Radial Engineering PreMax 500 Series User Manual - page 4
Radial Engineering Ltd.
PreMax™ Preamp and EQ
True to the Music
®
1
OVERVIEW
The PreMax is a combination preamp and three band equalizer jammed into a single wide
500 series module. By housing both processors together we can optimize the signal path,
maximum performance and minimize fuss. This accelerates setup times and eliminates many
of the challenges that make getting an instrument to sound right.
MIC
INSTRUMENT
LINE
OUTPUT
MIC
PREAMP
3-BAND
EQUALIZER
The Preamp
The design begins with a state-of-the-art microphone preamp coupled with Radial’s unique
Accustate gain control. Unlike traditional preamps that only achieve their optimal signal-to-noise
when pushed to maximum, Accustate employs a dual wafer potentiometer that simultaneously
sets the input sensitivity and preamp gain so that the signal-to-noise ratio remains constant at
all levels. This is particularly important when recording in the digital domain where even the
slightest bit of noise can be audible.
NOISE FLOOR
MINIMUM GAIN - NARROW SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
MAXIMUM GAIN - WIDE SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
Traditional preamp gain
Accustate preamp gain
The preamp is equipped with +48V phantom power for condenser microphones and active
direct boxes, a 180° polarity reverse to help phase align two mics when recording in stereo
and a handy high-pass fi lter that eliminates low frequency rumble to help clean up your tracks.
Visual monitoring is provided by two LEDs that display signal and peak output levels.
MIC
INPUT
OMNIPORT
LINE
OUTPUT
LED
METER
MID
PEAKING
LOW
SHELVING
HIGH
SHELVING
MIC
PREAMP
ACCUSTATE
GAIN
+48
VOLTS
180°
REV
HI-PASS
FILTER
PREAMP
EQUALIZER
When using the PreMax in a Radial 500 series power rack the Omniport is available and
functions as a high-impedance ¼” input for electronic instruments. For more information please
refer to the Omniport description later in this user guide.