In a instant of ‘full circlism’ for CEO Invoice Putnam Jr, Common Audio has acquired the famous Studio Electronics Corp tube mixing desk that was designed by Putnam Jr’s father, Bill Putnam Sr, for Caesars Palace resort, Las Vegas, in 1966.
The classic bespoke desk, which came to be known as Caesars Console, went on to be employed to mix live performances by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Diana Ross, George Burns, Tina Turner and many extra, providing it big historic importance. For Putnam Jr, however, it represents a lot more than basically a technological accomplishment.
“This isn’t just a piece of machines it connects me with my father,” he suggests. “I deeply admire the craftsmanship of his do the job and the historical importance of this console’s journey. Bringing it residence is my way of preserving his legacy and inspiring new innovation below at UA.”
Putnam Sr established the first Common Audio in 1958, and utilised the name on his audio merchandise until eventually the mid-’70s. UA was restarted in 1999 by his sons, Jim and Invoice Putnam Jr, who have revived their father’s typical components in DSP-powered and indigenous plugin variety.
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The Caesars Console includes 38 UA 1008 tube preamp modules 21 UA 508 EQ modules on every single channel and the echo sends a few UA 550 filters a few UA 500 EQs and 3 Langevin 252 Graphic EQs. You’ll also discover colour‑coded Langevin faders – blue, yellow, and green – arranged in a few banks of 6.
Putnam Jr bought the console on Reverb, and Jim Tuerk, Reverb’s Director of Small business Development, is delighted to have served. “We’re thrilled to assist carry this console residence to UA and see it keep on to inspire creativeness in the course of this up coming phase of its lifestyle,” he confirms.
The console was mounted at Caesars Palace’s Circus Maximus, a supper club at the hotel. It was utilised there right until the last present on 3 September 2000, soon after which the location was knocked down to make way for an additional improvement.
In accordance to pro audio supplier LA Classic Audio, the company that’s now sold the desk to UA, when Circus Maximus closed, the console was taken house by a sound engineer, and numerous of its factors ended up marketed off. However, what remained of it was later ordered by actor Vincent Gallo, who tracked down all the original amplifiers and restored it.
The console then identified its way into the hands of producer Chris Nelson, who had it at Seem Room Studios in LA, in advance of it was procured and subsequently bought by LA Vintage Audio.
UA says that it now ideas to research Caesars Console, examine its background, integrate it into its amenities, and use it to “inspire and condition the next era of audio professionals”.
