EAW Microwedge, Audix OM7, Ultimate XLR Cable Tester, Pro Audio: Joemeek SixQ Mic-Pre British Channel Strip

Joe Meek SixQ studio Channel w/ Free JM37 Mic!

The Joemeek sixQ packs a wealth of features into a single rack space studio channel.

A single channel mic pre, based on our high quality Burr-Brown IC, three bands of highly musical EQ and our signature optical compressor make for a highly capable recording instrument. A front panel instrument input lets you plug your favorite guitar or keyboard straight in. Output either analog, or digitally directly to your sound card or DAW, for a warm, musical analog sound - just what you've been looking for!

Think of the sixQ as four separate pieces of equipment:

A preamplifier
A Joemeek optical compressor
An equalizer
A fader

Features:

Ultra Clean Microphone Preamplifier w/Iron (switches to transformer coupling)
Highly Musical Three Band EQ W/Sweep LF & MF, Selectable HF (6k & 12k)
Full Featured Optical Compressor W/Settings from "Silk" to "In Your Face!"
Accurate LED Metering for quick monitoring of level & gain reduction
24-Bit/96k Analog - Digital convertors w/ Optical & S/PDIF
Balanced & Unbalanced I/O for proper interface with any system
Front Panel Instrument input to use as a DI during sessions
Intuitive Panel Layout for 'transparent' use while recording

Specifications:

Input impedances:

Mic: 1.2kohm; Line: 20kohm; Instrument: 2Mohm

Pre-amp overall gain:

10dB to 60dB (variable)

Common mode rejection:

70dB

Equivalent input noise:

-128.5dBu (unweighted)

Distortion:

0.001% (below Compressor threshold)

Frequency response:

15Hz to 70kHz (-3dB)

Maximum input before clipping:

Mic: +21dBu; Line: +45dBu; Instrument: +21dBu

Headroom before clipping:

+21dBu

High Pass Filter:

12dB per octave cut below 80Hz

Compressor threshold:

+∞dBu to -20dBu (variable)

Compressor ratio:

1:1 to 10:1 (variable)

Compressor attack time:

1 msec to 100 msec (adaptive)

Compressor release time:

0.1 sec to 3 sec (adaptive)

Compressor Make Up Gain:

0dB to 20dB (variable)

EQ Boost & Cut:

+/-15dB (zero phase-shift bell response)

LF Frequency:

40Hz to 650Hz (variable)

Mid Frequency:

300Hz to 5kHz (variable)

HF Frequency:

6kHz/12kHz (selectable)

EQ “Q”:

0.9 (1.6 octaves)

Output Gain:

-∞dBu to +10dBu (variable)

Nominal output levels:

+4dBu/-10dBv (selectable)

Output impedance:

75ohm

Output Level switch:

12dB attenuation

Noise Floor:

-85dBu (typical, with ~40dB mic gain)

VU Meter:

8 segment bargraph

Power supply:

115V / 230V ac mains, 50/60Hz

Power consumption:

30W

Mechanical:

482W x 44H x 220D (overall)

Weight:

2 kilos

Digital Interface

The Joemeek Digital Audio Interface provides high quality digital audio outputs, compatible with most digital recorders, as well as Digital Audio Workstations and digital mixers. S/PDIF format is available from both the optical and the RCA phono connectors.

The Joemeek Digital Interface has highly stable onboard master clocks for low-jitter, hi-fi results. Internal sample rates of 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz or 96kHz are selected by means of rear panel switches. 44.1kHz is the standard used for audio CD's, while 48kHz and 96kHz are widely used in recording studios. In general, the higher the sample rate, the better the audio fidelity, but the more disk space is required for the recording. For example, recording at 96kHz requires twice as much storage as 48kHz. Consult the manual of your recorder or DAW as to what sample rates it will accommodate.

To avoid distortion, care should be taken not to overdrive the input to the Digital Interface. The red LED at the top of the VU bargraph meter is labeled "PEAK FSD" which stands for "Full Scale Digital". Occasional flashes are OK but if it is on all the time, turn something down!

Digital Interface Specifications

Sampling:	24 Bit
Sampling Rate:	44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz or 96kHz (selectable)
Output Formats:	S/PDIF electrical, S/PDIF optical

JM37 Microphone

The JM37 is a high quality, large diaphragm condenser microphone with a fixed Cardioid pattern. WE chose FET devices for both preamplifier and output stages, resulting in a mic that exhibits very pleasing audio qualities.

The capsule is manufactured in the classic "concentric electrode" design, providing smooth extended frequency response. We further enhanced the audio quality by using dynamic feedback at the capacitor element. This technique eliminates distortions, which can occur at high SPL.

The large 1.035" diaphragm is made from micro-fine Mylar and is gold sputtered. The microphone body is machined from brass, with audio connection via a balanced 3-pin XLR connector. Power is supplied via Phantom Power from either your console or microphone preamplifier.

You'll find that the JM37 is an excellent choice for male and female vocals, as well as acoustic guitar and other instruments.

- Noise Level: 19dB (A weighted)

- Frequency response: substantially flat 25Hz to 20KHz

- Sensitivity: 16mV/PA-40+/-2dB (0dB= 1V/Pa 1000Hz)

- Recommended load impedance: 200 ohm

- Max SPL: 128dB

- Power Requirement: 48V