I snapped these pictures at WICC in Bridgeport, CT. It is an older PR&E BMXII console, 26 channels, I believe.
Pacific Recorders and Engineering BMXII 26
These were manufactured starting in 1985, I installed one in 1990. It is a testament to their durability that this one has lasted 23 years. They were expensive when purchased, and all of them were purchased directly from PR&E, Carlsbad, California. The beauty of these things is their modularity. All of the major components are replacable, including the module face inlays.
Penny Giles conductive plastic fader, PRE BMXII console
The faders, Penny and Giles 4000 series, are fully rebuildable. The part that wears out the most is the nylon bushings that slide along the metal rails. The contact fingers sometimes also need to be replaced. These are 10 Kohm conductive plastic linear faders. P&G does not make these anymore, they have been replaced by the 8000 series, which has a edge connector instead of a wiring harness. Since the top of the fader is open, it also tends to accumulate dust, dirt and other debris. The fader board itself should be cleaned off with warm water, light soap may be used if needed. Do not use alcohol on these because it eats into the conductive plastic and ruins the fader.
PR&E BMXII line input module
One of the great things about this console is the fact that all the modules are hot pluggable. If one needs to be serviced, it can be pulled out of the main frame while the console is on the air and a new module plugged into it’s place. Only the line output module replacement necessitated taking the station off the air, and then only for a few seconds. It was a great concept which is now standard in almost every broadcast console.
There were several basic module configurations. On the input side, line level, mic level and telco were standard console inputs. There was also a passive remote line select button set. Out put modules consisted of line level output, control room monitor, and studio monitor modules.
PR&E consoles were top of the line gear, but expensive. Most radio stations could not afford them and went with less expensive models like Wheatstone, BE, LPB, Autogram, Radio Systems, etc. The fact that some of these BMXII consoles are approaching 30 years of age and still in service is a testament to their construction.
In the early 1990′s, PR&E began branching out into the lower priced market with their product line. They produced the Radiomixer and Productionmixer consoles, however, mid market sized radio stations were slow in adopting them because PR&E had the reputation of being expensive. After all, if you can only afford a Chevrolet, why bother looking at the Mercedes?
WQXR control room
This is a grainy promotions photo from the early 1990′s showing what I think is the WQXR master control room, nick named “The Bridge.” I took a tour there around 1993 or so and it was a fantastic facility, of course the New York Times spared no expense. I really felt like Willie Wonka in the Chocolate factory.
Later in that decade, they changed the name to Pacific Research and Engineering, and the went public. I think going public was the death knell, soon thereafter they sold the entire product line to Harris Broadcast. The final non-Harris console was the Airwave, which is a good medium duty modular console, incorporating some of the traditional PR&E designs. The later consoles stopped routing audio directly through the faders, using voltage controlled amplifiers instead. This solved some of the channel drop out problems which sometimes occurred in earlier consoles. The Airwave consoles are much less durable than the BMX series, however, with the advent of voice tracking, perhaps 24/7 durability is not that necessary anymore.
Harris has dropped support of much of the early PR&E line, but there are those that soldier on, buying up parts and rebuilding these things. Mooretronix has a good selection of BMX and ABX parts.
The WICC/WEBE installation is about to be refurbed, which means these consoles will be headed out the door. There are three of them in fair condition.
The WICC PR&E board in the picture started it’s life
at WGN in Chicago in the early eights. Back in 1987 when WICC was under the Tribune broadcasting name they sent
the PR&E board to WICC minus a fair amount of line cards and mic cards and minus the power supply. At that time
parts were ordered and it was installed at the old studio
location of 177 State street in Bridgeport. and was later
moved to 2 lafayette street when we combined with WEBE.
You might say that board has seen many hours of operation.
I hope the PR&E boards do not end up in the dumpster after
the rebuild.
Ed, I don’t know what the plans are for these consoles. I will ask and see, they may need to continue to depreciate or some such.
Although initially expensive, the quality of the material and the technical and mechanical inspection and testing proved that the customer service department of PR&E was an ill used unit. I was very proud to be an employee and delighted in the efforts of the company to see that every product was perfect. Lots of metal, wood and electronics made it’s way to recycling so what went out the door was perfection. A refurbished unit should be the pride of any studio.
Mike –
dunno how I found this link but it was your name and the date that was the eye catcher. I think I may still have a fader or 2 from time I was with PR&E.
I’ve nothing to add to this particular PR&E post other than to say hello to Mike !
Hello Mike, very long time !
Suzanne and I are still here in SoCal
Is the fader a 4220CU?
I think the current replacement part would be the 3000 series (8000 is a more cost effective range).
Hi
I have a BMX console that has no power supply. Does anyone have info the voltages and connections. Also any info on the audio in/out connections?
Thanks
On a BMX III (the best really !!!) the power supply provides 4 separate voltage outputs:
* +/- 22 volts for audio circuitry
* + 12 volts for logic control circuitry, lamps and relays
* + 48 volts for mic phantom powering
I don’t know about the previous BMX version… I’d assume it’s the same.
I don’t recall the voltages on the BMX II power supply. I will look it up next time I find a manual.
UPDATE: BMX II power supply voltages: +/- 16, +5 and +48 VDC
I just started helping an owner that has 2 of the BMX consoles. Left channel of the mic audio is low. I’m thinking a poor contact where the board and module meet. Playing with the A/B switch, the On/Off switch, fader or molex connectors don’t help. It’s my first experience with PR&E boards. The molex connectors seem to be a royal Pain in the %^&$. From years of not being touched, they don’t want to be removed. I haven’t figured out the relationship between the input connectors on the rear bottom and the audio input modules. I have discovered that they are NOT sequential. I would REALLY appreciate talking to someone with experience on these boards.
Hi,
I own two BMX-14 consoles, One PSU and a Micromax Card-Player-Recorder which I want to sell. One BMX-14 is in working condition, the other one is complete, but more or less for spareparts. If anyone is interested in pictures etc, just give me a message. I also have a complete manual.
Ah, I forgott… emails to r.hilscher@gmx.net
….And that was a GREAT board to operate! Smooth and very forgiving!
I had a BMX-14 donated to a high school radio station I oversee but I couldn’t bring myself to cutting the countertop of the studio furniture to install it.I had donated a $5000 Arrakis studio furniture systen in which I replaced the counter during the time I owned it – at $1100 to replace the counter I had serious reservations about cutting a hole to mount a 1978 vintage console. I ended up installing a Gates Stereo Stateman where I was able to use the existing holes in the top. At least if I should be able to acquire a more modern board for them I won’t have to replace the countertop (again) before installing it.
Mr. DeFelice,
What came of the BMX-14 you mentioned? Any interest in selling the console for cash to use for the high school station?
Please reply to jscottroberts @ att dot net
Thanks.
Dear Mr Defelice, Or Mr. Thurst,
My name is Robert Danner. I’m a disabled person with a mild case of cerebral palsy.
The reason why I am writing to you is because I’m starting an internet radio station and I’m looking for an old PR&E broadcast console either the BMX II or the BMX III. I sure would like to find one to use for my internet radio station. Please either call me at
(720) 535-8686 or e-mail me at robertcdanner@centurylink.net
Robert, I don’t have anything like this myself. You may want to check with some local radio stations and see if they have any old unused equipment they would like to donate.
I have a Radiomixer 20 in great condition. Has a lot of extras including a built-in Telephone hybrid and a SAS controller card.
I can’t seem to upload a picture here but if there are any interested parties…let me know via email.
I should have a for sale/swap section. If anyone is interested, contact me and I’ll forward your information to Barry
For Paul Thurst …Good afternoon Paul, I am a 7th grade Life Science teacher trying to accelerate my students before they tackle electricity in the 8th Grade. I saw an old post you made about how to make a simple radio. You stated you used to do it in 6th grade and that instead of using coal you used a 1N914 Diode. I know a good bit about electricronics as far as installing the end product, but very little about how to build electronics. I have things like meters and wire but need some type of directions to make a radio in class. The video you posted about, the guy uses magnetic wire, thumbtacks, paper clips, a board and an earpiece. Please reply if you wouldnt mind helping me understand this. Thank you. harriss.bcis@yahoo.com