Studer Shows D19 MicVALVE Tube Mic/Line Preamp
July 11, 1997
Studer engineers have been working with high-quality vacuum tubes since the company's beginnings nearly 50 years ago, and as a result have an excellent knowledge of how to achieve the "tube sound." Using the latest technology, Studer has been able to create the "warmth" and other unique features of tube sound, in the new D19 MicVALVE. The MicVALVE system is a unique 2-channel mic/line preamp with what Studer engineers call a "Valve Dignifier" tube stage in addition to full 20-bit A/D conversion. The tube sound circuitry can be switched into the signal path to provide a number of controls for precise signal treatment.
The D19 MicVALVE is the latest in Studer's expanding range of D19 Series preamps with 20-bit digital conversion. The initial D19 Series product, the 8-channel MicAD system introduced earlier, has already drawn a great deal of attention in the broadcast and recording studio markets.
Unlike other "tube sound" systems on the market, the MicVALVE offers control over a number of individual tube characteristics, avoiding the limitations of being able to emulate just one type of tube effect. "Most other designs are just one particular tube preamp and nothing more," said Joe Bean, General Manager for Studer in the USA. "Our new MicVALVE can be individually tuned to create a variety of sounds as it provides the amount of tube sound control many engineers have dreamed about."
The MicVALVE system also offers switchable analog inserts and analog line outputs, selectable insert points for pre/post valve stage and an AES/EBU output fed by a high-performance 20-bit A/D converter with selectable DSP noise shaping. Optionally, digital outputs to ADATTM or TDIFTM are available, including individual channel I/O routing.
In addition to an easy-to-read LED display, the MicVALVE's mic input features 48V switchable Phantom powering, a highpass filter and phase reversal switch. The rear panel houses separate XLR's for the transformer balanced mic and line inputs, the two XLR pairs for the balanced analog inserts, and the line outputs.
The D19 MicVALVE was developed for a wide variety of applications including direct digital recording, stereo mastering, and general recording studio, broadcast and post-production applications.
Studer, Harman Pro North America
449 Donelson Pike
Nashville, TN 37217
Tel: 615/399-2199
Fax: 615/367-9046. For more information, visit their web site at www.studer.ch. | 
