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Tube-Tech

collapse expand iconDescription

The Tube-Tech recording channel MEC 1A is a combined microphone and DI preamplifier, equalizer and optical compressor intended for recording directly to any recording media.

Microphone preamp:

The microphone preamplifier consists of a microphone input transformer (with a static screen) with a step-up of +10 dB, two dual tube preamplifiers with two stepped gain switches, one with 10dB/step (coarse) and one 1dB/step (fine) giving a total gain range of +20dB to +70dB. The microphone input is provided with a switchable -20dB attenuation (PAD), switchable +48 V phantom-power and phase reverse. A highpass filter for the microphone and the DI input is switchable between off, 20 Hz and 40 Hz.

The microphone input is capable of accepting levels of up to +6 dBU (1.55V) at 40 Hz without the PAD. With the PAD switched into the circuit, the MEC 1A can be used as a unity gain line amplifier accepting levels up to +26 dBU (15.5V) at 40 Hz. The high impedance DI input is unbalanced and placed in the circuit directly after the input transformer. The gain range for this input is +10dB to +60dB. When in use, the microphone input is disabled.

Equalizer:

The equalizer has low and high shelving filter with a gain range of +/- 15dB, each with 6 switchable frequencies and a band filter with a gain range of +/- 20dB, 12 switchable frequencies and a bandwidth control. The shelving and the bell filters are designed around a dual tube operational amplifier. The equalizer has a separate in /out switch.

Compressor:

The compressor is of the optical device type. It has controls for ratio, threshold, attack and release. A switch selects between manual attack and release and fixed attack and release. With the link switch it is possible to link several units together on two independent bi- directional buses. The compressor has a separate in /out switch. In normal operation the equalizer is in front of the compressor, but a switch enables the compressor to be in front of the equalizer.
Tube-Tech MEC 1A Recording Channel

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Tube based "All-in-one" recording channel
  • +20 dB to +70 dB Gain mic preamp
  • Phantom Power (+48 V)
  • Phase Reverse
  • -20 dB pad
  • Lowcut filter
  • High-impedance DI-input (>1 Mohm) for direct connection of guitar, bass or keyboard
  • Three band equalizer
  • 6 Low shelving frequency choices
  • 6 High shelving frequency choices
  • Bell type Mid section with 12 switchable frequencies
  • Variable Q
  • Separate in/out switch
  • Compressor with optical gain reduction element
  • Linkable for stereo applications
  • Variable Attack and Release parameters
  • Ratio 1.5:1 to 10:1
  • Separate in/out switch

collapse expand iconSpecs

  • Impedance Input Mic. Preamp: >1.2 kohm Input,
  • Impedance Input DI: 1 Mohm/82pF
  • Impedance Output: < 60 ohm
    Frequency response @ -3 dB: 15 Hz to 80 kHz
  • Distortion THD+N @ 40 Hz 0 dBu: < 0.10 % +10 dBu: < 0.10 %
    Noise Rg=200 ohm Output Gain @ 20 dB 60 dB 22 Hz-22 kHz: < -82 dBu < -60 dBu CCIR-468-4: < -72 dBu < -50 dBu
    CMRR @ 10 kHz: < -60 dB
    Max. output @ 1 % THD+N: > +26 dBu
  • Gain Mic. Preamp: 20 dB to 70 dB DI: 10 dB to 60 dB
  • Compressor Ratio: 1.5:1 to 10:1 Threshold: off to -20 dBu Attack: 1 ms to 100 ms Release: 60 ms to 2 s
  • Tubes ECC 81 3 pcs ECC 82 1 pcs ECC 83 3 pcs
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 3.5" x 19.0" x 8.1" (2 units), 88 mm x 483 mm x 205 mm
  • Weight: 12.1 lbs, 5.5 kg
  • Power requirements @ 115 V/230 V, 50-60 Hz: 30 W

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