Skulptor microphone preamp
A Microphone preamp with multiple personalities
The Skulptor mic pre is a one unit 19” rack case that you can fill with up to four preamp cards.
The preamp cards can be chosen among four different preamp designs and can be mixed in any combination.
The design is compact and lightweight, packing 4 preamp's and 2 Di's in one rack unit, making it a great tool in the studio or on the road.
It is a very customisable product that you will tailor to your needs.
MP73 :
The MP73 is a three stages, single ended class A preamp based on the 1290/1073 from the world famous vintage British consoles of the 70's. Input and output are coupled with Carnhill/St. Ives transformers. The result is that legendary warm, punchy and defined sound of the old days, sought after by modern engineers. |
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MP12:
The MP12 is a single stage preamp based on the famous vintage American consoles of the 60's and 70's. The hart of the circuit is a Discrete Op-Amp, pin compatible with the API* 2520. When input and output are coupled with Cinemag transformers, the resulting sound is that punchy, forward and rich mid-range tone known as the “LA” sound.
The MP12 is highly customisable: Many input and output transformers options, many DOA's options, capacitor or direct coupling, optional servo biasing allow many variations around the basic design. |
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MP32:
The MP32 is a class A, discrete differential input, transformer output preamp. The transformerless input gives this preamp an extremely fast transient response while the transformer output adds a touch of "iron" warmth. The result is an extraordinary crystal clear but warm sound, without the "clinical" sounding of some transformerless designs.
The MP32 is customisable: Many output transformers and many DOA's options allow many variations of the sound. |
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MP66:
The MP66 is a single ended class A tube preamplifier with transformers on input and output . It is inspired by designs from the 60's.
The sound of the MP66 ranges from stunning transparency, with an overwhelming sense of dynamic, when softly driven, to soft valve limiting when you push the gain further, to heavy grunge when you slam it into the limits. The transition between these modes is very smooth. |
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DI02:
The DI02 is a direct input for instruments. It is a high input impedance FET based active stage that adapts the instrument signal to the preamp input.
The signal is routed to the input of the microphone preamp, going through the input transformer to retain its full sonic signature.
The 2 DI inputs can be internally mapped to any of the four preamp's in the rack.
The DI02 board also serves as the power distribution matrix for the preamp's. |
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PSL1 :
The PSL1 is an external linear power supply unit able to power one Skulptor mic pre equipped with 4 preamp boards. It is less than 45mm high and four of them will fit nicely in a single rack unit. The external PSU eliminates all the problems of hum induced by the proximity of power transformers.
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PSL2 :
The PSL2 is an external linear power supply unit able to power three Skulptor mic pres, that is 12 preamp boards. The external PSU eliminates all the problems of hum induced by the proximity of power transformers. |
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Discrete Op-Amps
Sound Skulptor offers five DOA's based on three topologies :
- SK25 : Our version of the API* 2520.
- SK99 : Differential input op-amp in two versions for high and low source impedance.
- SK47 : Current feedback amp in two versions for high and low source impedance.
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SKMP
The SKMP is a one unit rack enclosure, a precision machined aluminium rack case. It will take 4 preamp cards and one DI02.
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To build a professional quality microphone preamp you need :
- 1 up to 4 preamp cards chosen among 4 different models : MP73, MP12, MP32, MP66
- 1 DI card : DI02
- 1 19” one unit enclosure : SKMP
- 1 Power supply unit : PSL1 or PSL2.
* API is a registered Trademark of Automated Processes Inc.
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