Get vintage color, modern transparency, or something in-between—all in one rack space—with the DP3, a versatile, hybrid-design stereo mic preamp from TK Audio. The unit provides a pair of pristine high-input-stage mic preamps with 80 dB of gain and selectable 48V phantom power for condenser microphones. In addition, selectable Class-A, germanium, and saturation controls let you add a wide range of vintage tonal options that include the midrange germanium crunch of the mid ‘60s, the low-mid punch and thick sound associated with British Class-A preamps from the early ‘70s, and the more modern tones of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Tons of Tones
- While the DP3 includes TK’s proven input stage and germanium circuit from the DP2, it also incorporates a new saturation circuit that—together with the vintage Class-A stage—gives you a broad palette of character choices.
- The input stage is designed around a high-quality Swedish Lundahl transformer and high gain stage, followed by selectable saturation and germanium circuits for even more color and harmonics.
- Instead of switching output stages, as was done in previous models, the Class-A stage is now inserted in front of the Output level control, letting you drive the transformer harder without overloading your A/D converters, while making the output less sensitive to different impedances.
- The Class-A stage uses a heavy, custom-made Carnhill transformer that produces a fat, punchy sound with midrange character and a warm top end.
- An 8-segment meter clealy displays headroom levels.
Colorful DI Recording
- The Hi-Z direct mode function bypasses the input transformer and input stage and sends the instrument signal directly to the high-pass filter and the selectable saturation and germanium circuits.
- The dedicated 2-megohm Hi-Z instrument input has a separate activation switch, so you can leave your instrument connected all the time.
- Direct mode gain is +14 dB, which is perfect for bass recording together with the Class-A stage. The sweepable 12 dB per octave high-pass filter goes from 30 Hz to 400 Hz for precision crafting of the low end.
Controls
- Hi-Z input: high-impedance instrument input with 2-megohm input impedance
- In: activates the instrument input
- Direct: bypasses the mic input stage and feeds the Hi-Z input stage directly to the HPF
- 48V phantom power switch: with separate LED indicator
- Gain switch in 5 dB steps: -25 to -80 dB, +5 dB to -25 (with -30 dB pad selected)
- Headroom meter: this LED meter is a headroom meter not a VU meter. It is connected before the Output level control to show the internal headroom, even if you have lowered the output level. With the level at maximum, the meter indicates clipping at +25 dB.
- -30 dB: pads the input signal by -30 dB (for best signal to noise ratio, avoid the 30 dB pad if not needed)
- Impedance: switches the mic input impedance (1600/400 ohms)
- Sweepable high-pass filter: 30 to 400 Hz, 12 dB/octave
- Saturation: inserts a saturation stage for extra harmonics after the HPF
- Germanium: inserts a germanium stage after the HPF (for more color, select higher gain and back off a little with the output level control)
- Class-A: engages Class-A Carnhill transformer stage for fat, punchy sound
- Output level control: adjusts the output level after the Class-A stage if inserted
- Polarity switch: flips the output polarity