Tonelux MP5A Discrete Microphone Preamplifier With Tilt Control

The Tonelux MP5A Discrete Microphone Preamplifier With Tilt Control is a single-unit API 500 Series lunchbox-style discrete preamplifier. The device features a combo direct/XLR input for hi-z instruments on the front. The XLR part of the combo input is connected to the XLR and D-sub inputs on the back of the unit. For controls, the preamplifier includes a -20 dB pad switch, a +48 V phantom power switch, and a polarity switch. The pad and polarity switches apply to both the rear XLR and front direct/XLR combo inputs. Gain dials on the front allow you to set the microphone pre-gain using the interior silver knob, and adjust the output gain using the exterior black FDR knob.

For metering, the unit has an 8-segment LED VU meter that follows the balanced output stage of the preamplifier and spans a range from off to +28. The peak level of the VU meter is set to +14 VU or +18 dBu. You can select whether the microphone pre-main output or the microphone pre-gain stage feeds the VU meter via an internal select jumper. The jumper switch makes it possible for the engineer to monitor the actual microphone pre gain or the output level of the entire preamplifier depending upon the application.

The unit's INSERT Returns input is an isolated microphone-level input that can be used to bridge the microphone line with 10x the normal impedance so to minimize loading on the microphone. The device also has the ability to pre-fade listen to the microphone pre output of the preamplifier by sending it to an external amplifier or the mixer/master section of your rack.

The preamplifier features a switchable tilt control knob that works with both the microphone and direct inputs. The tilt control is an EQ that provides 0 to 6 dB of boost in the highs and cuts the low end by up to 6 dB when turned up, or provides 0 to 6 dB of boost in the lows and cuts the high end by up to 6 dB when turned down. For connections, the unit plugs into a 500 Series lunchbox rack which provides built in XLR in, XLR out, and power.