Sphere Recording Consoles Fab 500 2017-2020 - White

Up for sale is a near serial-matched set of (4) rare, out-of-production Sphere Recording Consoles Fab 500 series mic preamp/filter modules for standard 500-series racks. TWO are available in this ad- reach out if you want three or four. See pricing at the bottom!

Designed as a modern reissue of Don McLaughlin’s legendary 1970s custom console topology (famed for driving Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia and major Nashville tracking rooms), these modules deliver a huge, open, punchy sound with massive analog headroom.

Having a matched set of four makes this an ultimate tracking front-end for complete drum setups (kick, snare, overheads L/R), room mics, acoustic bands, multi-channel acoustic guitars, or 4-channel analog bus processing.

Detailed Specifications:

- Format: Standard 500-Series VPR Alliance single-slot chassis (requires 500-series rack/lunchbox).

- Circuit Topology: All-discrete Class-A/AB analog architecture based directly on original vintage Sphere Alpha/Eclipse console channel strips.

- Gain Range: +15 dB to +56.6 dB of smooth, ultra-clean, high-headroom discrete gain.

- Frequency Response: Wide-bandwidth 12 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.5 dB) extension with tight, extended sub-bass performance.

- Headroom / Output: High-voltage discrete output stage capable of driving up to +28 dBu into balanced loads without harsh clip artifacts.

- Filter Circuit: Onboard high-pass filter (HPF) tailored specifically to eliminate sub-audio rumble without hollowing out fundamental low-end punch.

- Front Panel Controls:

- Multi-position stepped Gain attenuator

- Dedicated HPF (High-Pass Filter) switch

- Switchable +48V Phantom Power

- Polarity Reverse (Phase) switch

- Input Pad switch for loud sources / drum tracking

- Transformers: Custom transformer-coupled balanced inputs and outputs via backplane connector.

What Top Engineers, Trade Magazines & Historians Say:

Adam Kagan (Tape Op Magazine):

"Sphere Recording Consoles may not be the most recognized name in pro audio, but to those in the know, Sphere represents the holy grail of mixing consoles."

Tim Smith (Recording & Mixing Engineer, The Soundscape Recording Studio):

"I was specifically looking for lots of color, warmth and detail. When I found Sphere... it was a no brainer. I absolutely love the Sphere Fab 500s on acoustic guitar, piano, kicks & snares! Aside from the fantastic sound, they feel rugged and durable."

Evan Fortune (Mix Magazine):

"Featuring a big, open sound with tons of headroom, these preamplifiers can be a go-to choice for drums, bass, vocals, amplifier cabinets, and much more."

Geoff Stanfield (Tape Op Buyer's Guide):

"Big, open, firm, and tons of vibe... A nice tonal variation with that classic open '70s console character."

Wally Wilson (Producer & Console Historian):

"Sphere desks were built like tanks with superior sonic depth. They gave the '70s Philadelphia and Nashville tracking scenes their distinct warmth and clarity."

Sound On Sound:

"Capturing the coveted circuitry and topology of one of recording history's best-kept console secrets in a convenient 500-series chassis."

Vintage King Audio:

"Sphere modules give you that immediate, forward midrange clarity and deep end chest-thump that modern sterile preamps just can't recreate."

Pro Sound News:

"A modern rebirth bringing true high-headroom, discrete vintage console lineage back into modern hybrid production rooms."

Gearspace Pro Audio Reviews:

"If you want the girth of classic API or Electrodyne design but with a wider, sweeter top end and zero mud, Sphere is the absolute sleeper pick."

Sigma Sound Studios Heritage Archive:

"Sphere consoles captured the hits that defined the 'Sound of Philadelphia' (TSOP)—delivering unmatched punch across rhythm tracks and strings."

Sweetwater Sound:

"An offshoot of classic Electrodyne topology, Sphere consoles feature upgraded low-noise circuitry and filters that defined some of the best record-making rooms of the analog golden age."

The Rolling Stones Studio History Notes:

"Classic albums like 'Some Girls' were tracked on Sphere desks, known for their huge dynamic headroom and open, uncompressed top end."

Pro Audio Review:

"The Fab 500 delivers incredible transient punch without flattening low frequencies—perfect for high-transient sources like kick and snare."

Nashville Recording Association Retrospective:

"Sphere consoles were chosen by elite '70s Nashville rooms because acoustic instruments sit effortless and dimensional in the mix without heavy EQing."

Reverb Pro Audio Spotlights:

"An underrated giant of American console design—Sphere preamps offer the girth of a 312 with the top-end air of custom vintage discrete desks."

Pricing is for TWO. I have a second set of two more available.

- Location: Local pickup/drop off near Kitchener/Guelph, drop off in the Greater Toronto Area also available; and willing to ship insured at buyer’s expense anywhere in the world if required.

Check out my other 500-series ads!