Mercury M76m/1 Mono Tube Microphone Preamp

The Mercury M76m/1 is is based on one of the most sought after vintage amplifier modules, the Telefunken/Siemens V76m. These modules were used in European broadcast and recording studios in the late 1950s and 60s. Later, after tube consoles where out of favor and replaced by discrete, transistor consoles, the V76 modules still lived on and were racked as outboard mic amps and used in the studios around the world.

Inspired by the vintage tone, craftsmanship the M76m/1 focuses on bringing back the sound, look and feel that inspired not only this product but this company to manufacture recording equipment and keep this and other beloved circuits alive to make more music for another generation. The latest iteration of the M76m/1 was stripped of a few vintage inspired, aesthetic extras extras of previous versions but is still loaded with the same exact tone and warmth utilizing the same exact circuit, same quality parts and same transformers Mercury have used since they started building the first M76m/1.

The Mercury M76m/1 is based on the module used in consoles which are very rare due to a minimal amount made. These amplifier modules have not been available new for more than 50 years. So, working units have become extremely rare, very expensive and in some cases are now in need of much repair. Drawing on 20+ years of experience repairing, rebuilding, and most importantly listening to the Telefunken/Siemens V76 modules it was Mercury's first priority to build a modern studio microphone amplifier that sounds identical to the original. Mercury Recording Equipment Co. kept the integrity of the original circuit, the M76m/1 has the same open, warm tonality created with the transformer balanced, dual stage, high gain amplifier, and uses four transformers and four tubes per channel.

With the addition normal modern features, such as Phantom Power, phase, as well as many new features such as Level Control and a High/Low Impedance switch never available on any module, or even custom racked units, the Mercury M76m/1 is the benchmark of modern tube microphone amplifiers.

THE M76m/1 IN DETAIL

The M76m/1 has Gain Control from 0 to +60 dB in 6 dB increments, works in conjunction with the Level Control and Output Attenuation. The Level Control, which will work as a fader, increasing (clockwise) and decreasing (counter clockwise) the amount of gain from the first stage to the second stage of the amplifier. This also allows you the ability to add musical (tube) "break up" by decreasing your level (control) and increasing the (course) gain. The Output Attenuation Control (-0 to -10 dB) has been added for even more control, including the ability shape tones in several different ways, if desired, which works well on electric guitar recordings. Mercury have also added an Impedance Select Switch for both high and low impedance devices, as well as all the staple features one expects from a modern piece of equipment were added. Phantom Power (on/off) , phase (polarity) reversal, and the amazing sounding FDI (FET direct input) circuit.

The Mercury FDI is a proprietary JFET circuit based on a Class A tube topology. The Mercury FDI is designed to reproduce every nuance of a direct recording, while the circuit lets the tube or solid-state character of the amplifier determine the overall tone. The instrument DI signal is sent through the entire microphone preamp circuitry, including Mercury's custom, massive input transformers, so that the individual character of each preamp comes through.

FEATURES:

• Mic input impedance: approx. 2k
• Suggested source impedance: approx. 200 ohms
• Input impedance with -28 dB pad: approx. 4k
• DI input impedance: 2M ohms
• Internal output impedance: 30 - 50 ohms (depends on gain setting)
• Suggested minimum load: 500 ohms
• Max. mic signal input level (@20 Hz): +34 dBu with -28 dB pad engaged/+6 dBu with pad not engaged
• Max. output level: +22 dBu
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.5 dB
• Harmonic Distortion: all musically related low orders of harmonics, with no significant order above 5th