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MICROPHONES
OUTBOARD
SOFTWARE
MONITORS
INSTRUMENTS
This BA-6A has been given a thorough electrical restoration including wiring, new interstage transformer (T2), three octal can-cap sockets replaced (C17, C19, C2), new input, output and power connectors, meter lamps, a full tube complement and a new chassis to top it all off.
A favorite of Jimmy Page, especially on acoustic guitar, the RCA BA-6A compressor/limiter has huge amounts of gain, with loads of grit and character. It is known for its robust tone and slower release character and can work beautifully on some tracks for bass, snare, guitars and other instruments where you're looking for something 'special' to fatten things up. More of a compressor than a limiter, the BA-6A has a unique character that has yet to be replicated in any plug-in. Thick, fat and gluey sounding, this compressor will add some depth and funk to the flat picture of Pro Tools. Far too many of these went into the dumpster when the age of transistors arrived. Here's a rare chance to own the real deal!
The BA-6A delivers a balanced, compression character with moderate drive, a hard knee, fast attack, and medium release. It excels at taming aggressive, peaking instruments and unruly mixes while preserving their punch, energy, and musicality. Its distinctive circuitry provides high gain and a fat, gritty sonic character. Under the hood, the BA-6A features a three-stage amplifier, nine valves, a rectifier, and a voltage regulator, combining to produce a rich palette of harmonically saturated tones. Its unique character and natural thickening effect make it an easy go-to for adding weight and presence to snares, kicks, bass, vocals, and other sources—even when using only subtle amounts of compression.
"The BA-6A is a balanced, three-stage amplifier which uses commonly available tube types that do not require special selection or matching. The use of high-quality components and the straightforwardness of design, employing only 9 tubes including rectifier and voltage regulator, insure a maximum degree of reliability. Fewer tubes, fewer types (only 6) and fewer stages of simplified design result in lower tube costs, low initial cost and reduced power input requirements.
"The BA-6A Limiting Amplifier also incorporates those features which are found in other RCA high-quality broadcast audio amplifiers. The amplifier with its self-contained power supply is constructed on a plug-in chassis for shelf mounting and is therefore readily removable for inspection and service. All controls, tubes, and plug-in capacitors are accessible from the front.
"A rotary selector switch permits use of the four-inch illuminated meter for measuring gain reduction, the cathode current of all amplifier tubes, tube balance and d-c filament voltage. Plate and heater power are available for operating a pre-amplifier in applications where additional gain is required. The rotary switch (BAL-LIM) provided on the front panel also permits selection of a filter with either a single or dual time constant. In the "single" position the attack time is 0.0006 seconds. In the "dual" position the recovery time is lengthened to two seconds on sustained peaks."
The best gear advice always comes from those who use it the most. That's where you come in! Let the pro audio world hear your voice with a review of the RCA BA-6A Mono Tube Compressor/Limiter #M3406 (Vintage) . Once you submit your review, please check your email and verify your address to have it posted.
