The Mäag Audio PREQ2-500 is a single channel, 500-series version mic preamp with the same circuit topology and sound as our top-of-the line Mäag Audio PREQ2™ Dual-Channel Strip with AIR BAND®.
The PREQ2-500 has a total of 71dB of Class-A gain that starts with the same Mäag Audio-built nickel-core input transformer as the 1U dual channel PREQ2. Just like the PREQ2 Dual Channel Strip, it includes a front panel ¼-inch (1-meg-ohm) Instrument Input jack that when used, automatically routes its signal to the input transformer and also disconnects the 48-volt phantom power if already turned on.
The front panel continues with a ¼-inch Thru/Output jack that provides an unbalanced, isolated and boosted “duplicate” of either the low impedance microphone or the Instrument inputs. The Thru/Output signal is capable of driving a long line out to guitar amps in the studio and/or effects pedals effectively and without quality loss. Great for creating unique effects, you may “re-amp” and externally process either the low impedance microphone input signal or any instrument directly connected to the PREQ2’s front panel ¼-inch input jack.
The PREQ2-500 has an Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) level of -128dBu, +25dBU of headroom, plus the acclaimed AIR BAND® EQ with up to 9dB of boost at your choice of 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40-kHz frequencies.
Microphone gain is continuously variable using a single, large control knob that is switchable between two gain ranges of either +20dB to +42dB for most recordings or +42dB to +71dB using the +25dB boost button. This higher microphone gain is noise-free and perfect for very quiet sources like Foley/sound effects or low output, old vintage mics.
The compact front panel finishes with push-button switches for +48-volt phantom power on/off, -20dB attenuation pad, a 70Hz, 2nd order 12dB/Oct high pass filter, phase or polarity reverse, and AIR BAND® EQ on/off.
Convenient front panel ¼-inch Instrument Input and Instrument/Microphone Thru output
Discrete Class-A transformer-coupled preamp with reamplification capabilities
71dB of gain available, making it optimal for multiple instruments and ribbon mics

VIDEO

TECH SPECS

Max Gain 71dB
Noise level at the lowest gain setting is -100dB. EIN is -128dB
The microphone transformer feeds a differential set of front-end Class A discrete transistors paired with a FET input operational amplifier
High and low gain push button switch. Low range: +20dB to +42dB. High range (gain +25 switch with green LED): +42dB to +71dB. Switchable -20dB pad
+48-volt phantom power, switchable, with red LED. Phase reversal switch: switches the phase of the balanced output
Green signal present LED, red peak LED lights at +25dBu

SUPPORT