Empirical Labs EL9 Mike-E

The CompSat's unique circuitry sets the Mike-E apart from all other mic preamps.

SATURATOR -  a multi stage soft-clipping circuit. At lower levels, a triode-type saturation affects the signal. As the level increases, a second unique clip circuit starts to more severely flatten out the peaks.

COMPRESSOR - based on ELI’s world famous Distressor, but with other characteristics (including a much longer attack time).  Preset ratios include: 2:1, 4:1, 8:1…and, of course, Nuke.

EMPHASIS - a two-stage circuit that boosts and soft clips high frequencies before the CompSat™ circuit, and then cuts the frequencies after it. Emphasis has the added perk of improving signal to noise, and is the reason analog tape decks used emphasis to begin with.

MIX - provides “parallel compression” technique achieved by mixing between the compressed and the dry (or uncompressed) signal. This can often help maintain transients and a sense of dynamic range while enhancing the low level nuances.

Other features include a front panel instrument input that allows the unit to function as an ultra-clean Direct Box and stereo-linking capabilities. Mike-E can also be combined with an EQ (such as the ELI Lil FrEQ), transforming it into one of the most powerful, flexible and complete channel strips on the market.

MIKE-E'S SEVEN CIRCUITS

• Freq. Response is 3 Hz to 200 kHz on (No CompSat). CompSat is 3Hz – 150Khz. Optional Transformer output is 6Hz–80kHz.

• Signal to Noise - 130 dB signal to Noise.at 40dB gain. Maximum output is +28dBu.

• Distortion Ranges between .0006% and 15% depending on mode and settings.

• Transformer coupled Input, Active and Transformer Outputs available. High quality audio caps used internally.

• Input Impedance is above 600 Ohms at all frequencies, transformer coupled. Output impedance is less than 38 ohms.  Instrument In Impedance is 332K Ohms.

• Attack/Decay Ranges - .9 – 70mS attack. .15 – 1 Sec.

• Power Consumption – 15 Watts Max.