A-Designs PACIFICA - Manual (Page 3)

Introduction
Owner’s Manual | 3 Pacifica
A Designs Audio, Inc. Introduces the PACIFICA
Throughout the1970s, the American professional music recording industry was in its heyday. Popular artists like The Who,
The Beatles, The Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Jackson 5, Rolling Stones and Steely Dan were all at the top of the charts and
on every record player and eight track tape deck. Underground bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin were not on
the radio, but had ardent followers. The diversity and quality of new music was astounding.
The 1970s was also a time of great change in pro audio. The introduction of “solid state” electronics led to an explosion
in development and a very different sound than the tube gear of previous decades. The Recording Console in a high end
1970s studio was likely a Neve ® , an API ® , or a Quad Eight. These companies set the standards for audio quality – with a
unique sound firmly imprinted on the popular recordings of the era.
While much has been made currently with Neve and API reissues, interpretations and clones, the Quad Eight curiously
faded from view. The irony is that many engineers firmly believe the Quad Eight Ventura, Pacifica and Coronado consoles
to be sonically the very best of their day! A Designs Audio in West Hills California and pro audio designer Jon Erickson
teamed up to recover and restore this lost “sound” to the recording community. Significant effort over the past 2 years has
gone into the research of the origins of what was “The Quad Eight Sound”. Closely examining the design and composition
of these were both a nightmare and a joy. The original QE staff was hard to locate. Documentation, design and parts were
impossible to come by. Key parts were obsolete and not readily replaceable. After thousands of hours, endless listening
sessions and time at the bench with test circuits, a target emerged.
QE mic pres, such as those used in the Quad Eight Ventura, Coronado and Pacifica consoles, emerged as one of the best
examples of the unique Quad Eight tonal character. Thanks to critical efforts by Tom Reichenbach of Cinemag (whose
father designed the original Quad Eight transformers) Jon and A Designs developed a prototype dubbed “Pacifica” for its
decidedly West Coast vibe. The prototype was sent to a handful of devoted Quad Eight Console owners and mic pre fans
along with some of today’s talented recording engineers. The results were gratifying: Nearly all agreed the new A Designs
prototype was very close to the original Quad Eight sound, but with a tad more top end (exactly the target sound).
A Designs Audio is proud to introduce the “PACIFICA”, a single rack space, dual (mono/mono) channel microphone
pre amplifier that comes amazingly close to the original in looks and sound. There are few, but valuable improvements,
such as a front panel active hi-z ¼ inch input that places the input transformer directly in the signal path for a huge direct
sound. The PACIFICA possesses a uniquely “Made in California” feel, with a significant heft from the huge transformers
contained within. The original cream colored panel and red knob scheme was retained and is supplied with an outboard
power supply for the lowest possible noise floor. We think the A Designs PACIFICA will achieve an instant classic status,
becoming an important part of “must haves” for years to come.