Maag Audio PREQ2 Dual Mic Preamp with EQ

The Maag Audio PREQ2 Dual Mic Preamp with EQ is a complete analog system for either recording or mixing housed in a 1U standalone unit. It comes with Cliff Maag’s venerable Air Band shelving equalizer first introduced in 1993 with his NTI EQ3 equalizer.

The PREQ2 will handle either line or microphone signal levels with two matched channels both with separate rear panel line level input and microphone XLR connectors and switchable +48-volt phantom powering. The rear panel also has XLR output connectors for each channel and a on/off/fuse mains switch.

All switches on the PREQ2 have colorful LEDs to confirm their operation and all controls have detents with the exception of the continuously variable microphone gain.

MICROPHONE INPUT

The Maag Audio PREQ2 microphone preamp has up to 71 dB of gain split between a discrete Class A transistor preamp along with a large, nickel-core Maag Audio-built input transformer (one for each channel). This circuit offers a clean, detailed sound with +27 dBu of headroom and an EIN noise level of -128 dB. There are two optimized gain ranges selectable on the front panel. The default gain range is +20 dB to +42 dB and a +42 to +71 dB gain range in high gain mode using the front panel’s 25 dB gain switch. Maximum input level is +8d B.

The Microphone Input section has front panel switches, LED indicators and buttons for: +48-volt phantom powering, -20 dB attenuation pad, plus signal present, +26 dBu peak LEDs, and phase or polarity flip. Microphone gain is continuously adjustable using a single, large mic gain control knob.

LINE INPUT

The front panel Line switch toggles the rear panel XLR line input connectors in place of the microphone preamp’s output (after the input transformer and microphone preamp). It is possible to keep both a microphone and a line level source always connected to the PREQ2 and toggle both channels separately. You could have one channel working as a microphone preamp channel and the other as a line level amplifier for recording a direct musical instrument (bass or guitar) at the same time.

Both mic input sections have ¼-inch TS jacks for high impedance (1 mega-ohm) instrument input with a companion ¼-inch output Thru jack that simultaneously provides an isolated, buffered output—a “copy” of the instrument input signal at unity gain. In addition to providing an unbalanced signal for running long leads out to instrument amplifiers in the studio and/or stomp pedals, for live re-amplifying the Thru jack’s output signal is also active when using the XLR microphone input.

When using the instrument input TS jack, the Maag Audio PREQ2 uses an automatic detection circuit to switch (using a relay) and route the unbalanced ¼-inch input signal to the mic input transformer. The impedance is lowered for a better match to the transformer. This detection circuit makes it is impossible for the 48-volt phantom power to ever reach the ¼-inch or XLR Line input even if already turned on.

EQUALIZATION SECTIONS

The Maag Audio PREQ2 has three equalizer/filters sections; the layout and control compliment are identical for both channels. The equalizer design is specifically designed for both recording and/or subtle touchup tonality changes and euphonic enhancements.

On the left side of the channel is the first control for the 2nd order, 12 dB/octave high pass filter. It is fully variable using a 21-detent control to sweep from 20 Hz to 200 Hz. It has its own hardwired, in/out bypass switch.

Next is the Low Frequency bell-shaped equalizer section with a boost (only) control at 6 dB/Octave. Frequencies are switched using a six position rotary switch and are: 10 Hz (Sub) shelf, and bell-shaped curves for 40 Hz, 65 Hz, 100 Hz, 125 Hz, and 165 Hz. Up to 9 dB of boost is available.

AIR BAND

The third band of the equalizer is the Maag Audio Air Band shelving section with 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40-kHz frequency choices with its own control and up to 9 dB of maximum boost. Both the Air Band and Low Frequency equalizers share a single bypass push-button.

FEATURES:

• Discrete Class A transformer coupled preamp with reamplification capabilities
• World renowned AIR BAND Technology and focused low frequency EQ
• Perfect for recording, tonality touch-up, and euphonic enhancements
• Noise level at the lowest gain setting is -100 dB, EIN is -128 dB
• Balanced XLR Output Head room is +27 dBu
• 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: +20 dB to +42 dB, high range (Gain +25 Switch with Green LED) +42 dB to +71 dB
• Switchable -20 dB Pad with Green LED
• +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 +26 dBu