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.
  • 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

FEATURES

  • The industry-standard tabletop looper, updated and enhanced
  • Class-leading sound quality with 32-bit AD/DA and 32-bit floating-point processing
  • Five simultaneous stereo phrase tracks with dedicated controls and independent volume faders
  • Input FX and Track FX sections, each with four simultaneous effects and four quick-access banks
  • Customizable FX and Track buttons for each phrase track
  • Massive onboard effects selection with 49 Input FX types and 53 Track FX types, including new Harmony, Electric FX and many others
  • Ultra-durable faders with longer throw for more precise adjustment
  • Mark Back function provides enhanced undo/redo flexibility while performing
  • Two XLR mic inputs with phantom power, two stereo line input pairs, and three stereo line output pairs
  • 99 memories, each containing five phrase tracks, custom effects and playback settings, control assignments and more
  • Synchronize your loops with over 200 onboard rhythm patterns and 16 drum kits
  • Deep MIDI control support
  • Two external control jacks, each with support for up to two footswitches or an expression pedal
  • USB for data backup, phrase import/export with BOSS Tone Studio and pattern import with the RC Rhythm Converter

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Boss RC-505MK2 Tabletop Loop Station
  • Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz
  • AD/DA Conversion: 32 bits
  • Processing: 32-bit floating point

RECORDING/PLAYBACK

  • Number of Tracks: 5
  • Data Format: WAV (44.1 kHz, 32-bit float, stereo)
  • Maximum Recording Time: Approx. 1.5 hours (1 track), Approx.13 hours (total of All memories)
  • Rhythm Type: 200 types or greater
  • Rhythm Kit: 16 types

EFFECTS

  • INPUT FX: 49 types
  • TRACK FX: 53 types
  • MASTER FX: 2 types
  • Memory: 99
  • Display: Graphic LCD (128 x 64 dots, backlit LCD)

CONNECTORS

  • MIC IN 1, 2 jack: XLR type (balanced, phantom power: DC 48 V, 10 mA Max
  • INST IN 1, 2 jacks, MAIN OUT jacks, SUB OUT 1, 2 jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
  • PHONES jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type
  • CTL1,2/EXP1 jack, CTL3,4/EXP2 jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
  • USB port: USB B type
  • MIDI (IN, OUT) connectors
  • DC IN jack
  • Power Supply: AC adaptor

CURRENT DRAW

  • 1.0 A (with phantom power)
  • 0.9 A (without phantom power)
  • Dimensions: 16-9/16" W x 9-1/4" D x 2-11/16" H
  • Weight: 4 lb.
Imagine having the power and flexibility of the OP-Z sequencer available to any other music equipment. Now you can, with the new oplab module - the magic link between OP-Z and the rest of the world. The oplab module is the first hardware expansion module for OP-Z. once mounted in the back of your OP-Z, you can use it to connect to any equipment using standard cv and gate, such as the pocket operator modular or any other modular system. It features three cv outs and one gate out, all programmable and playable from OP-Z. have your wall of modules sequenced from the palm of your hands. Use the po sync out to unleash the power of your regular pocket operators and have them play in sync with the rest of your setup. Even connect standard midi devices, using midi over 3.5 mm jack or the included midi over din adapter cable. Oplab features both midi in and out ports as well as trig in and out for other synthesizers and sequencers.Arguably the coolest and most unique device in the Empirical Labs arsenal, the FATSO (Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer) is a digitally controlled analog device that gives musicians and engineers easy access to many of the desirable characteristics exhibited by older tube and Class A electronics and magnetic tape mediums. This two channel audio processor musically integrates frequencies and transients, increasing the apparent volume while keeping tight control over peak levels. With the FATSO, recording studios and audio production facilities can enhance and soften the sound of Hardware Digital Recorders (HDRs) and Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). Mix engineers will have the option not to have to use bulky, expensive analog tape recorders to get the warmth and sweet high end they’ve come to rely on for so many decades. Owners of DAWs and HDRs can finally put a stop to complaints about the coldness and brittle edge of their mixes and instruments. Even audiophiles can benefit from the FATSO, bringing back the warmth and ambience of LP’s and tapes to their CD players and other digital reproduction mediums. The FATSO Goes to Eleven ELEVEN is a new compressor for the FATSO, replacing the old GP Ratio, and emulates the famous UREI 1176LN in 20:1, with the slowest attack, and fastest release. This 1176 setting has been used on countless hit records through the decades. With the slower “1176” attack, the transients keep the dynamics present, while the high ratio, can radically limit the dynamic range of any source, making it present and sitting in a nice little place in your mix. One can slam it, or just touch it with a few dB of compression. You will find it great on Vocals, Bass, acoustic guitars, drum room mikes, pianos etc. Click here to find out how to upgrade your EL7 to an EL7X. Four Types of Processing
  • Harmonic Generation and Soft Clipper (Distortion Generation) – this class A circuit gently rounds the peaks like saturated tubes or tape.
  • High Frequency Saturation (Warmth) – a one-of-a-kind dynamic low pass filter which softens high frequencies when they “pile up” on a source.
  • Transformer & Tape Head Emulation – a simulation of the effect of input and output transformers of older devices, which adds  the low frequency harmonics that characterize them, as well as analog tape..
  • Classic Knee Compression – your typical automatic leveling device found on just about every instrument and vocal track as well as on  the overall buss, done Empirical Labs compression – smooth and sweet, but in your face!
Universal Audio's FATSO Emulation Endorsed and scrutinized for accuracy by designer Dave Derr of Empirical Labs, Universal Audio has painstakingly recreated the FATSO Jr. in this highly anticipated UAD Powered Plugin, capturing the sonic nuances of the original hardware. As part of the FATSO Powered Plugin, UA has also worked closely with Dave Derr to model the original concept of the FATSO, the FATSO Sr., with attack, release, and threshold compressor controls, among other features not available elsewhere. Frequency Response: 2 Hz to 60 kHz in clean audio mode (+0, -3 dB). Dynamic Range: 110 dB from maximum output (20 %THD soft clipping) to minimum output. Greater than 100 dB signal to noise. Distortion: Ranges between .06% and 20% depending on mode and settings. I/O: DC Coupled input and outputs. Compressor Time Constants: Attack range 1ms – 60ms. Release range .05sec – 3.5 seconds. Attack and Releases are fixed by the compression type selected. Power Consumption: 15 Watts Max. Metal Chassis: single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide.
The Suhr Reactive Load delivers a simple solution to capture all of the warmth, and dynamics of your sound, without the hassle of miking a speaker cabinet during a live or recorded performance. The Reactive Load takes the place of your speaker cabinet in your signal chain. It provides an 8Ω load for your tube amplifier (maximum 100 watts), and produces a balanced and unbalanced signal that interfaces with recording devices, effects, and power amplifiers. The Suhr Reactive Load is the perfect link between your amplifier and computer audio recording interface. You can use the Reactive Load with your existing library of speaker impulse responses (IR) for the most realistic direct recording experience possible. Traditional resistive load boxes will safely load your amplifier, but they also alter the tone, dynamics, and response of your amplifier. Real speakers do not have a fixed resistance across the entire frequency spectrum. Real speakers are reactive. The impedance curve of the Reactive Load has been painstakingly tuned to react like a speaker. Your amp will never know the difference. The Reactive Load is dedicated to being the absolute best load box possible with zero compromises, and therefore does not include speaker emulation. You can use the Reactive Load with your speaker-sim or impulse response of choice, and benefit from the natural response, dynamics, and touch sensitivity of your amp. The Suhr Reactive Load features a balanced or unbalanced line level output. The INPUT is optimized for the 8 ohm output of your amplifier and the THRU jack can be connected to a physical speaker cabinet. If a physical cabinet is connected to the THRU jack, the Reactive Load’s internal load is bypassed and the amp will see the load of the physical cabinet. SPEAKER INPUT IMPEDANCE: 8 Ohm DI / LINE OUT LEVEL: +4 dBu at 7 watts input, maximum level setting BALANCED LINE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: Less than 6KΩ UNBALANCED LINE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: Less than 6KΩ MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED INPUT POWER: 100 Watts RMS ROHS COMPLIANT: Yes DIMENSIONS: 8.8" (W) x 8.9" (D) x 3.6" (H) WEIGHT: 6.6lb
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