MicPre 5.
ii Warranty Speck Electronics products are warranted to the original owner to be free of defects in material or workmanship. This warranty does not apply to any product subject to accident, misuse, neglect or failure to comply with normal maintenance procedures or if the serial number has been defaced, altered, or removed; nor will Speck Electronics accept responsibility for damages resulting from improper installation, alteration or unauthorized parts or repairs.
iii Contents Chapter 1 Introduction General ................................................................................. Standard Accessories ............................................................ Optional Accessories ............................................................ Operator Safety Summary ....................................................... Power source ........................................................................ Grounding the product .................................
iv Rear Panel ................................................................................. Microphone input .................................................................. Preamp output ...................................................................... O.S.P. switch ......................................................................... Insert jacks ........................................................................... Pre Out-B / Line In jacks ...........................................
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Chapter 1 Introduction Section 1 Introduction MicPre 5.0 - Microphone Preamp and Mix Node General Thank you for purchasing our MicPre 5.0 microphone preamplifier. The MicPre 5.0 has operational features that are easy to understand and you should be up and running in no time. If you are unfamiliar with audio equipment or audio signal flow, it is recommended that you read this manual. If you have any questions regarding the MicPre 5.0 or any Speck product, do not hesitate to contact Speck Electronics.
Chapter 1 Introduction Section Standard accessories 2 The MP5.0 is supplied with the following list of accessories: Operations Manual Power cord (NA version only) (4) rubber bumpers - used for table top mounting or stacking multiple units. (2) 6-32 x ½” machine screws - supplied to mount the MP 5.0 to an optional rack shelf.
Chapter 1 Introduction Section Do not remove the cover 3 To avoid personal injury, do not remove the top cover of the MP 5.0 and never operate the MP 5.0 without the cover properly installed. The MP 5.0 with its internal power supply contains voltages that can cause serious injury or death. Refer all repairs to a qualified service technician, or directly to Speck Electronics.
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Chapter 2 Installation Section 5 Installation General The following information should give you the basics on how to install the MP 5.0. The proper installation of the MP 5.0 as part of a larger system requires a clear understanding of audio wiring, AC distribution, grounding, and shielding techniques. When the MP 5.0 is being installed into a larger system it may be necessary to retain the services of someone experienced in these matters.
Chapter 2 Installation Section 6 To avoid electrical shock, plug the MP 5.0 into a properly wired receptacle. The ground pin of the power cord is internally connected to the chassis. For safety reasons, do not lift the ground on the power plug by using a ground lift adapter. Mechanical installation The location of the MP 5.0 should be such that the operator has a clear, unobstructed view of the front panel from his/her normal operating position.
Chapter 2 Installation Section Cleaning 7 The front panel is a high quality painted surface and the panel lettering is applied using a silkscreen printing technique. To clean the front panel, wipe the surface gently using a soft lintfree cloth to avoid scratching the panel or markings. Paper towels are not recommended.
Chapter 2 Installation Section 8 Basic connections to the MicPre 5.0 4 3 PRE OUT-B LINE IN AUX DC OUT speck electronics MicPre 5.0 S/N OR INSERT RTN INSERT SEND O.S.P. MIX LEFT MIX LINK 6 MIX RIGHT 5 NORMAL DIRECT INPUT OUTPUT 2 1 Input / Output connectors The XL mic input and XL pre output are the primary connections to the MP 5.0. The XL microphone input (1) is designed to receive a signal from any low impedance balanced microphone.
Chapter 2 Installation Section 9 If wiring the XL Pre Out for unbalanced operation, the cable should be wired according to the diagram shown below in Figure 1. Do not connect pin 3 2 1 3 Shield Shield To MP 5.0 XL output To unbalanced input Figure 1. Unbalanced wiring for XL output If wiring the Insert Send (Pre Out-B) or Mix Outs for unbalanced operation, the cable should be wired according to the diagram shown below in Figure 2.
Chapter 2 Installation Section 10 Connecting the MP 5.0 to the Model ASC EQ With only a few simple connections, the MP 5.0 can be combined with the Speck Electronics "Model ASC" 4 band equalizer to form a single channel strip. The following illustration shows how to interface the ASC equalizer to the insert send/return jacks of the MP5.0 and how to power the ASC from the Aux DC power source of the MP 5.0. If you use the optional ASC-DCI cable, do not use the ASC power module for the installation.
Chapter 2 Installation Section 11 Linking two MP 5.0's With only a simple connection, the mix sections of two MP 5.0's can be summed together and operate like a multichannel mixer. To link two MP 5.0's, an optional MP50-LINK2 mix link cable is required. This link cable has RJ-45 modular plugs on both ends. One end has a "clear" colored plug and the other end has a "red" plug. The MP 5.0 that receives the "red" plug is the unit that will become the master.
Chapter 2 Installation Section 12 Linking more than two MP 5.0's With only a simple connection, three or more MP 5.0’s can be summed together and operate like a multichannel mixer. To link the MP 5.0's, an optional mix link cable is required. This link cable has as many as eight RJ-45 modular plugs wired in a "daisy chain" configuration. All of the plugs are a "clear" color except for a "red" colored plug at one end. The MP 5.0 that receives the "red" plug is the unit that will become the master.
Chapter 2 Installation Section 13 Interfacing two MP 5.0's for M-S operation With only a simple connection, two MP 5.0’s can be linked together for M-S (Mid-Side) micing. To link MP 5.0's for M-S micing, an optional link cable is required. This link cable has a RJ-45 modular plug on one end, and a TRS ¼" plug at the other end. The MP 5.0 that receives the RJ-45 modular plug is this unit that will become the master. The illustration below shows how to link two MP 5.0's.
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Chapter 3 Operation Section 15 Operation General In this section we hope to give you basic information on the operation of the MicPre 5.0 and adequately describe its controls, switches, and connectors. The information in this section of the manual is intended to help with the technical process when using your MP 5.0. Words alone could not adequately describe how to adjust the controls for every situation you might encounter with the MP 5.0.
Chapter 3 Operation Section 16 Front Panel Controls 1. Gain switch This 11 position rotary switch adjusts the mic gain in 5dB steps from +10dB to +60dB. When the Mic/DI switch is selected for D.I., the gain range is from -10dB to +40dB in 5 dB steps. 2. Trim control The trim control provides -10dB to +10dB of continuous adjustment with a center detent of 0dB. A total gain of 70 dB is available when the Gain adjust is set to 60, the Trim is set to +10, and the -20 Pad is disabled. 3.
Chapter 3 Operation Section 17 6. 48V Phantom The phantom switch supplies a DC voltage of +48 volts to pins 2 and 3 of the XL mic input connector for powered microphones that do not use their own external power supply. A red LED indicates the operation of the phantom power. Important information regarding phantom power Before using the +48 Phantom power switch, always follow these rules: uAlways check the user guide that comes with your microphone regarding the use of phantom power.
Chapter 3 Operation Section 10. Filter bypass switch 11. VU Meter 12. Power indicator 18 This switch is used to enable or disable the High Pass filter circuit. In the “out” position, this switch completely bypasses all filter circuitry. When this switch is depressed, the HP filter is enabled. A yellow LED indicates the operation of the High Pass filter.
Chapter 3 Operation Section 13. Mix level control 14. Mix pan control 15. Mix mute switch 19 This control adjusts the level being sent to the mix outputs. The operation of this control does not affect the signal at the main XL output connector. 14 C Level The pan control allows the mix signal to be panned anywhere in the stereo perspective. Depressing this switch removes the mix signal from the left/right mix output and the left/right terminals of the mix link connector.
Chapter 3 Operation Section 20 Rear Panel 16. Microphone input This microphone input XL connector is used to connect a low impedance microphone. The mic input is selected with the Mic/DI switch on S/N speck the front panel. Before electronics MicPre 5.0 connecting your microphone, it is 1 2 2 1 recommended to set the 3 3 O.S.P. Gain to the 10dB setting and the 48V phantom NORMAL power switch to the off INPUT OUTPUT DIRECT position. The mic input XL 16 18 17 connector is wired as shown below in Figure 5.
Chapter 3 Operation Section 21 18. O.S.P. (Output Signal Path) The Output Signal Path (O.S.P) switch gives you the choice of two paths for the signals originating at the mic or D.I. inputs and exiting at the XL preamp output. When set to the “Normal” position, the mic or D.I. signal will pass through the main preamp stage, the insert send and return jacks, and high pass filter section before passing to the XL output connector.
Chapter 3 Operation Section 22 19. Insert Send and Insert Return jacks The MP 5.0 provides balanced TRS insert send and return jacks for line level interstage access after the mic preamp stage and before the high pass filter section. The insert jacks may be used to connect limiters or equalizers. The Insert Send jacks are wired as shown below in Figure 10. HIGH LOW GROUND TIP RING SLEEVE Figure 10.
Chapter 3 Operation Section 23 The signal flow diagram below (Figure 12) shows two separate signal paths with the "mic to pre out" shown in a dashed line and the "line in to mix out" as a solid bold line. "Line In to Mix Out" signal path "Mic input to Pre Out" signal path Figure 12. Flow diagram for split signal path 21. Mix output jacks These "Active-Balanced" TRS jacks are the left and right outputs for the mix section.
Chapter 3 Operation Section 22. Mix link connector 24 The mix link connector allows the mix section of the MP 5.0 to be combined with any number of MP 5.0's to form a fully integrated mix section. The mix link connector can also be used to connect two MP 5.0's for M-S (midside) micing. 23 RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK - DO NOT CAUTION OPEN OR EXPOSE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. 115V (.2A) 230V (.
Chapter 3 Operation Section 25 Specifications Gain Range (Mic) 70 dB total +10 to +60dB in 5dB steps -10/+10 variable trim Gain Range (D.I.) -20 to +40 dB in 5 dB steps THD+n (Gain +40, Output +12dBu) .002% nominal Noise EIN (22Hz-22kHz) (150 ohm load, 60dB gain) -126 dBu Freqency Response 10Hz-200kHz (+0/-3dB) Mic input impedence 4.6k ohms D.I. input impedence 50k ohms Maximum input level +18dBu (without pad) +30dBu (with 20dB pad in) Max.
Chapter 4 Wiring and Other 26 Wiring & Other General The following information is not specific to the operation of the MicPre 5.0, but rather general information regarding the “care and feeding” of an audio system. A general discussion about AC, AC grounding, audio grounding, EMI, and quality wiring is discussed in this section. These subjects are very often overlooked or misunderstood, and should be given consideration when interfacing your equipment to any audio product.
Chapter 4 Wiring and Other 27 AC Distribution and Safety Proper AC grounding When you are evaluating voltage and current requirements for your audio system, it is important that your MP 5.0 and/or audio system does not exceed the capacity of your AC service.
Chapter 4 Wiring and Other 28 Given the same circumstances, if the AC safety ground has been defeated with a ground lift or the AC service is incorrectly wired, the equipment's chassis and quite possibly everything attached in that rack would be "live" with 120 volts. Audio earth In an electronics context, an earth provides a path for unwanted EMI noise to be carried away from your audio equipment.
Chapter 4 Wiring and Other 29 EMI and RFI The occurrence of EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) and RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) in a contemporary studio system should be of great concern and not overlooked when installing the MP 5.0. EMI is defined as any unwanted signal which adversely affects the operation of the MP 5.0 or your audio system.
