Phoenix Audio Ascent Two EQ Dual-Mono Microphone Preamp/EQ

The Phoenix Audio Ascent Two EQ is a dual-mono (1RU) Gyrator EQ with the Phoenix Ascent Mic Preamp/DI. It features a modern approach to Class A circuit design delivering a wide range of tones without sacrificing the beloved vibe of true Class A design.

Phoenix Ascent Mic Preamp/DIs

The unique Ascent circuit can go from ultra-clean sounds suitable for audiophile recordings all the way to the warm, saturated tones reminiscent of the UK's most heralded vintage designs. Versatility and superior sound have made the Ascent Preamp/DI a top-tier choice for engineers around the world and a modern day classic.

The exclusive electronically-balanced, transformerless mic input circuit delivers fast transients and the full frequency spectrum (from sub-bass to the highest air band), while still delivering the full, warm and smooth characteristics that make engineers love Class A mic preamps. Boldly outperforming transformer-based designs in both the frequency response and slew rate, the Ascent delivers articulate, punchy and full-bodied input signals, allowing you to drive the output stage for a vast range of pure Class A tones — from bold clarity to vintage warmth, and everything in between.

The custom-wound DB694 output transformer is coupled to Phoenix's proprietary, fully discrete DSOP-2 output amplifier. The DSOP-2 is a direct descendent of the venerable TF1 amp which Phoenix's head-designer, David Rees, developed as an upgrade for vintage Neve modules. Going beyond the TF1, the DSOP2 is the pinnacle of Class A output circuit design, offering up a smooth transition from ultra-clean to beautifully saturated tones.

The Ascent mic pre series include very high input impedance DI circuits (10Mohm)—remarkably featuring no FETs—on every channel. This design means that guitar and bass pickups are not loaded, allowing the natural sound of both modern and vintage instruments to shine and actually enhancing the sound, sparkle and growl as if they were plugged into your favorite amp. Synths, drum machines, and even laptops can likewise be sweetened by the Ascent's DI.

Because you're working with a clean, robust, electronically-balanced input signal, the Ascent Mic Preamp/DI makes dialing in your exact sound easy, intuitive and quick. By working the familiar stepped input gain control (up to 70 db alone) and the -30 dB pad against the variable output fader (which provides an additional 10 dB of gain), you can dial in your preferred tones without having to consider an overly complex gain architecture. It's all about driving the versatile DSOP-2 output stage to your exacting tastes, whatever they may be in any given moment. Like so many other engineers, you'll find yourself reaching for the Ascent Mic Preamp/DI over and over again to reliably deliver a vast array of outstanding sounds for any instrument or voice you're recording.

Powerful variable high pass filter from 70 Hz to 400 Hz allowing you the ability to control and shapes tones of all types.

Ascent Mic Preamp/DI Features:

• Phoenix Audio's unique Class A, transformerless, true-balanced mic input stage
• Phoenix Audio's transformer-balanced DSOP-2 Class-A discrete output stage with custom wound DB694 output transformer
• Wired with PTFE silver plated military grade cable
• -15 dB input pad
• LED Gain Metering
• Push buttons: Hi-Pass, Phase Reverse, Switchable 48 V phantom power on push-button switch
• High Pass Filter on Push-button Switch (Roll-off -6 dB per octave @ 80 Hz)
• Phase Reverse on Push-Button Switch
• Mic Pre Gain Range: -30 to -70 in 5 dB steps With 10dB more available on the detented ouput fader.
• Output= +26 dBu @ 1 kHz, Noise = -90 dB @ 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
• Frequency Response Mic Input Stage: -0.4 dB @ 40 Hz, -0.3 dB @ 25 kHz
• Frequency response Class A (DSOP-2) output stage: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.5 dB, maximum

Phoenix Ascent Gyrator EQ

Phoenix Audio's Ascent Gyrator EQ is one of today's most unique and musical EQs, allowing an incredible variety of sounds useful for everything from clean high-headroom mix buss tone shaping to deep frequency carving to smooth Class A circuit saturation.

The Gyrator EQ was first developed during what most consider the golden age of solid-state analog audio design: the 1970s. Originally designed to emulate the characteristics of an active inductor EQ (think Neve, API), the Gyrator EQ uses a rather clever combination of an amplifier, resistors and capacitors to accomplish incredibly smooth and musical frequency modifications. The modern-day Phoenix Ascent Gyrator EQ gives you High, High-Mid, Low-Mid and Low frequency bands, each notched to proven frequencies from a shimmering 15 kHz on down to a thumping 40 Hz. There's also a high pass filter at 80 Hz, which can eliminate rumble or be used "against" low-end boosts for an extra range of unique EQ curves (think: Pultec). Even at extreme boosts and cuts, the Ascent Gyrator EQ's uniquely musical filters maintain the core quality of your original signal, allowing you to make bold, gut-level EQ moves that won't sound harsh, slurred or out of phase. Used more subtly, these four filters are capable of highly coherent tone shaping suitable for full mixes and mastering.

Phoenix Audio's renowned DSOP-2 output amplifier, with its custom-wound transformer, is able to deliver everything from ultra-clean signals with abundant headroom to fat, fully saturated tones. By lowering the input attenuator and boosting the output signal, one can drive the DSOP-2 output stage for a wide variety of lush, Class A saturation. Or, do the opposite—back off on the output while boosting the input—and you'll get huge, clean, hi-fi tones. Many engineers even use the Ascent Gyrator EQ completely flat in order to simply add the musicality of the proprietary amplifier circuits.

The Ascent Gyrator EQ is a powerfully versatile, high-quality studio tool. Unlike many Class A EQs that just do "their thing" due to inherent distortion characteristics, the Ascent Gyrator EQ keeps the input signal clean, making it possible for the engineer to keep tones transparent or saturate them to taste. Importantly, doing so is effortless and intuitive due to the Ascent Gyrator's straight-forward design and unerring musicality.

The sheen control brings life and vitality to your vocals and instruments by adding a super high frequency boost or cut and adding a sheen.

Ascent Gyrator EQ Features:

• 4 Bands of Gyrator EQ + High-Pass Filter
• High – 15, 10, 25 kHz 'sheen band'
• Hi Mid – 6, 3, 16 kHz
• Low Mid – 800, 400, 200 Hz
• Low – 130, 80, 40 Hz
• High Pass Filter at 80 Hz, 12 dB/octave
• EQ Cut/Boost Levels
• 16 dB Cut/Boost Per Band
• All EQ bands are stepped/detented to 21 positions for easy recall & stereo operations for mastering or the mix bus
• Phoenix Audio's Class-A DSOP-2 Output Amplifier with custom-wound transformer