Changing tone of a mic preamp

GroupDIY Audio Forum

Help Support GroupDIY Audio Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

ChrioN

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Messages
1,235
Location
Gothenburg, Earth
What can one do to change the sound of a transformer balanced in/out mic preamp?
By changing the tone I mean "add" distortion or change frequency response.
Variable impedance? Change loading of transformers?
:?:
 
"Distortion" is a simple word, meaning many things, few of which are simple. -You haven't really given anyone enough to go on.

Variable impedance? --Sure. Try it.

Loading of transformers? -Sure, try it.

If you're looking for a blanket answer, you probably won't get one that's very accurate, the only answer is... -guess what... "Try it".

Keith
 
While some purists (like me) might not approve, you can change the sound character of passive microphones by altering the termination impedance either higher or lower than expected nominal terminations. Active microphones will often have flat resistive source impedance so be less affected by termination impedance, but in the extremes some differences there may be audible too.

Transformers prefer to be driven from low source impedance and properly terminated to deliver target bandpass. Output transformers offer more flexibility in this regard but some again may not embrace increasing transformer distortion.

Have fun... perhaps add a switch so you can easily compare before and after.


JR
 
[quote author="emrr"]you basically just asked to become a preamp designer. get crackin'![/quote]

Haha. Thats so newbieish of me, I'm sorry...
I just had to ask though :green: Thanks for the replies.
 
[quote author="JohnRoberts"].... While some purists (like me) might not approve, you can change the sound character of passive microphones by altering the termination impedance either higher or lower than expected nominal terminations ....[/quote]
Even more useful when loading passive guitar/bass pickups.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top