Talkin' Bout The Resolution!
Whatever the purpose of your audio system, it is highly likely to include microphones and an interface for converting their output to digits or normal analogue operating levels. There are probably more types of microphone pre-amps available than any other type of pro-audio equipment but the ideal pre-amp will depend upon your application, your budget and the quality and resolution of the signal you wish to capture.
The primary consideration is whether you require a pre-amp with a particular sound or sonic style, or one which faithfully captures the microphone's output and provides the necessary gain or conversion in the simplest possible way.
At Aspen Media we offer a selection of tools that fall into the latter category, as we believe the key to good microphone pre-amplification is capturing the output with the maximum resolution and the minimum of noise or distortion. Colouring the audio so close to the source, we feel, significantly limits your choices for manipulating the audio in later production or mixing.
We would like to highlight here four products from Sonifex, Grace Design and Stagetec that meet this requirement for optimum performance and maximum resolution, each clearly aimed at differing applications and budgets. |
Sonifex
RB-MA2
Sonifex's Redbox range of value-for-money problem-solving interfaces and converters includes three surprisingly good microphone pre-amps. The RB-MA2 is a two channel device with XLR connectors, and set-and-leave level control and DIP switches for phantom power and LF filters.
These compact pre-amps are ideal for a multitude of pre-amp applications in broadcast, recording, post production or installed sound; especially as they can be easily installed in furniture or walls when they will not require frequent adjustment once the installation is complete.
These robust aluminium units are designed to survive, delivering many years of utterly reliable service.
The Redbox range also includes the single channel RB-MA1 and the RB-DMA2 which incorporates high quality (up to 96KHz/24bit) AtoD converters.
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Grace Design
model 802R
A recent addition to the portfolio, the model 802R features eight channels of Grace Design's superb microphone pre-amplifier, with remote control from the 802RCU desk-top remote or compatible controllers such as ProTools.
Going against the norm, the 802R improves upon the sonic quality of a conventional "manual" pre-amp, delivering further enhancements to headroom, resolution and signal clarity. All the factors essential to capturing the complete audio picture delivered by the microphone.
The quality of the pre-amplification plus the flexibility and efficiencies provided by remote control from ProTools or the 802RCU, make the 802R an unbeatable tool for demanding and discerning engineers and artists in music recording, film scoring or mixing applications.
Optional reference AtoD conversion will be available for the 802R in the coming months.
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model 101
The model 101 is unique amongst microphone pre-amps for the purist musician or engineer, delivering remarkable resolution and sonic purity in an affordable package. 
Based upon Grace Design's highly regarded 201 and 802 pre-amp designs, the model 101 also features a capacitor-free signal path and transimpedance amplifier and so delivers incredible bandwidth, headroom and resolution for this sector of the market.
The 101 is of special interest to those using ribbon microphones, as it incorporates a further switched 10dB of gain, to accept the low output level from ribbon mics.
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Stagetec
TrueMatch RMC
Of all microphone pre-amps and converters, the Stagetec TrueMatch has probably the shortest and simplest analogue signal path, connecting the microphone directly to the AtoD converter.
Not, you would think, a likely way of achieving the ultimate in microphone pre-amplification, but when the AtoD converter is a Stagetec 28bit TrueMatch design with 153dB of dynamic range, it starts to make a lot more sense.
The consequences of this radical approach to pre-amp design is that there is no analogue processing at all and absolutely no risk of overloading the analogue front-end or the AtoD converters. The 28bit AtoD is capable of capturing the complete and raw output of the microphone, however loud or quiet the audio level, converting this faithfully and flawlessly directly to 28bit digital audio. Any adjustments for gain, filters etc. can therefore be carried out in the digital domain, immediately within the TrueMatch interface or at any later stage of the mixing or recording process.
The result is possibly the ultimate microphone pre-amp, the output of the microphone captured in its entirety.
The TrueMatch converters are also available as part of the Stagetec Nexus range of digital audio routing, conversion and distribution systems that also integrate as the I/O for the remarkable Aurus digital live production console. (See the last issue of Touch! for more details.)
Stagetec TrueMatch RMC is available as stand-alone 8, 16 and 24 channel RMC units with front panel or external control via PC and outputs to analogue, AES3, T-Dif, ADAT or MADI digital audio formats or via 24bit DtoA converters to analogue.
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If you would like further information on any of these products you may use the Touch!….. links that follow each item to reach the relevant pages of our website, or you may contact us by email or telephone to request the manufacturer’s brochure, discuss your particular requirement in more detail or arrange a demonstration.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our Mic Pre-amp special of Touch! We’ve enjoyed producing it for you. If you have any suggestions for improving the content, style or delivery; or have ideas on areas we could cover in future issues, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Aspen Media Ltd, 11 Wingbury Courtyard, Wingrave, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 4LW
T: 01296 681313 E: sales@aspen-media.com W: www.aspen-media.com |
