Description
500 Series Modular Midas Microphone Preamplifier with Classic XL4 Filters
Our XL4 mixers are legendary for their uncompromising sonic characteristics, impressive versatility, and ease of use. The 502 mic preamp honours that legacy by bringing back the low and high pass filters that helped make the XL4 so popular. The low pass filter control adjusts the filter frequency from 1 kHz to 40 kHz, while the high pass filter control adjusts from 10 Hz to 400 Hz (both -3 dB points).
Selectable Balanced Outputs
The default output of the 502 module is the same electronically balanced output you will find on most MIDAS mixing consoles. This configuration provides an extremely clean signal even when operating at very high signal levels. But you also have the option of selecting a discrete transistor driven transformer balanced output stage by engaging the TX switch. 502’s transformer provides galvanic isolation and generates a more vintage sound, and becomes saturated at lower frequencies to add colour when driven hard. The output levels of the electronic and transformer outputs are matched to allow true A-B comparisons on the fly.
Precision LED I/O Metering
A mic preamp of this calibre requires equally accurate I/O metering – and the 502 delivers in a big way. The high precision 11-segment rotary LED meter reads the signal post amplifier/pre filter, providing input metering from -20 dBu to + 20 dBu in 4 dB steps. A similar meter is provided for output trim adjustment from -20 dBu to + 20 dBu in 4 dB steps.
High Accuracy I/O Rotary Controls
Gain control is provided by a large precision 12-position rotary switch with gain settings from 0 (unity gain) to +60 dB in 5 dB increments, while a fully variable potentiometer is provided for theoutput trim across a ±20 dB range. When used in combination, total maximum gain is an impressive + 80 dB, more than enough to accommodate even low level ribbon microphones. Additionally, the output trim control can be: used to control colouration; set high to allow output transformer saturation (TX switch selected); or turned down to prevent the output level from running too high – and the input gain can be increased to take advantage of the overload tolerant mic amplifier
Illuminated Switches
All of the 502 modules push-button switches feature LED illumination when activated for fast and easy status verification. Switches include the low pass filter IN switch, which inserts the low pass filter into the signal path; the high pass filter IN switch, which inserts the high pass filter (both post inputgain/pre output-trim); the phase reverse switch, which inverts signal phase 180°; the 48V switch, which supplies +48 Volts phantom power via the 500 Series Rackmount Chassis; and the output transformer (TX) selector. Add this to the 502’s brilliant metering and you have instant at-a-glance confirmation of all preamp parameters.