Cologne, Germany - Apr 29, 2009 - In 1979 Supertramp's "Logical Song" and Billy Joel's "My Life" topped the international charts, Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev signed the SALT II treaty, and RTW released a new peak-program meter: the 1206. The manufacturer admits that is wasn't much to look at, but it filled a genuine need. To celebrate the device's 30th anniversary, RTW is looking for the oldest 1206 unit still in working condition.

Designed as a low-cost, entry-level model, the 1206 featured the same distinctive orange and red gas-plasma display as more expensive models. The modest little meter also scored points with users for its technical features, including a signal-controlled power-on/off function and two independent inputs. Over the years more improvements have been made, including double the number of per-channel resolution segments, implementation of SLR and RCA inputs as well as a sliding scale that allows quick changes between horizontal and vertical use, and housing in a new case. Today, the 1206 analog peak meter is available with multiple scale variants and optional transformer-balanced inputs. In addition, RTW now offers the 1252DIG, which provides similar functionality for digital input.

About 25,000 units of the RTW peak-program meter, which is still in production, have been delivered and are in use at broadcast studios, recording studios and audio installations in 42 countries worldwide.

To enter the contest for the oldest meter, go to www.rtw.de/1206_contest and enter the serial number of the unit. Users of units lacking a serial number may contact RTW directly via e-mail at 1206@rtw.de.

The winner will receive an RTW 10500X-PLUS monitor. In addition to the PPM bar graph, the TFT-based monitor offers many ways to view stereo signals, including vectorscope, correlator, AES/EBU status display, and now an integrated ITU BS.1771-compliant loudness meter.