FOCUSRITE SCARLETT OCTOPRE DYN Microphone preamplifier

The Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic from Focusrite is an eight-channel preamp and interface suitable for expanding the input array of any studio, and also, for use on stage. Connections are secured via eight combination inputs, each one giving you jacks that accept 1/4" and XLR cables. Two of the inputs can handle Hi-Z instruments as well, allowing you to plug in guitars and basses. Eight 1/4" line outs are also available via the rear panel. Also provided are eight channels of AD/DA conversion up to 192 kHz. This feature, combined with the unit's back-panel ADAT I/O section, renders the Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic quite suitable for expanding the input and output capability of interfaces such as the Scarlett 18i8, 18i20, or indeed, any interface connectable via ADAT.

 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 U5 high-voltage DI-preamp combines a unique passive tone selector with a variable
gain preamp and filter. The high input impedance accepts a wide variety of signal levels
and instruments from acoustic guitars to high-output active bass guitars and keyboards.
The U5 direct box is loaded with sonic character and user features professionals demand.

U5 FEATURES
Pure Class A, 100% discrete design
Smooth musical detail and sonic excellence
Variable gain preamp to +30dB.
Dual microphone and line outputs
Hi-Z   3,000,000 ohm input impedance
Very low noise -100dB
High headroom +30dB
Six tone bank selections.
DC coupled Class A output for superior bass
High cut switch eliminates noise
LED active signal indicator
Headphone monitor output jack
Low distortion less than 0.5% THD and IMD
High level 400 watt speaker input
Active to thru selector - ground isolation switch
100% discrete power supplies for audio path
Internal toroidal power supply for low noise
Long lasting, stainless steel hardware
 
SONIC EXCELLENCE
The Avalon U5 Pure Class A instrument DI & preamplifier is the most powerful direct box
available today.  Designed to optimize absolute signal integrity and musical performance,
the U5 includes many features and sonic excellence unequaled by lesser designs. The
U5 is ideal for bass guitar and acoustic instruments, electric guitars, keyboards, synthesizers
and low output pickups. 
Features include state-of-the-art, high input impedance input stage for zero load effect on
sensitive pickups and keyboards, 100% discrete, Pure Class A signal amplifiers, practical
user features and rugged hardware designed to deliver true high performance audio for many
years. 
DESIGNED FOR DEEP & CONTROLLED BASS
Avalon U5 DI-preamps have been in use around the world since 1995. They have found their way
into the world's leading musicians rigs and recording sessions and been featured on thousands
of the best selling (and sounding) albums and live performances.
MINIMUM SIGNAL PATH DESIGN
The U5 includes a variable gain Class A preamplifier to boost low level pickup signals and a high
level speaker input for capturing the live sound of the instruments amplifier. Six passive tone-EQ
curves are also included to enhance a variety of acoustic and electric instruments. A high-cut switch
eliminates unwanted acoustic pickup and high frequency noise, while a  headphone monitor amp
has been included for personal listening. Twin DC coupled Class A output amplifiers drive both low
level microphone preamp inputs and high level +4dB inputs for direct to tape recording or processing.
The active-to-thru switch selects either the instrument input directly or sends the boosted-equalized
signal to the amplifier via the front panel jack. A ground isolation switch eliminates any possible earth
loop or AC buzz problems with complete safety.

U5 SPECIFICATIONS
Circuit Topology:  100% discrete, high-voltage Class A 
Gain:  Switched 3dB steps, maximum gain +30dB 
Input Impedance:  3 ,000,000 ohm unbalanced (single ended) 
Maximum Input Level  +24dBu unbalanced, 400w speaker input 
Output Connectors (2):  XLR type, pin 2 hot electronic balanced 
Maximum Output Level (Class A):  +30dBu DC coupled, balanced 600 ohms (mic and line out) 
Headphone Output:  0.5w into 600 ohms 
Noise 20kHz Unweighted:  -100dBu minimum gain position 
Distortion THD, IMD:  0.1% at +10dB 
Frequency Response, -/+0.5dB:  5Hz to 100kHz 
Frequency Response, -3dB:  1Hz to 500kHz (input band limited) 
High Cut Filter:  -3dB at 8kHz minimum phase design 
Tone Selector:  Six position rotary switch, all passive filters 
AC Power:  Internal toroidal AC supply 
Dimensions:  8.5 x 3.5 x 12 in (216 x 88 x 305mm) 
Weight-Packed:  12lbs (5.4kg) 
Rack mount kit (1) RM-1:  Single U5 19 inch rack mount kit (holds one half rack unit) 
Rack mount kit (2) RM-2:  Dual U5 19 inch rack mount kit (holds two half rack units) 

Applications

Console input extending for both Digital and Analog mixing
consoles in Studio, Live and Broadcast
Mic Pre-amps for ADAT/ Hard Disk/ Multitrack Recording
 
Innovation
If you love your compact Digital (or Analog) mixing console, but wish it had
more microphone inputs, ARX has the solution ? the 8 Pre: eight channels
of superb sounding Microphone Pre-amps in a compact 1 RU chassis.
The 8 Pre is the ideal console extender for those times when you need more
microphone inputs. Now you can put those unused line inputs to good use,
and who knows - the 8 Pre pre-amps sound so good that you?ll probably end
up using them all the time instead of the ones that came with your mixer!
Superb Audio Quality
The 8 Pre?s ultra low noise figures come from extensive use of premium
components plus care and attention to board design and layout. The result is
superb, transparent audio quality and the headroom to handle anything that a
mic can throw at it.
Gain is adjustable from 20 db through to 60 dB via a trim control on the front
panel, plus we?ve included a ?20dB Pad switch to tame the hottest condenser
mic output if required. The Clip status LED lights up 1 dB before the onset of
clipping, just to warn you you?re getting close.Phantom power is switchable in
banks of four channels: 1 through 4, 5 through 8. A Phase reverse switch is also
provided on each pre-amp channel to eliminate any close miking problems.
In short, the ARX 8 Pre is the mic Pre-amp that you?ll wish the console manufacturer
had used. It provides a unique solution to today?s multiple Mic Pre-amp requirements.

T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
Input Gain 20dB to 60dB
Input Pad ?20dB
Input Impedance 4 KOhm
Input Headroom +23dB
Output Impedance 300 Ohm
Output Level (Max) +23dB
Frequency Response 20Hz ? 20KHz ±0.2 dB
Signal to Noise ratio (Gain set @ 20 dB)
?93dB Unweighted, ?99dB ?A? weighted
Distortion @ Unity Gain .004%, 20 Hz ? 10 KHz
Dynamic Range 116 dB
Phantom Power 48 VDC
Input Connectors Balanced XLR
Output Connectors Balanced TRS jack
Clip Indicator Illuminates 1 dB prior to clipping
Power Requirements 100/120 V AC, 220/240 V AC
Weight 5 lbs/2.2 Kg
Dimensions 19“W x 1?“H x 6“D, 482 x 44 x 155mm

The PRE-73 DLX is a one-channel vintage style microphone-, line- and instrument preamplifier. The signal path uses only discrete components like resistors, capacitors and transistors. The line and microphone input and the line output are transformer balanced, using three different transformers, each one optimized for its purpose.
This is the way audio components were built before integrated circuits became available. The subjective sound quality delivered by vintage equipment is often prefered over the one delivered by modern units, a situation that is even more obvious now when music is recorded with clean-sounding digital audio equipment.

The circuit used in the PRE-73 DLX is similar to the preamp section in the classical 1073 module with a corresponding sound character that is warm, punchy, sweet and musical. These classic characteristics have been heard on countless recordings through the years and it is a versatile sound that works very well on most sound sources and in most genres. The essence of this sound is now available at a surprisingly low cost, making it available to nearly everyone.

FEATURES

- Vintage Style electronics. No intergrated circuits in the signal path.
- Maximum gain on the mic input is 80 dB, enough to handle passive ribbon mics with quiet sound sources.
- Gain range on the Line input: -20 to + 10 dB.
- Switchable impedance on the mic input, 1200 or 300 Ohms, will change the tone of most mics.
- Switchable phantom power and absolute phase.
- A high-impedance instrument input for any sound module, electric guitar or bass.
- A simple but effective 4-step LED output level meter.
- The output level controls makes it possible to make fine gain adjustments and also to overload the main gain stage(s) for more character and then lower the signal to a suitable level before the output stage.
- Combo XLR/TRS input jacks and separate output XLR and TRS jacks for flexible connections.
- Insert jack for inserting EQ´s and other units.
- External high power power supply to avoid interaction with the audio circuits and transformers.
- A solid build quality that will last many years of normal use.

The PRE-73 DLX has a number of improvement and new features compared to the PRE-73 MKII:
- Tantalum capacitors in the signal path.
- Selectable 1073-style high pass filter, 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz and 300Hz.
- Output Attenuator -7, -14, -21 and -28 dB (located after the output transformer) allows overdriving the output stage and the output transformer for added character by lowering the output signal to a suitable level.
- The circuit board is prepared for Carnhill Mic and Line transformer and high pass inductor.
- The Insert jack can be switched in/out from the front panel. An internal jumper can select that the Insert jack always has an output signal.
- Switchable 600 ohm Output Termination and Ground Lift on the back panel.
- Selectable Active or Passive DI input and selectable input impedance in active mode, Hi Z or 100 kohm, by internal jumpers.
- The DI can signal can be selected to pass or bypass the mic input transformer by internal jumpers.
- Relays are used to control internal switching for DI input, Phantom power, Mic Low Z, Insert and Phase for shorter circuit board signal paths. The relays are controlled by front panel switches.
- Revised gain switch for added headroom.
- Circuit board star grounding scheme.
- Revised power supply with separate regulators for the audio circuits and relay and LED circuits.

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