Plessey 700

Australian professional console open-reel machine. Plessey Electronics took over Rola (Australia) in the mid-1960s and the 700-series console recorders were badged Plessey; introduced in the late 1960s, they appear to be the first Australian-made professional open-reel machines to use discrete-transistor circuitry. Deck: inherits Byer/Rola features - variable-speed spooling, monitoring while spooling via adjustable tape lifters, drop-in editing and an accurate tape timer - plus fast-stabilising tension arms, three tension settings for different reel sizes, and capstan drive engaged only while tape is threaded.