Mercury Grand PreQ15s Mono Microphone Preamp/EQ

The Mercury Grand PreQ15s is a mono, fully discrete studio preamp with 3-band equalizer and high/low pass filters and is fully balanced with transformer coupled input and output. The GPQ15s has many additions to the classic circuit as well as all the modern features you will require packed into a solidly built 1U chassis. The GPQ15s boasts premium components, custom transformers, and is proudly built in the USA.

The GPQ15s comes with an external, premium quality power supply - the Mercury DC-1. The DC-1 uses a large toroidal transformer and has dual regulation for clean, quiet power. It includes a 5-pin XLR cable to run from Mercury DC-1 to the Mercury GPQ15s.

"After many years custom racking 'Vintage BBC Spec' Console Input Modules and having the luxury of being able to hear just about every one of the Discrete, British Pre/EQ modules ever made... I have always had a favorite. I am a fan of many of them, but one has always seemed to shine above the rest, for me, due to its silky smooth tone and overall musicality, the Vintage Calrec PQ15s. I am thrilled to be able to share this old favorite, in a new way and with some additional features in our Mercury Grand PreQ15s."

• David Marquette, Mercury Recording Equipment Co.

FEATURES:

• Direct mic/line switch: When not engaged, the input XLR at the rear of the GPQ15s is the input source for either mic or line inputs. When the switch is engaged, the 1/4" jack (below the switch) becomes the input source, accepting an instrument level signal (bass or guitar). This jack uses the Mercury FDI (FET direct input) MKII circuit to convert to mic level and runs into the input transformer and complete GPQ15s circuits for the ability to have amazing control and tone on 'direct' recordings.
• Direct input (1/4" jack): This input is used when the Direct Mic/Line Switch is engaged for instrument level sources, giving you the ability to record guitar or bass directly.
• Gain Control (course gain - input attenuator): 0 dB and -12 dB for line level sources, -24 dB, -36 dB, -48 dB and -60 dB for mic level sources.
• Fine Gain Control: At the 12 o'clock position, the Fine Gain Control is at 0 dB, and the amount of input gain is the same as shown on the Gain Control or Course Gain (to the left). Turning the Fine Gain Control counter-clockwise, you can reduce the amount of gain up to -8 dB. Turning the Fine Gain Control clockwise, you can add up to +8 dB of gain, in addition to the amount shown on the Gain Control or Course Gain.
• Output Level Control (fader): The Output Level Control allows you to reduce the level of the output of the GPQ15s. This works like the fader on your console's input channel. Turn the Output Level Control completely clockwise and the fader is 'open', allowing the maximum amount of output level. Turn the Output Level Control counter-clockwise to reduce the amount of output of the GPQ15s, all the way down to zero output level.
• Phantom ON/Off LED (Red) and Phantom On/Off Switch: When engaged, Phantom power (48V DC) is on and will power your phantom powered microphone.
• Phase ON/Off LED (White) and Phase On/Off Switch: When not engaged, the phase is ‘normal’ or Pin 2 hot. When engaged, the phase is 'reversed' or Pin 3 hot.
• EQ In/Out LED (Blue) and EQ In/Out Switch: When not engaged, the EQ Section (Treble, Presence and Bass) are 'out'. When engaged, the EQ Section is 'In'.