meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Recording Studio Rockstars

RSR269 - Bill Cheney - Spectra 1964 & The STX 600 Complimiter

Recording Studio Rockstars

Lij Shaw

Music

4.8543 Ratings

🗓️ 30 October 2020

⏱️ 91 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

My guest today is Bill Cheney co-owner with Jim Romney of Spectra1964. Bill designs mic pre amps, eqs, and compressor limiters for studios following in the footsteps of William Dilley who founded the original Spectra Sonics company in 1964.

Bill has been a guest on the podcast before to talk about the history of Spectra Sonics and Spectra 1964 on episode RSR227. So if you want to learn more about the background go back and check that episode out. Bill talked about the original Spectra 101 amplifier circuit, its original role in the military as part of the Minute Man missile defence system, and the history of the Spectra consoles at the Record Plant and Stax Studio.

Today Bill and Jim are taking the classic sound of the Spectra 101 amplifier and retrofitting it into 500 modules to allow us to get that same incredible sound in our pro and home studios. Bill has already brought us the STX100 mic pre, the STX 500 eq, and now has also taken the classic C610 complimiter design and found a way to add that as well bringing us the STX600 Complimiter Microphone Preamplifier.

So today we're going to catch up with Bill and Spectra1964 find out what's new and learn more about the new STX 600 module and how to properly record with them.

Thanks to our sponsors!

JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at JZmic.com

PreSonus Studio One: https://www.presonus.com

Spectra1964: https://www.spectra1964.com

OWC: Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

iZotope: iZotope.com/Rockstars code ROCK10 10% off

API Audio: http://www.apiaudio.com

Soundporter Mastering: https://www.soundporter.com

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/269

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This episode of Recording Studio Rockstars is brought to you by OWC, PreSonus, API Audio, Isotope, Sound Porter, Mastering, JZ microphones, and Spectra-1964,

0:14.0

on the JZB-B-29 microphone through the Spectra-1964 STX-100 Micpre, C-610 Complementer, and Isotope RX, and Ozone.

0:24.4

So get ready to rock.

0:28.1

And that's the first thing you hear with our...

0:31.0

A drum sounds like a drum.

0:32.4

Kick sounds like a kick, a snare sounds like a snare.

0:34.7

The harmonics are there.

0:36.0

The dynamic range is there.

0:37.7

Nothing is lost due to clipping or noise added to the system.

0:41.8

The dynamic range is natural.

0:43.4

It's so present.

0:44.7

Base isn't artificially boosted,

0:46.4

and the high frequency isn't boosted or cut.

0:48.4

Whatever goes in comes out.

0:53.7

Music Welcome to Recording Studio Rockstars.

1:03.8

I'm Lid Shaw, and this is the podcast created to help you become a rock star of the recording studio.

1:15.6

I've got two words for you that will help you make your best record ever and not lose it.

1:21.6

Storage and backup. You want fast drives for composing and recording and reliable drives for backup so you don't lose all

1:28.8

your hard work when something goes wrong. That's why I chose OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G internal

1:35.4

SSDs for my studio computer and Mercury Elite Pro external drives for archiving. Discover the best

1:42.0

OWC drive options for your studio at macsales.com slash rock stars.

1:50.5

The Spectre 1964 STX-100 micpre provides unequaled headroom and linear output regardless of transient

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Lij Shaw, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Lij Shaw and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.