Empirical Labs EL9 Mike-E Microphone Preamp

$1,201.19

GTIN: 854682006061 SKU: 854682006061 Category: Tags: , , ,

Description

In today’s modern age of digital recorders, DAWs and software plug-ins, Mike-E is the ultimate solution for getting a clean and strong, yet warm and musical signal into the box…and it couldn’t be easier to work – its front panel layout is so straight ahead that even inexperienced engineers will have no problem moving around on it right away.

When the engineering team at Empirical Labs sets out to build a microphone preamp, you can be sure it’ll deliver spectacular sound, be effortless to work, and will provide features unlike any other device in its class. To that end, we proudly present Mike-E, a high performance transformer-coupled mic preamp with a noise floor far below any microphone’s self noise, combined with a one-of-a-kind compressor/saturator circuit that delivers classic knee compression as well as versatile tonal ‘coloring’ that can replicate many of the best characteristics of vintage analog recording equipment.

Mic Preamp
The Mike-E features a super low noise transformer input amplifier section with the gain under precise digital control. The signal to noise far exceeds any microphone in existence. Having used many mic preamps over the years, we’ve implemented a unique stepped gain control that should be impervious to the normal flakiness that age causes to pots and detented switches. A “Bad!” LED indicates when the input signal is overloading the circuit.

CompSat
The CompSat’s unique circuitry sets the Mike-E apart from all other mic preamps.

  • SATURATOR –  a multi stage soft-clipping circuit. At lower levels, a triode-type saturation affects the signal. As the level increases, a second unique clip circuit starts to more severely flatten out the peaks.
  • COMPRESSOR – based on ELI’s world famous Distressor, but with other characteristics (including a much longer attack time).  Preset ratios include: 2:1, 4:1, 8:1…and, of course, Nuke.
  • EMPHASIS – a two-stage circuit that boosts and soft clips high frequencies before the CompSat™ circuit, and then cuts the frequencies after it. Emphasis has the added perk of improving signal to noise, and is the reason analog tape decks used emphasis to begin with.

Frequency Response: 3 Hz to 200 kHz on (No CompSat). CompSat is 3Hz – 150Khz. Optional Transformer output is 6Hz–80kHz.
Signal to Noise: 130 dB signal to Noise.at 40dB gain. Maximum output is +28dBu.
Distortion: Ranges between .0006% and 15% depending on mode and settings.
I/O: Transformer coupled Input, Active and Transformer Outputs available. High quality audio caps used internally.
Impedance: Input Impedance is above 600 Ohms at all frequencies, transformer coupled. Output impedance is less than 38 ohms. Instrument In Impedance is 332K Ohms.
Attack/Decay Range: .9 – 70mS attack. .15 – 1 Sec.
Power Consumption: 15 Watts Max.
Metal Chassis: single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide.

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Description
ContentIn today’s modern age of digital recorders, DAWs and software plug-ins, Mike-E is the ultimate solution for getting a clean and strong, yet warm and musical signal into the box…and it couldn’t be easier to work – its front panel layout is so straight ahead that even inexperienced engineers will have no problem moving around on it right away. When the engineering team at Empirical Labs sets out to build a microphone preamp, you can be sure it’ll deliver spectacular sound, be effortless to work, and will provide features unlike any other device in its class. To that end, we proudly present Mike-E, a high performance transformer-coupled mic preamp with a noise floor far below any microphone’s self noise, combined with a one-of-a-kind compressor/saturator circuit that delivers classic knee compression as well as versatile tonal ‘coloring’ that can replicate many of the best characteristics of vintage analog recording equipment. Mic Preamp The Mike-E features a super low noise transformer input amplifier section with the gain under precise digital control. The signal to noise far exceeds any microphone in existence. Having used many mic preamps over the years, we’ve implemented a unique stepped gain control that should be impervious to the normal flakiness that age causes to pots and detented switches. A “Bad!” LED indicates when the input signal is overloading the circuit. CompSat The CompSat’s unique circuitry sets the Mike-E apart from all other mic preamps.
  • SATURATOR –  a multi stage soft-clipping circuit. At lower levels, a triode-type saturation affects the signal. As the level increases, a second unique clip circuit starts to more severely flatten out the peaks.
  • COMPRESSOR – based on ELI’s world famous Distressor, but with other characteristics (including a much longer attack time).  Preset ratios include: 2:1, 4:1, 8:1…and, of course, Nuke.
  • EMPHASIS – a two-stage circuit that boosts and soft clips high frequencies before the CompSat™ circuit, and then cuts the frequencies after it. Emphasis has the added perk of improving signal to noise, and is the reason analog tape decks used emphasis to begin with.
Frequency Response: 3 Hz to 200 kHz on (No CompSat). CompSat is 3Hz – 150Khz. Optional Transformer output is 6Hz–80kHz. Signal to Noise: 130 dB signal to Noise.at 40dB gain. Maximum output is +28dBu. Distortion: Ranges between .0006% and 15% depending on mode and settings. I/O: Transformer coupled Input, Active and Transformer Outputs available. High quality audio caps used internally. Impedance: Input Impedance is above 600 Ohms at all frequencies, transformer coupled. Output impedance is less than 38 ohms. Instrument In Impedance is 332K Ohms. Attack/Decay Range: .9 – 70mS attack. .15 – 1 Sec. Power Consumption: 15 Watts Max. Metal Chassis: single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide.
Rackmount PG-X Power Conditioner with PG-90 Filtering Technology, Panasonic and Wima capacitors, eight rear switched, filtered and surge protected outlets, one front-panel switched convenience outlet and USB port for device charging. Your gear deserves the best power, and we took great care in making sure the PG-X delivers just that — thanks to PG-90 Filtering Technology. In testing, this has provided an average of 90% of noise filtering, as opposed to the typical average of 76% found in other power conditioners at the same price point. Confidence Inspiring Power There’s nothing worse than scoring that “must-have” piece of gear, only to find that it’s noiser than should be expected, missing high frequency detail, or even worse — having it fried by power surges! Black Lion Audio has been trusted for years for modifying the best gear and making it even better, and that’s what it took to create the PG-X: taking industry-standard designs, and improving them to the point of peak performance. After creating the original PG-1, Black Lion Audio knew that plenty of professionals on a smaller budget felt left out, as some features might not be as important as an economy price-point. The PG-X was built with this in mind, while still providing best-of-class power conditioning! High-end Filtering Your gear deserves the best power, and we took great care in making sure the PG-X delivers just that — thanks to PG-90 Filtering Technology. In testing, this has provided an average of 90% of noise filtering, as opposed to the typical average of 76% found in other power conditioners at the same price point. Professional Power The PG-X features a bank of eight switched, filtered and surge protected outlets on the back panel. On the front panel, the PG-X sports one unswitched convenience outlet and a USB port for device charging. It takes more than a few rack-mounted outlets to inspire true confidence in your power conditioner, and that’s where the PG-X delivers: best-of-class power filtering!
  • Protects your gear from power-spike damage
  • Provides clean, well-regulated power for optimum performance
  • Features PG-90 Filtering Technology
  • Top-drawer components and design for superior power and noise filtering
  • Built with premium Panasonic and Wima capacitors
  • Rugged 1U rackmount chassis
  • 8 switched, filtered, and surge-protected outlets on rear panel
  • 1 filtered convenience outlet on front panel
  • USB port on front panel
Type: Rackmount Number of Outlets: 1 x Front, 8 x Rear Output Current: 15A USB: 1 x Type A Features: High frequency noise filter Rackmountable: Yes Power Source: Fixed AC cable Height: 1.7″ Width: 19″ Depth: 9.8″ Weight: 3 lbs.
Effective against boredom, supporting creative sound design A unique team play of spring reverberation, analogue multimode filtering, distortion and VCA, modulated by an ultra fast LFO and an envelope that can be triggered in flexible ways – Retroverb Lancet offers a comprehensive arsenal of many-sided effects for different applications. The spectrum by far surpasses classic reverberation, filter sweeps or overdrive because you are able to tweak and bend any parameter fast and intuitively to your liking. Retroverb Lancet will change the way you work with effects. It becomes part of your sound engine, fires it up and will end up as essential part of your sonic signature. Source of effectiveness We designed Retroverb Lancet in a way that it can perfectly handle signals of any kind: Guitars, basses, synthesizers, organs or microphones. On top of that, Retroverb Lancet allows you to create percussive sounds using its crash function. Retroverb Lancet is a real jack of all trades with character, suited for adventurous sound designers and tinkerers. Audio Input
  • max. input sensitivity: –32 dBu
  • impedance: 1 MΩ
Output
  • max. output level: 20 dBu
  • impedance: 600 Ω
Trigger- and CV-inputs
  • audio trigger
    • max. input sensitivity: –32 dBu
    • impedance: 1 MΩ
  • gate & CRASH
    • min. voltage: + 4 V
  • external cv
    • voltage: ± 10 V
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
  • direct: > 80 dB
  • effect (filter completely open, no reverb): > 75 dB
Spring Tank
  • number of springs: 3
  • reverbration decay: between 2.75 db and 4.00 s
Filter
  • modes: 24-db-lowpass, 24-db-highpass, 12-db-bandpass
  • modulations sources: envelope generator, envelope follower, external CV, LFO
LFO
  • frequency range: 0.05 Hz … 300 Hz
  • waveforms: ramp up, ramp down, square, sine, S&H, envelope generator
Envelope Generator
  • modes: AD, ASR
  • attack: 1 ms … 10 s
  • decay/release: 1 ms … 15 s
Miscellaneous
  • power supply: external DC-adapter with 12 V/1000 mA
  • dimensions: 26 cm x 14.5 cm x 8 cm (width x depth x height)
  • weight: 0.75 kg
Accessories
  • wooden side panels
  • FAST – Fast Attack (750us), Fast Release (130ms)
  • MF – Medium Attack (2.25ms), Fast Release (130ms)
  • MED – Medium Attack (2.25ms), Medium Release (400ms)
  • MS – Medium Attack (4ms), Slow Release (725ms)
  • SLOW – Slow Attack (10ms), Slow Release (1S)
  • AUTO – Medium Attack (5ms), Dual Decay Release (T1 500ms, T2 1s)The LINK switch allows the compressor to be linked to another 535 compressor module via a sidechain control voltage. In link mode, the compressor generating the greater sidechain voltage (resulting in higher amounts of compression) will control the compression of both audio signal paths to maintain proper stereo center image while compressing. Note: it is advisable to always audition the unlinked sound as well, to decide if the benefit of a constant stereo center image is worth the potential trade-off of reduced left / right independence in the stereo field.
  • SIDECHAIN HPF

    LEVEL AND GAIN REDUCTION METERING

Radial X-Amp Active Reamper
  • Active Reamp® with two outputs
  • 100% discrete class-A signal path
  • Transformer isolated to eliminate noise
  • Variable 'set & forget' level control
The Radial X-Amp is an active Reamper™ that allows the engineer to play a pre-recorded track back through guitar amplifiers and pedals. This opens the door to explore new musical sounds and spur on the creative process so that your recording stands out. Using the X-Amp is easy: start by recording a dry track using a high quality direct box like the Radial J48. Send the new track from your recorder via the X-Amp to your guitar amps, effect pedals or combinations thereof. Once the basic track has been recorded, replacing or adding tracks can be done well after the session player has gone home. This eliminates tiresome repetition and assures a fresh vibrant performance on the final recording. Furthermore, by driving two amps at the same time, new sounds and textures can be created while allowing you to make artistic decisions as the recording progresses. Following the critically acclaimed Radial JD7 Injector, the X-Amp employs a unique class-A circuit design that has been optimized for use with guitars. Features include balanced line level input with LED peak indicator and level control, class-A circuit topology for optimal reach and frequency response, a transformer isolated output to eliminate hum and buzz caused by ground loops, a 180º polarity reverse switch to bring both amps into phase, and a dual ground lift switch for noise-free operation. As with all Radial products, the X-Amp is built like a tank to provide years of trouble-free performance. An internal I-beam skeleton provides maximum protection against external stress which could cause solder points to fail. This is supplemented with an innovative bookend design that creates a protective zone around the switches, potentiometer and connectors. A full bottom no-slip pad performs double duty by keeping the X-Amp from sliding around when placed on a vibrating amplifier while also providing electrical and mechanical isolation. Reamping works equally well on bass, keyboards, drums and voice. Once you start Reamping, you will never record any other way. The Radial X-Amp… the active Reamp® for professional recording engineers.
Proven reverberation classic for the future With the VSR 3.2, we happily rely on the proven old mechanical way to create reverberation. Rightly, because the used reverberation spring by AccuBell (formerly Accutronics) creates that magic 60's reverb which is slightly metallic and dense at the same time. Just like it predecessors, VSR 3.2 has a straight-forward and honest approach: signal in - spring reverb - vintage sound out. VSR 3.2 is equipped with an equalizer that is exactly adapted to the springs' frequency response. In addition, there are controls to mix the dry and effect signal as well as controls for the input and output level. This way, VSR 3.2 simply exactly does what it was designed to do. Designed for every situation Although using a large spring (type 9), VSR 3.2 fits in a 19" housing with one rack unit – minimal space requirements. Thanks to its extremely solid chassis, VSR 3.2 is a reliable vintage-effect that cannot only be used in a controlled studio environment. On the contrary, it also serves fine when being used in straining live situations. VSR 3.2 grants your sound an elegant touch of "good old times". Its simplicity makes it an unbelievable versatile companion. Inputs
  • 1/4"-jack input front
    • unbalanced
    • max. input sensitivity: –40 dBu
    • impedance: 1 MΩ
  • 1/4"-jack input rear (1)
    • unbalanced
    • max. input sensitivity: 0 dBu
    • impedance: 100 kΩ
  • 1/4"-jack input rear (2)
    • unbalanced
    • max. input sensitivity: –20 dBu
    • impedance: 10 kΩ
Outputs
  • 1/4"-jack output (1)
    • unbalanced
    • max. output level: 0 dBu
  • 1/4"-jack output (2)
    • unbalanced
    • max. output level: - 20 dBu
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
  • direct: > 80 dBu
  • effect: > 70 dBu
THD + Noise
  • direct: < 0,1 %
Miscellaneous
  • power supply: external DC-adapter with 12 V/1000 mA
  • dimensions: 19“, 1 HE, ca. 190 mm deep
  • weight: 2.5 kg
Weight
DimensionsN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
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