more information please call us at (319) 885-4200.
TG HISTORY
Conceived from meetings in 1967 between Abbey Road engineers and EMI’s
Central Research Laboratories technical team, the EMI TG12345 desk
(later known as Mark I) would usher in a sea change in sound and
flexibility at Abbey Road Studios.
The new transistor based EMI TG12345 recording console was modular in
design, with twelve dual channel microphone “cassettes.” The TG desks
featured expanded EQ, and for the first time ever, a compressor/limiter
on every channel. The compressor was originally supposed to replicate
the sound and behavior of the Fairchild 660 and RS124 tube devices, but
ended up with a completely unique sound in its own right.
Installed in Abbey Road’s Studio Two in November 1968 and making its
debut on an 8-track recording by the Shadows, the new transistor desk
marked a departure from the earlier REDD valve consoles. The following
year, the EMI TG12345 desk helped shape the sound of the Beatles’ final
album, Abbey Road, which was markedly richer sounding to that of the
band’s earlier work. The sonic qualities of classics like “Here Comes
the Sun,” “Come Together” and “Something” would have been very different
without the EMI TG12345.
The desk encountered many revisions throughout the ‘70s and became
the main recording console used throughout the studios until 1983. The
EMI TG12345 console Marks I–IV were used on everything from Pink
Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here to John
Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band, George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass to
epic film scores including Raiders of the Lost Ark.
The EMI TG12345 was never commercially available to the public.
Chandler Limited is the only company in the world authorized to
develop, manufacture and market the “Official Equipment” of EMI/Abbey
Road Studios.
Abbey Road Studios, EMI and TG and their associated logos are trade marks of EMI (IP) Limited.
Tech Specs
TG Microphone Cassette Technical Specifications
Channels |
Mono |
TG2 Preamp |
Transistor amplifier |
Mic/Line |
XLR Input (Transformer balanced, Mic 300O Impedance) |
DI |
1/4” Unbalanced |
Maximum gain |
+70db, Coarse Gain (Stepped +20 to +60db), Fine Gain (Variable ±10db) |
Rumble Filter (Low Cut) |
6 Frequencies (Out, 33,41,47,65,82,110hz) |
Phantom power, Phase |
Phantom (+48V), Phase( 0/180º) |
Curve Bender EQ |
Treble/Bass Shelf, Presence (Out, 300hz,500hz,1.2k,3.6k,6.5k), Output control, Bypass, XLR Output |
TG1 Opto Limiter |
Independently patachable (XLR I/O), Hold, Attack,
Release, Knee (Sharp/Rounded), Output (makeup gain), Bypass, Linkable
(1/4” Jack) |
Power |
External/PSU-1, Purchased separately |