Mercury M72s/1 MKIV Valve Studio Microphone Amplifier (1CH. MONO)
The new Mercury M72s [Mk. IV] is our flagship, valve Studio Microphone Amplifier. The M72s is based on the most sought after vintage amplifier module—the Telefunken/Siemens V72s—which is most famous for being installed in REDD.37 consoles, used on all the early Beatles recordings by George Martin at Abbey Road Studios in London, England.
The Gain of the Mercury M72s is variable from 28dB to 58dB, in 3dB increments, controlled with a high quality rotary switch. Also, there is an option of a selectable Input Pad of -16dB or -28dB for even more control. Additionally, when the -28dB pad is engaged and it is set at the lowest gain setting (28dB) you can run signal through the M72s to add warmth and tonality to any tracks, mixes, keyboards, drum machines, samples etc… There are also all the modern features we expect on a new piece of equipment: Phantom Power (on/off) , Phase (Polarity) Reversal, and our amazing sounding FDI (FET Direct Input) circuit per channel.
The Mercury FDI (FET Direct Input) is a proprietary J-Fet circuit, based on a class-A tube topology. The Mercury FDI is designed to reproduce every nuance of a direct recording, while the circuit lets the tube or solid-state character of the amplifier determine the overall tone. The instrument DI signal is sent through the entire microphone preamp circuitry, including Mercury’s custom, massive input transformers, so that the individual character of each preamp comes through.
The Mercury M72s has the rich lows and punchy mids giving you that ‘instant’ vocal tone, or assisting with a realistic acoustic guitar tone, punch to bass guitar. The same reaction to instruments or source as the vintage module but with slightly more open high end and openness. The Mercury M72s Studio Microphone Amplifier has that “vintage” tone and break up like the original circuit but it is a bit more musical over all (not cleaner, but more musical—there is a huge difference).
Tone
The Mercury M72s is warm and punchy. The M72s has a thick bottom end, a great push in the mid range and a open airy top end. The M72s performance is great on vocals, bass, drums, acoustic and electric guitars as well as room and overhead applications.
Gain
The M72s has 28dB to 58dB with -16 and -28dB input pad
Specifications
Mic Input Impedance:Â Â Approx. 2k
Suggested Source Impedance:Â Â Approx. 200 ohms
Input Impedance with -28dB Pad:Â Â Approx. 4k
DI Input Impedance:Â Â 2M ohms
Internal Output Impedance:Â Â 30-50 ohms (depends on gain setting)
Suggested Minimum Load:Â Â 500 ohms
Max. Mic Signal Input Level (@ 20 Hz):Â Â +34dBu with -28dB Pad engaged / +6dBu with Pad not engaged
Max. Output Level:Â Â +22dBu
Frequency Response:Â Â 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.5dB
Harmonic Distortion:Â Â All musically related low orders of harmonics, with no significant order above 5th. **