SPL GoldMike Mk2 Premium + ADC192

SPL Goldmike Mk2 Premium Dual Channel Microphone and Instrument Preamplifier using lundahl transformer and ADC192

The GoldMike Mk2 premium combines the benefits of Class A transistor amplification with tube amplifier technology.

Class A meets Tube

The GoldMike Mk2 premium is a hybrid preamplifier that combines a discrete transistor stage and tube stage. The preamplifier’s hybrid design combines semiconductor benefits (high dynamics with minimal distortion and noise) with tube sound’s melodic features (pleasant high/overtone spectrum and exquisite three-dimensionality).

The microphone class A transistor preamplifier is built discretely from 16 individual transistors.

The preamplifier has 48 V phantom power, polarity inversion, padding, and a Butterworth Hi-Pass filter.

Instrument

The instrument input is a discrete impedance converter that works in class A mode.

The core is a low-noise field-effect transistor with a very high input resistance, making it excellent for use as an impedance converter.

Insert

A compressor, de-esser, limiter, or even a reverb unit can be toggled between preamp and output.

VU

The VU displays the audio’s “energy” level, and the clip LED warns of clipping. If supplementary AD converters are added, the AD OVL LED will additionally warn of converter overload.

Limiter

The limiter is built on diodes, whose characteristic curve creates a lovely analog saturation effect that unobtrusively restricts signal peaks.

Its speed makes it useful as a peak limiter, intercepting transients in the microsecond range and so providing excellent protection for the AD converter.

Flair

This circuit emphasizes the presence range by combining the coils’ pleasing sound qualities with the tube. It is perfect for increasing the overtone range of vocals and acoustic instruments, strengthening their ability to stand out in the mix.

Tube Amp

The ratio of tube gain to total gain may be adjusted in three steps. The saturation effects and overtones of the tube become increasingly noticeable as the value increases.

Lundahl Transformers

Sonic Aspects

Transformers are utilized instead of electronic balancing stages in the inputs and outputs.

Transformers appear in several audio engineering classics. They round out the bass and fundamental tines, giving them a bit more punch. The high and overtone ranges sound smoother and more prominent.

Transformers are useful, particularly for voices. Electronic stages are better suited for signal transfer with the highest precision and speed (transient processing). The bottom truth is that it is a matter of preference and application.

In the microphone preamplifier

In the case of preamplifiers or channel strips, the 2161 input transformer, which is specifically built for microphone inputs, adds up to 14 dB of gain (depending on the microphone), which must then be added to the scaling.
This relaxes the microphone preamplifier. Because the transformer ratio passively raises the volume, no noise is produced. Therefore, the input transformer is more crucial than the output transformer in preamplifiers.

However, it is only when both transformers are installed that all favorable acoustic characteristics are realized, as well as greater operational dependability.