FOCUSRITE OCTOPRE MKII DYNAMIC Microphone preamplifier

With eight channels of Focusrite microphone pre-amplification, eight VCA-based Red 3-derived compressors and built-in 24-bit / 96 kHz digital inputs and outputs, OctoPre MkII Dynamic is Focusriteʼs feature-rich expansion upgrade for any digital audio workstation. Itʼs equally an ideal expansion for any analogue or digital console, or hard disk recorder.

Digital inputs and outputs let you make the most of often-neglected ADAT i/o; ideal for expanding the number of mic-pre inputs on your interface or for providing analogue monitoring from any digital ADAT feed.

With this entire package fitting into a single 1U chassis complementing Focusriteʼs Saffire PRO range, and all controls adjustable from the front fascia, OctoPre MkII Dynamic sets the standard for modern, compact, multi-channel recording expansions.

Having had great success with the PRE-73 preamp, we have received many requests for a version for the 500 eries rack format. We are therefore happy to present the PRE-573, expected to start shipping in late September.
 
The PRE-573 is a one width module that has the sound and the features that made the PRE-73 so successful and a few additional ones.
The circuit still uses the preamp and output section from the classic 1073-module, adapted to work in the api rack format. It has a total  gain range from -15 to +80 dB. The 10 - 70 dB range is handled by a turn switch  and there is a separate toggle switch to select an additional 5 or 10 dB gain. The input can be configured to accept line level signals by another switch, the gain is then lowered by about 25 dB and the input impedance increased to about 15 kohm.
 
The input impedance of the mic input mode can be switched between 1200 and 300 ohm. Phantom power and phase reverse is also selectable by front panel switches.
 
An added feature, using the same circuit as in the PRE-73 DLX, is the active DI-input with a high input impedance of about 1,5 Mohm. The output signal from the active DI circuit passes through the input transformer for some extra character.
The DI-input is very flexible since it can be changed to a purely passive one by a front panel switch. The DI input is then exactly the same as in the PRE-73 Mk2 where the signal is feed directly into the second gain stage, bypassing the transformer and with an input impedance of about 100 kohm.

These two DI-options makes it possible to get different tones from electric instruments and the passive DI input mode is more suited for injecting active units like sound modules. 
 
A new feature is the switchable AIR mode that  adds a small boost above 10 kHz that peaks at 2 dB at about 35 kHz.

A simple but effective signal and overload indicator is offered by a single LED that starts glowing red at about +4 dBu and then increases its intensity up to the maximum output level.
 
The PRE-573 has a dedicated insert connector at the back allowing it to interface with other GAP 500 modules. The insert can be activated by removing a jumper connector at the back of the module.
The second Golden Age Project module for the api 500 rack will be the EQ-573, expected to ship in November 2012. The EQ-573 consists of the inductor based high pass filter section  and the 3-band eq section from the classic 1073 module with some added frequencies. These two modules together will offer a fully fledged 1073-module in a compact format at a very low cost.
 
There is a second jumper at the back of the module that selects 600 ohm termination on the output. The standard mode is termination on, since it gives the flattest response when the PRE-573 is used with modern line inputs that typically has an input impedance of 10 kohm or more. The user can chose to remove the jumper and deactivate the termination resistor, this will increase the level above 10 kHz and create a peak in the response for an even more pronounced  "Air" effect.
The output is transformer balanced and fully floating and can drive a 600 ohm load up to level of about 28 dBu.

 The OctaMic II provides 8-Channel 192 kHz / 24 bit AD conversion with eight hi-class microphone and line pre-amplification channels, featuring a combination of sophisticated components and approved RME technology.

Lowest distortion, excellent signal to noise ratio and perfectly linear frequency response transmit and amplify the microphone signals truly unchanged.

The OctaMic II includes some significant enhancements compared to the OctaMic:

The balanced TRS inputs of the Neutrik Combo XLR jacks are phantom power-free and can be operated as real line inputs too. The improved design of the input circuits allows for a maximum input level of +21 dBu with a convenient gain range from 6 dB up to 60 dB.
Improved signal to noise ratio (SNR) ADC 107.5 dB
Improved THD, especially at higher gains
Optimised heat dissipation by a new and larger housing with improved convection
Internal wide range power supply with line filter, insensitive to voltage fluctuations
Super-stable, short circuit proof 48 V phantom power


Features

OctaMic II offers 8 balanced XLR mic / line inputs via Neutrik XLR/TRS combo jacks. Each channel contains switches for 48V phantom power, a low cut filter and phase reversal. Amplification can be set between 6 and 60 dB. LEDs for signal, clip, and activated phantom power give a complete overview on the unit's status. When the special Clip Hold mode is activated, any detected clip-state will cause the corresponding LED to flash once per second. With this, the user gets a long-term peak detection, and no longer needs to constantly watch the LEDs. At the same time momentary overloads are still displayed correctly.

Frontside switches include power on/off and output level, for a choice of -10 dBV, +4 dBu or Hi Gain (+19 dBu) as reference level. This unusual feature offers two advantages. First, the reference level can be easily switched to match any of RME's current interface devices, from HDSP 9632 through Multiface up to the renowned ADI-8 series converters. Second, the Signal to Noise ratio is optimized, and the Clip-LED will exactly match the ones of the ADI-8 (2 dB below 0 dBFS).

The balanced line level output signal is available at the back of the unit via 8 stereo TRS jacks. The specially developed, internal hi-performance switch mode power supply lets the OctaMic II operate in the range of 100V to 240V AC. It is short-circuit-proof, has an integrated line-filter, is fully regulated against voltage fluctuations, and suppresses mains interference.

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AD-Conversion

The 8-Channel AD-conversion of the OctaMic II operates at up to 192 kHz. The digitized signal is available simultaneously at the double ADAT output (S/MUX, up to 96 kHz), and at a DB-25 connector (4 AES/EBU outputs, up to 192 kHz). The digital part can be clocked internally (master) and externally via word clock, AES/EBU and SPDIF.

RME's outstanding SteadyClock(TM) ensures perfect AD-conversion, as jitter on the external sync-sources is nearly completely removed. All settings are done via DIP-switches on the back of the OctaMic II. Analog outputs and both digital outputs operate fully simultaneously. The choice of reference level affects the analog outputs only, the signal/clip indication and the AD-conversion will react only to the Gain-pots.


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Tech Specs

8 balanced XLR/TRS mic/line inputs

54 dB gain range

Input impedance: XLR 2 kOhm, TRS 5 kOhm

Analog input level: from -40 dBu up to +21 dBu

Maximum output level: +21 dBu

Output impedance: 75 Ohm

Output level switchable Hi Gain / +4 dBu / -10 dBV

Signal to noise ratio (SNR): 129 dB EIN @ 150 Ohm

THD:
Large frequency range (200 kHz) with special EMI input filtering

Frequency response -0.5 dB: 5 Hz - 200 kHz

Hi-pass filter: 80 Hz, 18 dB/oct.

Line Out: 1/4" TRS (6.3 mm stereo jack), servo-balanced

Phantom power: +48 Volt switchable per channel

Internal wide range switching power supply 100-240 Volt AC

Unbeatable price/performance ratio!

AD conversion

SNR: >110 dB(A)

Supported sample rates: 28 kHz - 200 kHz

THD:
Sync Sources: AES/EBU (also SPDIF coaxial), wordclock, internal

SteadyClock(TM) ensures best sound quality even with jittery external clocks


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Accessories

Digital breakout cable Pro, AES/EBU, D-sub25 to 4x XLR-3 female + 4x XLR-3 male, 1m/3m/6m (ALVA Audio)
Digital D-sub cable, AES/EBU, D-sub25 male to D-Sub25 male, 1m/3m/6m (ALVA Audio)
Optical ADAT Toslink cable 1m/2m/3m/5m/10m (ALVA Audio)
Word Clock cable, 1 x BNC male to 1 x BNC male, 1m/5m/10m (ALVA Audio)

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Add-On

BOB-32    Universal Breakout Box with 2 x 8 XLR to 2 D-sub connectors (supports TASCAM and YAMAHA format), flip-frame case

The CPR12 is an easy to use, flexible and multifunctional 10 channel pre-amplifier. Six of these input channels are selectable between Mic / Line level and equipped with a 3 band tone control. The first two can be switched to priority and phantom power. The other four channels are direct line inputs.

Every input channel has its own gain and fader volume control with PFL button which makes it possible to pre-listen each input or output channel with the built-in pre-listening speaker, and can be routed to one or both output channels. This makes the CPR12 a full two-zone system.

Other present features are a priority input, a recording output, separate sub-out channels and the 24 V DC emergency power connection. This last feature makes it possible to power the CPR12 with emergency power when the main power is shut down. In this case, the priority input will automatically mute all input signals, and a evacuation message will be announced. The steel 19" housing has a height of 2 HE.

• 10 audio input sources
• 6 Mic / Line inputs with 3 band EQ
• 4 Direct Line Inputs
• Fader volume control
• Two output zones
• Built-in pre-listening speaker
• Priority input for emergency situations
• + 15 V DC Phantom power
• Works on 24 V DC emergency power
  

• Model Name / Type: CPR12 / 10 channel 2 zone pre-amplifier
• THD+N:
• Signal/Noise: > 90 dB
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Phantom Power: + 15 V DC
• Emergency Power: + 24 V DC
  
• Power Supply: 100 - 240 V AC / 50 - 60 Hz
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 420 x 88 x 320 mm

Behringer MIC-2200 2-Channel Tube Microphone Preamplifier-Line Driver-DI Box

The MIC2200 is the ideal extension to your console, MIDI setup or hard disk recording system. Its integrated parametric EQ?s give you extra sound-shaping power, while its built-in tube adds warmth and transparency to your signal. In addition, the ULTRAGAIN PRO features direct injection and level conversion functionality.

At PreSonus, weʼve been designing preamps for a long time, and we always focus on audio quality first. So when we decided to upgrade our popular TubePre V2, we focused on improving an already high-quality sound—without jacking up the price. Like the originalTubePre, the new version is a fully professional tube preamp, with a dual-servo (no capacitors) gain stage that lets you boost the program signal to smoking hot levels without significantly increasing the background noise. Discrete components and high-voltage operation offer dynamic range and detail not found in other single-channel tube preamps in its class.

Housed in a rugged case, the TubePre V2 rear panel sports separate unbalanced, ¼” instrument and balanced, XLR mic inputs and unbalanced ¼” and balanced XLR line outputs. Weʼve included all of the extras you need for professional operation including a high-pass filter, phantom power for condenser mics, polarity reverse switch, and a backlit VU meter.