Legendary Vintage Mixing Console Goes Home

US Universal Audio acquires the 1966 Caesars Palace tube mixing console 13/03/24

Universal Audio Inc. (UA) has announced the acquisition of a legendary Studio Electronics Corp. tube mixing console built for Caesars Palace in 1966 by original UA founder Bill Putnam Sr.

Purchased from music gear marketplace Reverb, the desk, colloquially known as "Caesars Console", holds a special place in Universal Audio history. Putnam Sr.'s bespoke and highly customized design is a rare example of late 1960s audio excellence that mixed live performances by Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Diana Ross, George Burns, Tina Turner, and hundreds more.

"This isn't just a piece of equipment; it connects me with my dad," said Bill Putnam Jr., CEO of Universal Audio. "I deeply admire the craftsmanship of his work and the historical significance of this console's journey. Bringing it home is my way of preserving his legacy and inspiring new innovation here at UA."

UA says that this console symbolizes the essence of UA family connection, unwavering quality, and a decades-long legacy of innovation. It embodies UA's commitment to creating tools that seamlessly support live and studio audio production, further underscoring the company's dedication to honoring its heritage while pioneering the future of sound.

A true one-of-a-kind, the Caesars Console includes 38 UA 1008 tube preamp modules; 21 UA 508 EQ modules on each channel and the echo sends; three UA 550 filters; three UA 500 EQs; and three Langevin 252 Graphic EQs; plus color-coded Langevin faders - blue, yellow, and green - in three banks of six.

"You truly never know what you'll find on Reverb. I'm inspired daily by the history and stories that come with the music gear that musicians sell on our marketplace and Caesars Console is a perfect example of that," said Jim Tuerk, Director of Business Development at Reverb. "We're thrilled to help bring this console home to UA and see it continue to inspire creativity during this next phase of its life."

Universal Audio plans to study Caesars Console, explore its history, integrate it into its facilities, and ensure that it continues to inspire and shape the next generation of audio professionals - maybe we'll be seeing a plug-in at some point.

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