Fairchild Recording Equipment: Reviving a Legend 

Fairchild Recording Equipment is a company dedicated to the meticulous revival of one of the most revered names in professional audio. Founded by Toni Fishman, also the visionary behind TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik, Fairchild Recording Equipment is committed to preserving the authenticity and legacy of Rein Narma’s iconic Fairchild 660 and 670 vacuum tube compressors. 

With over 25 years of experience in the pro audio industry, Fishman’s journey began with a passion for music and recording. His expertise in restoring vintage microphones led him to reestablish the TELEFUNKEN trademark in the U.S. in 2001. Under his leadership, TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik became a globally recognized brand for high-quality, faithfully recreated classic microphones. In 2020, inspired by his lifelong admiration for the Fairchild 660 and 670 compressors, Fishman set out to bring them back to life with uncompromising precision and dedication to their original design. 

After a five-year period of extensive research, development, and rigorous precision testing, Fairchild Recording Equipment successfully reintroduced the Fairchild 670 compressor. This reissue stays true to the original’s legendary warmth, depth, and character, utilizing the same custom-wound transformers, carefully selected vacuum tubes, and turret-style point-to-point soldering.  

Every unit is handcrafted by a small team of skilled engineers in Estonia, before the team at TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik in South Windsor, Connecticut, provides vacuum tube installation, calibration, quality control and final testing, ensuring that each piece maintains the integrity and sonic excellence of its predecessor. 

The newly manufactured Fairchild 670 at Chris Lorde-Alge’s studio, Los Angeles, CA.

What sets Fairchild Recording Equipment apart from the many clones on the market is its unwavering attention to detail. From the chassis thickness to the mechanical fasteners, every aspect of the build is designed to match the original specifications. Additionally, subtle modern enhancements, such as the addition of XLR connectors and reinforced mounting points, have been incorporated to improve longevity without altering the essence of the original design. 

Fairchild Recording Equipment is more than a business; it is a passion project devoted to bringing back the artistry and craftsmanship of classic analog gear for future generations of musicians, producers, and engineers.