Radial Engineering PowerPre 500

The Radial PowerPre™ is a high performance microphone preamplifier designed to be used with the Radial Workhorse and other 500 series modular racks. It features 100% discrete components for optimal signal transfer and employs a 'vintage' Hammond broadcast output transformer for warmth and exceptionally smooth tone.

The design begins with a front mounted XLR for instant connectivity plus a recessed 48V phantom power switch for safety. Unlike most mic preamps that require careful gain adjustment to avoid troublesome noise, the PowerPre is equipped with the newly developed AccuState™ input stage that automatically optimizes signal-to-noise at all levels with up to 55dB of gain. This is supported with a full 10 segment LED meter for precise signal monitoring.

To add extra character; a 3-position Vox control lets you set the PowerPre to 'breath' for added high frequency air such as when accentuating a vocal track or adding harmonic content to an acoustic guitar. The 'punch' setting adds body when recording electric guitar or can be used to fatten a voice. When set to linear, the PowerPre delivers a truly natural rendering for orchestral recording that will suit the most demanding purist. This is augmented with a gentle high-pass filter that helps control low end resonance when layering acoustic instruments.

Ultra quiet, low noise and exceptionally warm sounding... the PowerPre makes spectacular audio easy.

• 100% discrete class-A instrument and mic preamp

• Feed forward front-end, void of negative feedback

• AccuState gain control for low noise at all levels

• Variable low frequency cut for acoustic instruments

Microphone Input

• Circuit type : 100% discrete, transformer coupled output

• Microphone Input : Accustate input fully variable gain control

• Current draw : 130mA (maximum draw)

• Frequency response : 20Hz ~ 20KHz +0/-1dB

• Input Impedance : 2.2k (1.5k with pad)

• Mic preamp gain : +55dB

• Maximum gain : +70dB when used with Workhorse*

• Maximum output : +22dBu

• Output impedance : 75O @ 1kHz

• Output type : Transformer isolated

• Common mode rejection (CMRR) : >75dB

• Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) : -122dBu @ maximum gain

• Dynamic range : >97dB

• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD+N) : 0.03% @ mid gain with +10dBu output

• Intermodulation distortion (IMD) : 0.012% @ 50dB gain with +10dBu output

Instrument Input

• Omniport input Impedance : 150k, unbalanced*

• Instrument preamp gain : +55dB, unbalanced*

• Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) : -95dBu, unbalanced*

• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD+N) : 0.05% @ mid gain with +10dB output

Control Panel

• Meter : 10 segment peak indicator with hold

• Pad : -15dB

• Polarity : Inverts pins 2 and 3 at XLR input*

• High-pass filter : 150Hz cut off, -3dB @ 100Hz

• Vox Control : 3 position preset EQ

• Phantom power : 48VDC - 10mA (as supplied by 500 frame)

• XLR configuration : AES spec: pin-1 ground, pin-2 (+), pin-3 (-)

• Ground lift (rear panel) : Lifts ground on front panel XLR input only

Mechanical

• Weight : 1.5lbs (0.7Kg)

• Shipping size : 9 x 6.5 x 2 (inches)

• Compliance (API) : Yes

• Compliance (WHOS-Doc) : Yes

• Conditions : For use in dry locations only between 5C and 40C