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Midas 1kw block amps. |
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jbl_man 
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Joined: 12 January 2005 Location: London. Status: Offline Points: 11308 |
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 Posted: 01 October 2024 at 9:01am |
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Interesting that there isn't even a power-on indicator light, you would have thought they could have fitted a simple neon , as they were available then.
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Be seeing you.
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madboffin
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Joined: 03 July 2009 Location: Milton Keynes Status: Offline Points: 1720 |
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Posted: 01 October 2024 at 3:12pm |
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There is a neon indicator - it's a small round one in a metal housing, next to the XLNE power connector. They fit a 1/4" hole. The one in the picture has lost its red plastic top - very common with those neons. They break off very easily. The later version is all plastic and instead of the top falling off, the whole thing breaks into pieces - that's progress for you...
Edited by madboffin - 01 October 2024 at 3:13pm |
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jazomir
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Joined: 20 November 2006 Location: Sunderland UK Status: Offline Points: 1759 |
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Posted: 01 October 2024 at 5:15pm |
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Martin did a similar stack, IIRC, that had the 4x12 bass cab partnered with a mid/high cab containing 2x12 ATC, Vitavox horn +JBL or Gauss driver + 2xJBL 075 ring radiators. I haven't got a picture but I'm sure that Tangerine Dream used them and a pic of one appears on one of their albums. I seem to remember the Midas power blocks that used to be on display in Midas' shop in East Finchley until 1972 or 73 although I may be mistaken on that. (I'm beginning to sound like the frozen Captain in Dark Star but I'm still alive - I think).
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For sidefills, can we have two enormous things of a type that might be venerated as Gods by the inhabitants of Easter Island, capable of reaching volumes that would make Beelzebub soil his pants.
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madboffin
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Joined: 03 July 2009 Location: Milton Keynes Status: Offline Points: 1720 |
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Posted: 01 October 2024 at 10:10pm |
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Yes Trevor, that was the B600 + SM250S + 3-way active crossover, known as an SM1000, and advertised as a side monitor (hence the SM designation). I have found an ancient spec sheet. The SM250 had 2x ATC 12" and a Gauss HF4000 on radial horn, which would certainly have been a Vitavox. The SM250S had an added 075 supertweeter. Size was listed as 3ft 4-1/2" x 2ft 2-3/4" x 2ft 5", "with flight case lid in place" and the weight was 170 lbs. The B600 was described as a 12 cu.ft. bass reflex cabinet with 4 ATC12" wired in two 4 ohm pairs. Size was 3ft 6" high x 2ft 6" wide x 2ft 4" deep, again "with flight case lid in place" with a weight of 200 lbs. There was also an SM350, same as SM250 but with 3x 12" instead of two, intended for vocals only. None of these descriptions quite match the unit in the Midas/Martin picture above (although I do have an original photograph of that low+mid cabinet), and I don't have any pictures of the SM250 or 350. Edited by madboffin - 01 October 2024 at 10:13pm |
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Fairchild
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Joined: 19 November 2024 Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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Posted: 19 November 2024 at 3:53am |
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Any assistance would be appreciated. I just acquired one of these Midas 1kw block amps but it did not come with a power cable or manual. I got the original 1981 purchase receipt from Delicate Productions in CA with it but nothing else.
I feel silly asking but I'm not sure where the power connector is. Is it the female XLR style jack, with the 2 RED shields on 2 of the pins? Would anyone know where to get a power cable for this monster or if it can be wired for a standard amp/appliance cord? Thanks for your help! |
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kedwardsleisure
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Joined: 20 January 2009 Location: Staffordshire Status: Offline Points: 5157 |
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Posted: 19 November 2024 at 10:57am |
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IT's a Neutrik FC power connector, similar to an XLR but rated for mains use.
They're obsolete, I would change it for something more practical like a powercon. link |
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Kevin
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Fairchild
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Joined: 19 November 2024 Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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Posted: 20 November 2024 at 2:21am |
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Thanks so much kedwards, great to learn what the actual name of this connector is. I see I can get a match set on Ebay but I believe I can swap it out for a standard IEC socket. Thanks for the info and link! http://www.ebay.com/itm/166060898816 - www.ebay.com/itm/166060898816
Edited by Fairchild - 20 November 2024 at 2:22am |
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madboffin
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Posted: 21 November 2024 at 6:01pm |
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Before Neutrik made them, they were known as Cannon LNE (Live-Neutral-Earth) sometimes referred to as XLNE. I think they were originally designed for the BBC, and sold by the British subsidiary of ITT-Cannon. Although commonly used in broadcast equipment, they went out of use due to changes in British Standards for connector safety that meant they (and a lot of other mains connectors of the time) became restricted to use at 50 Volts or less. They will be quite hard to find in the States and as Kevin says, best replaced with something more modern. Your idea of a standard IEC is best, if you can find one to fit the available space. You have a little piece of pro audio industry history there, and Delicate were probably the first Martin/Midas house in the USA. As you may know, they originally started out as Supertramp's PA system in the 1970's. They were early users of the Philishave midrange horn and, many years later, the F2 PA system. |
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APC321
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Joined: 24 August 2013 Location: West Midlands Status: Offline Points: 797 |
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Posted: 21 November 2024 at 6:15pm |
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Here is a photo of Delicate's rig that they used for Supertramp.
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Fairchild
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Posted: 22 November 2024 at 1:23am |
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Great info and insight into a cool piece of gear, thank you!
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Conanski
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Joined: 26 January 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Status: Offline Points: 2757 |
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Posted: 22 November 2024 at 2:28am |
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Great picture there, I have never seen that many Martin boxes in 1 place. I doubt they knew how close they were to modern system coverage, just had to rotate that hugh line of 212's and HF horns 90 degrees to get pretty close to a modern J-hang and stack all or most of the 215's across the front of the stage in a sub array of some type.
Edited by Conanski - 22 November 2024 at 2:30am |
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adamb00m
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Posted: 19 December 2024 at 11:35pm |
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That stack of 215s! Kick much? Wow.
Interesting application of the philishaves. Must have been quite the experience in its day.
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APC321 wrote: