Cool gadgets with lights, meters, etc for recording studio?

[Blake Klondike]

I am looking for cool vintage, or vintage-looking audio gadgets for the vibe in a recording studio-- I remember seeing years ago these 70s light show boxes that would react to the frequency response of the tune you were playing and flash in colors. trying to imagine what else might be out there, but not much luck. anybody have experience with things that light up, have analog meters, do cool stuff or just look cool? what would I search for to find the far out accessories stereo shops would have sold in the 70s?

 

[Wes]

 

[BinkieHuckerback]

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...you've no heart

 

[Wes]

 

[Blumlein 88]

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I had the same idea, but you beat me to it. Krell gear all around.

I've always thought Leslie Neilsen should do a remake of Forbidden Planet only in the style of Police Squad or Airplane!

 

[mhardy6647]

How serious?
I mean, there was an era of 'graphic' equalizers with built in spectrum analyzer displays. They were pretty offensive, umm, I mean cool.
We can play "warmer"/"colder", if you wish!

source: https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Audio/Archive-Modern-Recording-IDX/IDX/70s/Modern-Recording-1979-07-OCR-Page-0082.pdf#search="scott 830z"

Newer?

source: https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/technics/sh-8066.shtml
I actually had one of those (dump find). Graphic display and touch controls -- oh, so cool. I think I gave it away. Probably worth more than my Altec stuff now.

Older?

source: http://www.endino.com/photo9.html

Maybe something in a nice consumer reverb unit?

I...umm... uhh... actually have one of those ^^^ Pioneers here. Our young granddaughter's been using it, a mic, and mixer to play rock star sometimes when she visits us.

This late-era Pioneer had kind of a Time Tunnel thing goin' with its reverb display.

 

[dfuller]

You can actually get dedicated versions of these for pro metering. Dorrough makes a few level meters, and they're actually usable as meters too.

 

[Wes]

it's easy to fab up a display; even an uber-steampunkie one - but the hard part is to get the display to change based on characteristics in the audio; volume will be easiest; an FFT will cost more...

 

[mhardy6647]

it's easy to fab up a display; even an uber-steampunkie one - but the hard part is to get the display to change based on characteristics in the audio; volume will be easiest; an FFT will cost more...

A 'color organ' wouldn't be hard to MacGyver up, as one just needs to add, in essence, a crossover to the mix.
As a wistful aside I'd love to have an old-school color organ. The going rates for 'em on, e.g., eBAY, though, preclude my wishing to "invest" in one.

source: https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1976_radioshack_catalog.html