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<h1>Empirical Labs EL9 Mike-E</h1>
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">Mike-E is the ultimate solution for getting a clean and strong, yet warm and musical signal into the box<br /></span><br />Empirical Labs set out to build a microphone preamp, you can be sure it’ll deliver spectacular sound, be effortless to work, and will provide features unlike any other device in its class. To that end, we proudly present Mike-E, a high performance transformer-coupled mic preamp with a noise floor far below any microphone’s self noise, combined with a one-of-a-kind compressor/saturator circuit that delivers classic knee compression as well as versatile tonal ‘coloring’ that can replicate many of the best characteristics of vintage analog recording equipment. In today’s modern age of digital recorders, DAWs and software plug-ins,…and it couldn't be easier to work – its front panel layout is so straight ahead that even inexperienced engineers will have no problem moving around on it right away.<br /><br /><b>MIC PREAMP</b><br /><br />This is a super low noise transformer input amplifier section with the gain under precise digital control. The signal to noise far exceeds any microphone in existence. Having used many mic preamps over the years, we’ve implemented a unique stepped gain control that should be impervious to the normal flakiness that age causes to pots and detented switches.  A “Bad!” LED indicates when the input signal is overloading the circuit.<br /><br /><b>COMPSAT™</b><br /><br />The CompSat's unique circuitry sets the Mike-E apart from all other mic preamps.<br /><br />SATURATOR -  a multi stage soft-clipping circuit. At lower levels, a triode-type saturation affects the signal. As the level increases, a second unique clip circuit starts to more severely flatten out the peaks.<br /><br />COMPRESSOR - based on ELI’s world famous Distressor, but with other characteristics (including a much longer attack time).  Preset ratios include: 2:1, 4:1, 8:1…and, of course, Nuke.<br /><br />EMPHASIS - a two-stage circuit that boosts and soft clips high frequencies before the CompSat™ circuit, and then cuts the frequencies after it. Emphasis has the added perk of improving signal to noise, and is the reason analog tape decks used emphasis to begin with.<br /><br />MIX - provides “parallel compression” technique achieved by mixing between the compressed and the dry (or uncompressed) signal. This can often help maintain transients and a sense of dynamic range while enhancing the low level nuances.<br /><br />Other features include a front panel instrument input that allows the unit to function as an ultra-clean Direct Box and stereo-linking capabilities. Mike-E can also be combined with an EQ (such as the ELI Lil FrEQ), transforming it into one of the most powerful, flexible and complete channel strips on the market.<br /><br /></span><span id="product_description" itemprop="description"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Features</span><br /><br />
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		<li>Six digitally controlled sections of analog processing</li>
		<li>Frequency response - 3 Hz to 180 kHz on eq section (-3dB points).</li>
		<li>Dynamic range - 120 dB from maximum output (.5%THD soft   clipping) to </li>
		<li>minimum output.   Noise floor with Mix on 0 is typically   – 91dBu.</li>
		<li>Distortion range - between .0006% and 10% at 1KHz, depending   on mode </li>
		<li>and settings.</li>
		<li>Maximum Input before hard clipping - +22dBm,  “ Line In” mode.   Maximum</li>
		<li> Output (Mix at 0) - +28.5dBm</li>
		<li>Compressor Dynamics Time Constants - Attack time is around 1mS.  Release</li>
		<li> .2 sec, fixed internally. Stereo Linkable for stereo tracks.  With the </li>
		<li>EL500 powered rack, the push of a button enables linking.</li>
		<li>Input Impedance - 120k Ohm, Instrument In Mode, output impedance is less</li>
		<li> than 75 ohms.  20K input impedance in balanced Line in mode.</li>
		<li>Guitar adaptor cable included</li>
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	<br /><a href="http://rsperackrevolution.com/" target="_blank"><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>The sound and 
unique features of the Empirical Labs Distressor have made it a staple 
for audio engineers all over the world. For more information, call or 
chat with an RSPE representative today.
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