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RS660-101022
INTRODUCTION
RS660 Compressor
Thank you for purchasing the Chandler Limited RS660 Com-
pressor, you now own a piece of EMI/Abbey Road Studios
official equipment.
Rather than a reproduction of existing equipment, the RS660
Compressor stands apart and represents a path forward in
the recording engineering development department. Capa-
ble of taming an array of dynamic sources, the new RS660
Compressor and limiter is at home alongside the historic
units from which it was hewn and adds to the modern engi-
neer’s cache of analog signal processors.
Where form follows function, the feature set is straight for-
ward, easily identifiable and neatly arranged. However, upon
initial listen, the tone and character of the RS660 is remark-
able; the engineer will find it effortless to quickly realize a
sound and desired result.
Your Chandler Limited RS660 Compressor has been care-
fully crafted and built by hand at Chandler Limited’s factory
in Shell Rock IA, U.S.A., using through-hole components for,
the ultimate analog experience.
At Chandler Limited we are proud of our American made
products and we hope you like them!
Please feel free to call our shop anytime for help or ques-
tions.
Phone: (319) 885-4200.
History
The Fairchild 660 mono
valve
(vacuum tube) compressor ar-
rived at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios in 1964.
The Fairchild 660 found favor with Abbey Road’s engineers
for vocals and drums and became a staple for The Beatles’
records.
The Fairchild 660 — which has a different vibe than the ste-
reo 670 — is highly desired for its unique tonal quality and
reactivity.
The sound of the Fairchild 660 gave vocals a presence to the
sound and its effect on Ringo’s drums made cymbals sound
backwards. It was used for a sound and it made a statement.
First designed in 1960 by Abbey Road Technical staff, the EMI
RS124 compressor is one of the most coveted pieces of re-
cording gear ever developed.
During the late 1950’s, EMI acquired Altec 436B compres-
sors, and soon realized the units were insufficient for criti-
cal recording applications. Livey, Page and Batchelor worked
to modify the Altecs to meet their standards and ultimately
ended up designing an entirely new compressor in the pro-
cess, the EMI RS124.
The RS124 was popular with Abbey Road Studios’ engineers.
The RS124 added its unique character to single instruments,
rhythm busses and entire mixes. So integral to the recording,
mixing, and mastering process, a pair can be seen in almost
every control room photo in Abbey Road during the 60s pe-
riod.
OFFICIAL
EQUIPMENT
