Single-channel, ultra wide-bandwidth preamp with special ribbon mic mode provides remarkable transparent
audio quality.
In 2000, the Grace Design model 101 microphone preamp helped fuel a revolution. When people took professional
recording into their own hands, it was there with all of the quality and performance of a high-end mic preamplifier, but with
a price that made it available to the masses. Eight years later, and the cause moves forward with the newly redesigned m101
preamp.
Maintaining Grace Design pedigree throughout, the m101 employs balanced, transformerless, transimpedance circuit
topology. With incredible bandwidth and headroom, the m101 is natural, musical and detailed, allowing engineers and musicians
to consistently record vibrant, amazing tracks.
The m101 is equipped with a redesigned universal switching power supply
that's dead quiet and accepts input voltages from 100 to 240V AC. The front panel is a tough black anodized/laser etched black,
which ensures legibility and usability in varying light conditions. And all preamp functions have a dedicated indicator LED,
including the 48V phantom power and HPF switch.
Built in as standard is Grace's unique Ribbon Mic Mode, which bypasses
the input decoupling capacitors, raises the input impedance from 8.1kω to 20kω, and defeats the 48V phantom power,
preventing damage to delicate ribbon mic elements. Ribbon mics, you're welcome.
The gain range is 10-75dB, including
the additional +10dB of gain available with the output trim control. This provides ample gain for use of any type of microphone
in any recording situation. The gain control is a precision gold-plated, 12-position switch, and the circuit path is built
with 0.5% metal film resistors.
Included is a HI-Z input on the front panel. Rear panel I/O options include both balanced
TRS and unbalanced TS 1/4" outputs, along with the standard XLR balanced out and XLR microphone in.
Equally at home
amplifying a vintage condenser mic or a plugged-in acoustic guitar, the m101 delivers the kind of high fidelity performance
previously available only to big budget recording studios and Grammy winning musicians. Add it all up while considering that
the price is unmatched and the picture becomes pretty clear — the m101 is one little hot rod piece of pro audio gear
for everyone from home recording enthusiast to top professional.
Note: For a truly outstanding sound
and value, we suggest using the Grace m1011 with the CAD e300 condenser mic (see (#271261) for amazingly clear and detailed,
yet warm-sounding vocals.
Grace Design M101 Microphone Preamp Features:
- Fast and musical transimpedance architecture
- Updated audio path with 0.5% precision metal film resistors
- New 12 position gold-plated rotary gain switch
- High performance output line driver amplifier and HPF amplifier
- Ribbon mic mode (also great for dynamic mics)- Relay bypass of phantom power decoupling capacitors, increased input impedance,
and 48V lockout
- Wider 10-75dB gain range
- Enhanced RFI interference suppression
- Three output connectors: XLR balanced, TRS balanced and 1/4" unbalanced
- Bombproof laser-etched black anodized front panel
- Sealed gold contact relay for Hi-Z input switching
- Built in power supply / no wall-wart
- Led indicators for +48V, Ribbon mode, and HPF
- Five year warranty on parts and labor
- Made in the USA
From podcast to concert hall, the m101 brings the build quality, refinement, and performance
to revolutionize any recording facility.
Grace Design M101 Microphone Preamp Specifications:
- GAIN RANGE (5dB steps)
- Mic input: 10-65dB
- Hi-Z input: -10-45dB
- Output trim control: 0 to +10dB
THD+N
- @ 20dB Gain +20dBu out: <0.00085%
- @ 40dB Gain +20dBu out: <0.0010%
- @ 60dB Gain +20dBu out: <0.0050%
INTERMODULATION DISTORTION
- @ 40dB Gain +20dBu out
- SMPTE/DIN 4:1 7kHz/50Hz: <0.0020
NOISE - REFERRED TO INPUT
- 50 Ohm source: <-130dB
- 150 Ohm source: <-128dB
- 600 Ohm source: <-124dB
CMRR
- 100Hz: >68dB
- 1kHz: >75dB
- 10kHz: >65dB
PHASE DEVIATION (HPF off)
- 50Hz-25kHz: <6°
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
- Mic input @ 40dB Gain -3dB: 4.5Hz-390kHz
- Mic input @ 40dB Gain -0.5dB: 10.5Hz-140kHz
- Hi-Z input @ 20dB Gain -3dB: 2.5Hz-195kHz
- Hi-Z input @ 20dB Gain -0.5dB: 6Hz-74kHz
IMPEDANCE
- Mic input: 8.1kOHM
- Mic input, Ribbon mode: 20k Ohm
- Hi-Z input (unbalanced): 1M Ohm
- Hi-Z input (balanced): 2M Ohm
- Balanced Output: 300 Ohm
- Balanced Output: 150 Ohm
PEAK LED METER
- Green threshold: -14dBu
- Red threshold: +16dBu
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL
- 100k Ohm load, 0.1% THD: +25dBu
WEIGHT and DIMENSIONS
- 2.4 lb. H1.7" x W8.5" x D9.0"
- 1.09 kg H4.3cm x W21.6cm x D22.8cm
POWER CONSUMPTION
- 100-240V AC: 5 Watts Max