Microphone Pre-Amplifiers - TransAudio Group

Analog Mic Pre's:

Applicable Brands:

A DESIGNS
DAKING
GML
TONELUX
TRUE SYSTEMS

GML 8302 Two Channel Microphone Preamplifier -

This all-discrete-transistor, transformerless unit is highly regarded for its extraordinary accuracy and transparency, high headroom, and low noise. Affordably priced, the model 8302 is hand built and calibrated in limited production quantities using selected components. Includes switchable phantom powering, fits into a 1U, 19" space, and requires the external GML 8355 Power Supply.

GML 8304 Four Channel Microphone Preamplifier

This all-discrete-transistor, transformerless unit is highly regarded for its extraordinary accuracy and transparency, high headroom, and low noise. Affordably priced, the four channel model 8304 is hand built and calibrated in limited production quantities using selected components. Includes switchable phantom powering, fits into a 1U, 19" space, and requires the external GML 8355 Power Supply.
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Daking Mic Pre IV

All discrete transistor circuitry transformer balanced inputs and outputs.
Class "A" amplifiers.
All relay switching with gold bi-furcated contacts.
Switchable Phantom power
20db pad on mic input.
Steel construction for strength and noise immunity.
Three Inputs, Mic-Line-Instrument

Transformer balanced inputs and output
All discrete transistor circuitry
Class "A" amplifiers
Continuously variable Gain Control
20 Segment vu Meter
All relay switching w/gold bi-furcated contacts
Switched +48v Phantom power
20dB pad on mic input
Stainless steel construction for noise immunity
Aluminum knobs
Power supply included
Output level control before last stage of gain
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NEW! Pacifica

Throughout the1970s, the American professional music recording industry was in its heyday. Popular artists like The Who, The Beatles, The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, The Jackson 5, The Rolling Stones, and Steely Dan were all at the top of the charts and on every record player and eight track tape deck. Underground bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin were not on the radio but had ardent followers. The diversity and quantity of new music was astounding.

The seventies was also a time of great change in pro audio. The introduction of “solid state” electronics led to an explosion in development and a very different sound than tube gear of yesteryear. The Recording Console in a high end 1970s studio was likely a Neve®, an API®, or a Quad Eight. These were the companies that were setting the standards for audio qualitywith a unique sound firmly imprinted on the popular recordings of the era. While much has been made in our era with Neve and API reissues, interpretations and clones, the Quad Eight curiously faded from view. The irony is that many engineers firmly believe the Quad Eight Ventura, Pacifica and Coronado consoles to sonically be the very best of their day!

Peter of A Designs Audio in West Hills California and pro audio designer Jon Erickson teamed up to recover and restore this lost “sound” to the recording community. Significant effort over the past 2 years has gone into research and speaking with Quad Eight owners while chasing down the origins of what was “The Quad Eight Sound”. Closely examining the design and composition of these were both a nightmare and a joy. The original QE staff was hard to locate, design/parts and documentation was impossible to come by and key parts were obsolete and not readily replaceable. After thousands of hours, endless listening sessions and time at the bench with test circuits, a target emerged. QE mic pres, such as those used in the Quad Eight Ventura, Coronado and Pacifica consoles emerged as one of the best examples of the unique Quad Eight tonal character. Thanks to critical efforts by Tom Reichenbach of Cinemag (whose father designed the original Quad Eight transformers), Jon and Peter developed a prototype dubbed the “Pacifica” as a clear indicator of its Quad Eight inspiration.

The prototype was sent to a handful of devoted Quad Eight Console owners and mic pre fans along with some of today’s talented recording engineers. The results were gratifying: nearly all agreed the new A Designs prototype was very close to the original Quad Eight sound but with a tad more top end (exactly the target sound).

A Designs Audio is very proud to introduce the “PACIFICA”, a single rack space, dual (mono/mono) channel microphone pre amplifier that comes amazingly close to the original in looks and sound. There are few but valuable improvements, such as a front panel active hi-z 1ž4 inch input that places the input transformer directly in the signal path for a huge direct sound. The PACIFICA possesses a uniquely “Made in California” feel with a significant heft from the huge transformers contained within. The original cream colored panel and red knob scheme has been retained. We think the A Designs PACIFICA will achieve an instant classic status, becoming an important part of your “must haves” for years to come.

MSRP $1900

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A Designs MP-1A MIC PRE

A Designs brings you a true tube in, tube out, mono version of the MP-2A stereo mic-pre.

Features include a world-class Jensen input transformer coupled with a custom wound output transformer, delivering the lowest noise and top quality sound that you would demand from a high-end, high-priced mic-pre.

Additional features in the new MPA line include two "tone" switches, giving you four unique tone signatures. It also includes a balanced XLR connector with a 1/4 inch input, and a true VU meter, along with phantom and phase switches.

Experience the rich, full spectrum of sound that the MP-1A delivers to live performances and recordings.

The MP-1A is the perfect match for today’s demanding artists on a budget.

Click here for a Review of the A Designs MP-1

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A Designs MP-2A MIC PRE

The MP-2A is a true tube-in, tube-out stereo microphone pre-amplifier.

Utilizing world class input transformers by Jensen and custom designed output transformers for the lowest noise level and highest quality sound, the MP-2A will bring the warmth and richness of analog to your recordings while maintaining a crystal clear spectrum of sound.
Additional features of the MP-2A include two "tone" switches on each channel-- giving you a pallette of four unique sonic flavors per channel-- as well as phase and phantom switches, balanced XLR or 1/4" inputs, and true VU meters.The MP-2A is a true Pro Audio Mic-pre available at a very affordable price.

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The MP1a is a discrete mic preamp with a direct input on the front panel.

The Mic In is transformer coupled in and out, and has a 20 dB pad switch (effects both MIC and DIR), a +48V phantom switch and a phase or polarity switch. The pad and polarity switches effect both inputs. It also features an output fader to control the record level of the mic pre output. The inner, or larger (silver) knob sets the mic pre gain and the outer smaller (black) knob controls the output level. We chose the fader control for the outer knob so the gain knob, once set, won't be bumped when adjusting the output level.

The 8 seg LED VU meter follows the balanced output of the preamp. The level of the VU meter is adjustable over the entire range from off to +28. The peak led is set at +14VU or +18 dBu and can grab a fast peak and display it. With the "a" version, an internal jumper selects the MIC PRE MAIN OUTPUT or the MIC PRE GAIN STAGE signal to feed the VU Meter. This allows the engineer to monitor the real mic pre gain or the output level of the MP1a. When monitoring the Mic Pre Gain, the meter shows the actual gain stage level, and is not effected by the output fader.

The Combo XLR/Direct input is for use with a hi-z instrument, etc. The TILT tone control works with both the MIC in and DIR in and has it's own TILT EQ IN switch, which is a hard wire bypass switch when out. When turned up, the tilt control has a 0 to 6 dB boost on the high end while cutting the low end the same. If it is turned down, tilt will boost the low end up to 6 dB and cut the high end up to 6 dB.
The Front panel XLR is multed to the rear panel XLR and that is also multed to the D-Sub "INPUT" on the rear of the V-Rack. The "INSERT RETURN" input of the V-Rack is a resistor isolated mic level input, that can be used when the MP1 is in a live recording situation and there is no splitter. It will bridge the mic line with 10X the impedance to minimize loading of the microphone.

Included with the MP1a Mic Pre is the ability to PFL the output to an external amplifier or to the mixer/master section for previewing the signal directly off the mic pre output.

Technical Specs

The P-SOLO is a single channel version of the acclaimed TRUE Systems’ family of microphone / instrument preamps. While sporting the same design and sound of the TRUE Systems Precision 8 and P2 Analog preamps, this compact, single channel, desk-top version features:

• Natural, musical, highly-detailed soundfield
• Complete compatibility and superior results with any mics – condenser, dynamic, and ribbon
• A totally balanced, dual servo, high dynamic range, transformerless design
• Internal linear AC power supply for excellent transient response
• High impedance instrument input
• High-pass filter and 48v phantom power
• Dual analog outputs
• Four-level metering
• Over-size volume control with selectable 10db input level attenuation
• Compact, portable, solid desk-top case

Unlike many other mic preamps where the lower-cost versions come at a big cost to the sound, the P-SOLO is, in every regard, a TRUE Systems microphone preamp, offering the “high-end mic pre” quality at an affordable, entry-level price.

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Introducing the P-SOLO Ribbon
A proud new member of the TRUE Systems product line of precision mic preamps. THe p-solo ribbon is specifically designed to get the absolute best results from both new-technology and vintage ribbon microphones (and for that matter, dynamic mics also).
The p-solo ribbon features the same design as all true systems preamps, but with no phantom power (potentially dangerous to most ribbon mics), no capacitors in the signal path, even higher input impedance and higher gain capability.
Whether you're recording Bach or rock, every time a ribbon mic is used, choose the same preamp preferred by many professional musicians, engineers and producers for critical studio, location recording and live sound situations.

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The P2analog is designed to provide detailed, transparent sonic performance necessary for the most critical direct tracking and live sound applications. It includes a unique combination of functions that make it useful as a complete input system for standalone or PC-based recording systems. And, the P2analog has special features that provide the serious musician or recordist with useful tools to get the best sound more quickly and easily.
In addition to our acclaimed microphone inputs, the P2analog features two instrument direct inputs (DIs) offering sonic performance previously thought to be available only with dedicated, high-end DIs. You'll get incredible articulation and control for electric bass, detail and smoothness for stringed instruments and punchy, clean sound with keyboards.
Even with today's emphasis on powerful digital audio platforms and software plug-ins to perform signal-processing tasks, the issue of microphone placement remains a critical variable in determining the quality of your final sonic product. The P2analog incorporates powerful features that assist you in achieving optimum microphone placement for nearly any stereo recording situation.

FEATURES:

• Ultimate sonic performance for critical recording and sound reinforcement
• Two active high-impedance DIs - comparable to high-end dedicated DIs
• M-S (Mid-Side) Decoder for creative spatial image control
• Stereo Phase Correlation Display speeds effective mic positioning
• Selectable high-pass filters
• Relay-switched signal routing
• Dual gain range
• Solid construction - with striking, machined front panel
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The Precision 8 is designed to provide the detailed, transparent sonic performance necessary for the highest quality direct tracking and live sound applications. It includes a unique combination of features which make it useful as a complete input system for MDM's, HDR's, and DAW's. Two sonically accurate discrete FET instrument inputs (DI's) are available for recording or live sound applications in which realistic, unaffected sound quality is desired. The 5-segment peak-hold level metering with selectable peak reference allows rapid optimization of program levels between the PRECISION 8 and devices to which it is interfaced.
PRECISION 8 is ideal for location recording due to its 8-channel single rack unit format, smooth continuous gain controls, useful level metering, and easy interconnect. The integral MS decoder provides creative spatial image control that is particularly useful in attaining an exciting stereo image with minimum effort and microphone repositioning.
With the emphasis shifting to digital audio platforms and modular configurations, software "plug-ins" are replacing many outboard signal processors. Other than the microphone itself, the microphone preamplifier is the most significant analog device remaining in the signal chain. PRECISION 8, with its sonically pure design, simple-to-use features, and unparalleled cost/performance value, is the ultimate solution for state-of-the-art digital recording studios and project studios.
The P8 also comes in an international version, the P8i, which includes a specially designed external power supply.

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