technology of the AKG BX spring reverbs, mainly the BX-20

[jamesfei]

Fairchild had a tube spring reverb; we had one at Barclay studios, but I never had the opportunity to listen to it; it had been decommissioning years before my time there (mid '70's)

Sorry for the off-topic post, but did Barclay have that custom console with Langevin amps/eq's and German faders while you were there? I always thought that was an odd configuration, and a beautiful desk.

best,

James

 

[abbey road d enfer]

Yes, it was used for transfer for cassette production and radio copies.
I must say I don't remember it very well because it never had any problems.
I can't say the same about the infamous custom Neve...

 

[jamesfei]

Yes, it was used for transfer for cassette production and radio copies.
I must say I don't remember it very well because it never had any problems.
I can't say the same about the infamous custom Neve...

Ouch! That must have made a very fine duplication console--I don't imagine that it still exists in one (or any) piece. Thanks for the note.

 

[abbey road d enfer]

I don't know. I lost track when all the gear was sold at an auction (I think it was 1981). Purchased by someone who wanted to set up a mastering lab, but I think it didn't happen. Probably sitting in a basement somewhere...

 

[jeremyjohnson44]

Anyone know where I can find a coil, I've got a bad one in my BX-20. abbey road d enfer wrote about some NOS parts, hope some are around. They're pretty tiny so I don't know who would have them. Probably would have to salvage out of another non-working unit I'm guessing.
Anybody have any suggestions.
Thanks 

 

[speakercoil]

I don't know. I lost track when all the gear was sold at an auction (I think it was 1981). Purchased by someone who wanted to set up a mastering lab, but I think it didn't happen. Probably sitting in a basement somewhere...

::sigh:: such a shame... I hate it when good pieces of gear are lying in a basement graveyard somewhere. We can only hope some engineering genius ends up landing himself a sick deal to purchase the whole lot of gear and brings it back to its former glory.

-Grant

 

[pierre245]

Hi dear BX lovers, if you Still there... Does someone knows a way to check the integrity of the Coil Of the Reverb ? I have one old but want check if everything is ok there ... Thanks

 

[zamproject]

Hi Pierre
That's a long shoot from 15 years old discussion...

IIRC, coils should measure around 200Ω DCR, easy with a Ωmeter, however you should disconnect the DIN connector from drivers PCB to measure the coil only,

Mine develop strange issue...the TO gold can on top of magnet/coil assembly in the tank, which seem to only be an isolated connection from standard audio wire to coil wire, tend to leak and -short- to gnd...substrate/epoxy time deterioration ?!?

After many check and attempt I get infinitΩ coils, don't know if I broke something or if the coil burned at some point, but as I'm mostly unable to see coil wire event with magnifying I give up for the moment...
Since the BX20 is sitting unused in the machine room

BX20 service manual is all around, just have a search and a read, almost everything is in.

 

[pierre245]

So sad to see yours have burning coil ... I have find a service manual but only 6 pages , a bit short ... But I will relook into. Mine have not bad Sound = no click or noise. But looks Decay not exactly same L and R - I dont have any Decay remote so maybe its related.

The things I question about sound= for example when i use for percussive Sound like a snare , I Can hear like a kind Of little écho or a kind Of little predelay with Big rolloff on the Sound like 0.5 sec on L and 0.6 on R.... Its not nécessary bad but not Shure about that behavior in the Sound....

The most important I want to check the bandwidth, I know bx20 is kind Of darker sound but I prefer measure .... Sound is interesting but have no références. Its a bit kind Of lo-fi Reverb now , un YT vidéos or plugs the BX20 looks différent...

Thanks for answer me After 15 years there, Hope there is a way for your coil

Can you use it as mono tank ?

Bx20 lovers