<h2>Studio Projects SPM5 500-Series Preamplifier and DI</h2>
<span style="font-size:16px; font-style:italic;">A unique preamp for API 500 format designed by the man who owned API and Tonelux; Paul Wolff </span><br /><br />
Designed by Paul Wolff, known to the industry as the man who rescued API from Datatronix and founder of Tonelux, the 500-series Studio Projects SPM5 is a unique, high-quality mic/DI preamp. Like all things that come “from the mind of Paul Wolff,” the SPM5 has something special; a feature called “Radiance,” which provides clarity and presence to your sound source without boosting overall output levels. The SPM5 provides clean, low-noise gain up to 60dB, and if you’re testing mics on the fly, the SPM5 also has a convenient front-panel combo jack that lets you plug in a mic or instrument directly. With Studio Projects’ very affordable 500-series SPM5 you can fill your power rack with preamps from the man who designed some of API’s greatest modern hits and the entire stellar line of Tonelux—in fact, there’s no reason not have at least two SPM5 preamps.      <br /><br />
<h3>Studio Projects SPM5 500-Series Preamp/DI unique features:</h3>
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	<li>Radiance control adds 2nd-order harmonics for clarity and presence without volume boost</li>
</ul>
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<h3>Studio Projects SPM5 500-Series Preamplifier key features:</h3>
<ul>
	<li>70dB total gain; 3dB - 60dB input; 10dB output      </li>
	<li>LED meter can read pre or output gain via PCB jumper</li>
	<li>Impedance switch                                    </li>
	<li>70Hz high-pass (bass cut) filter                    </li>
	<li>Front-panel XLR/1/4" combo jack                     </li>
	<li>48V phantom power                                   </li>
	<li>Polarity reverse                                    </li>
	<li>Mic/Line input switch                               </li>
	<li>500-series format                                   </li>
</ul><br />
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		<a href="http://rsperackrevolution.com/" target="_blank"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
		<img src="http://www.rspeaudio.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/rackrevolution-small.png" alt="" align="" border="0px" /></a>
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		Don’t forget to check out 
		<a href="http://rsperackrevolution.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">RSPE’s Rack Revolution</a>, a virtual 500-series rack builder that lets you custom-configure the perfect 500-series lunchbox for your studio, DAW, or mobile recording rig. RSPE carries every 500-series module imaginable, including mic preamps, compressor-limiters, equalizers, and 500 power racks.
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<h3>INSIDE THE BOX — Studio Projects SPM5 500-Series Preamp/DI</h3>
The Studio Projects SPM5 preamp/DI has discrete input circuitry and a transformer-balanced output (the same TX-100 custom transformer found in the Tonelux MP5A preamp). Plus, the SPM5 also has an impedance switch, which can come in very handy with ribbon and dynamic microphones. Along with the usual suspects found on a preamp, the SPM5 features a unique Radiance control, which is an adjustable high-frequency control that adds, 2nd-order harmonics to you signal without raising overall output levels. The Radiance control is very handy for adding clarity and presence without the harshness or phase shift that can come with boosting high-frequency EQ. 
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The SPM5 front panel features a combo jack that can be used with either an XLR or ¼" cable and a switch for mic or instrument use. This is also a very handy feature if you’re swapping or testing mics to find the right one for the job at hand. <br /><br />
Studio Projects also paid special attention to the SPM5’s gain control. While the gain control of many preamps is uneven, often with the last 40dB to 60dB of the range being crammed into the last 1/16th of a turn, the SPM5 uses a specially designed control circuitry that ensures smooth operation over the entire range of rotation, with extra sensitivity in the critical 25dB to 45dB range.  <br /><br />
The SPM5’s polarity switch can correct for the wiring of older, non-AES equipment, change the character of the sound from guitar mics, and when using two mics for M-S stereo recording, invert the phase of one of them.<br /><br />
The SPM5’s high-pass filter helps to remove stage rumble, handling noise, and low-frequency resonances. The cut frequencies are continuously variable from 25Hz to 200Hz. The HPF “on” switch lets you make comparisons between filtered and unfiltered sound. <br /><br />
All preamplifiers exhibit some noise due to the electronics they require, which is not a problem as long as the noise is low compared to the sound source. The SPM5’s electronics are extremely quiet, such that any noise you may perceive is almost entirely due to the source impedance of the microphone.<br /><br />
<h3>OUTSIDE THE BOX — Studio Projects SPM5 500-Series Preamp/DI</h3>
The Studio Projects SPM5 has the following controls and functions:
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<strong>Gain:</strong> This is where it all happens. Use this control to set the appropriate gain for your source, be it mic or instrument. Use the LED meter and your ears to adjust the amount of gain desired.<br /><br />
<strong>LED Meter:</strong> A jumper setting on the PCB determines pre or output gain. <br /><br />
<strong>Output:</strong> This as akin to a fader on a console. Once you have your preamp gain properly set, use this control to determine the overall output level of the SPM5.<br /><br />
<strong>70Hz:</strong> High-pass, or bass-cut filter. Use this to roll off extraneous low frequencies.<br /><br />
<strong>POL:</strong> This switch reverses the polarity of the microphone signal. It can correct for older, non-AES equipment; change the character of the sound from guitar mics; and switch polarity of one mic when using two mic for Mid-Side stereo recording.<br /><br />
<strong>IMP:</strong> This switch determines the input impedance your mic sees and is included on the SPM5 to handle ribbon mics. Leave it disengaged for condensers. (Try it on ribbons and dynamic mics.) <br /><br />
<strong>Radiance:</strong> This control adds a layer of high frequency, 2nd-order harmonic distortion to the pre, allowing you to add a shimmering “satin” high end. Use Radiance to add clarity and presence without boosting the overall recording level. <br /><br />
<strong>48V:</strong> Supplies phantom power for the circuitry of an active mic, such as a condenser. <br /><br />
<strong>INST:</strong> Engage this switch if you are plugging in a line-level signal or instrument, such as guitar or bass into the SPM5<br /><br />
<strong>MIC/INST:</strong> A combo jack that can be used with XLR or ¼" cable as needed  <br /><br /><br /><br />
<h3>About SPM5 designer, Paul Wolff </h3>
Paul Wolff has been designing professional audio equipment since 1975. His designs span from console designs to small custom products of all sorts. He has owned several manufacturing companies. Periods between company ownership were spent working with the new owners of each company.  Currently, Paul is designing audio and mechanical products for several of the top audio companies in the world.  Paul just received a trademark for "From the Mind of Paul Wolff", which he uses on all his designs.
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API was a multi-million dollar company that made recording consoles and was at the forefront of recording and broadcasting. The company went out of business in 1978 and was taken over by Datatronix. Wolff purchased the assets after leaving the company in 1985. During the years that followed, Mr. Wolff introduced the first of many new API products: the 5502 rackmount EQ, the 550B EQ, the 3124 preamp, and the 512b mic pre.<br /><br />
Seeing a major shift in the recording industry, Mr. Wolff left the company in 2004 and formed Tonelux Designs Limited. The concept of the Tonelux product line was geared towards the “new studio model”, where so much more of the production work is being done in the Workstation, and the requirement for a large frame console is not as necessary as it had been in the past.  Wolff also came up with the ShadowMix automation system that followed the HUI control protocol and ran motorized faders with the audio passing through them.<br /><br />
The company did very well for the next 4 years and was sold to the PMI AUDIO GROUP in Gardena, CA. Mr. Wolff stays on to continue the development of the Tonelux product line.<br /><br />
<h3>About Studio Projects</h3>
Based in Gardena, California, Studio Projects is a line of microphones and electronics started in 1999 by Alan Hyatt of PMI Audio Group. Studio Projects’ line of award winning microphones, preamps, and signal processing equipment is a result of a partnership between PMI Audio and Beijing 797 Audio Co. LTD, a manufacturer of condenser microphones and professional audio products since 1952.
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Within the line, there is a broad and evolving range of tools designed to provide the engineer and recordist with a level of sonic quality and durability. Studio Projects continues to prove that innovative designs and years of experience produce quality products that fit well in all professional and home applications.  Studio Projects microphones are designed by engineer Brent Casey.<br /><br />
<h3>With the respectable pedigree of its designer, Paul Wolff, and the affordability of Studio Projects, the SPM5 can give you a 500 rack full of preamps that rival the performance of any 500-series preamp at half the price. For more information, call or chat with an RSPE representative today. </h3>
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