Description
Ultra High Performance 500 Series Microphone Preamplifier
Product Features
- Ultra high performance microphone/line/DI preamplifier offers you outstanding signal integrity
- Significantly upgraded version of the award-winning Midas mic amp design gives you the best preamp ever in our 40-year history
- Ultra-low noise octal discrete input transistors provide incredible sonic flexibility and exceptional dynamic control
- Legendary Midas input allows up to +24 dBu signal levels with no pad and gives you our signature soft-clip coloration on overload
- Unique "Warm" feature reconfigures the input stage with a premium input transformer for lower input impedance and authentic vintage sound
- Separate high-performance DI input through secondary rack connector and easy-access front panel switch let you effortlessly change between mic and instrument
- Twin circular 31-segment meters with precision full wave rectifiers for unprecedented visibility into your input and output levels for the ultimate signal monitoring experience
- Stunning looks feature a distinctive fusion of vintage and modern design with anodized fascia, metal controls and 4 genuine gold-plated rings for class-leading style
- Separate discrete transformer and electronically balanced outputs provide a splitter function and give you a choice of sonic character
- High-accuracy Mil-Spec rotary switch gain and output gain trim controls give you a phenomenal combined mic input gain range of -20 dB to +80 dB
- Fully variable high- and low-pass wide spectrum filters with independent selection switches let you perfectly sculpt the frequency spectrum to your exact preference
- Front-panel toggle switches for easy-to-use control over input select, filters, +48 V, polarity, output mute and "Warm" mode
- Protective auto-mute feature guards against accidental unwanted noise from input switching in live and studio applications
- Premium quality components throughout, including high-end op-amps, micro melf resistors and discrete FET's, provide you with the highest form of signal integrity
- Designed and engineered in the U.K.
500 SERIES MICROPHONE PREAMPLIFIER 501
In response to the many customer requests received over the years, the award-winning MIDAS Microphone Preamp is now available as an addon to any mobile or recording system. When used in conjunction with the LEGEND L10 or L6 500 Series Rackmount Chassis, the MICROPHONE PREAMPLIFIER 501 provides the ideal solution for users seeking the legendary MIDAS sound in a highly-flexible, modular format that boasts significantly-upgraded, premium-quality performance. Additionally, the 501 features a separate robust DI input (through secondary rack connector) with a convenient front panel switch that lets you change effortlessly between mic and instrument inputs.
Award-Winning Mic Preamp
The MIDAS Microphone Preamplifier is considered by leading live sound and recording engineers as the very essence of the famous MIDAS sound. Decades of design experience paired with premiumgrade components is the foundation of that acclaimed warmth and depth, which brings out subtle ambience, maintains spatial positioning, and more effectively captures a precise sound image. That warm and organic MIDAS sound has been heard by millions of concert goers – and recorded for posterity on countless live albums.
Sweet Forgiveness
Over the years, many mix engineers have found this robust and overload-tolerant preamp design takes on a whole new dimension when driven hard. The 501 module’s input stage allows up to +24 dBu signal levels with no pad requirement, while featuring the much-loved soft clipping characteristic that provides crystal-clear audiophile reproduction – with just the right amount of harmonics.
More Warmth
The 501’s input is electronically balanced, which provides a very clean signal – even at extremely high signal levels. However, engaging the Warm toggle switch inserts a premium-quality balanced input transformer in front of the preamp. This not only adds the benefits of galvanic isolation to the mic input, but also lowers the input impedance from 10 kΩ to 1.5 kΩ for a more vintage setup and sound. A switchable DI (Direct Injection) input is also provided for connecting instrument level signals without requiring any additional hardware.
Dual Balanced Outputs
The default output of the 501 module is its discrete transistor-driven premium transformer output and provides all the benefits of galvanic isolation. Output 2 utilises an enhanced version of the electronically balanced output drivers found in most MIDAS mixing consoles.
Precision LED I/O Metering
A mic preamp of this calibre requires equally impressive I/O metering – and the 501 delivers in a big way. The high precision 31-segment rotary LED meter reads the signal post amplifi er/pre fi lter, providing input metering from -20 dBu to + 20 dBu in 1 and 2 dB steps. A similar meter is provided for output trim adjustment from -20 dBu to + 20 dBu in 1 and 2 dB steps.
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
Refund Policy
Exchange & Refund Policy
Thank you for shopping at Fastrak online. If you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, we're here to help.
Returns
We accept returns. You can return items that are still in a saleable condition or unopened items in the original packaging within 7 days of your purchase with a receipt or proof of purchase. If 7 days or more have passed since your purchase, we cannot offer you a refund or an exchange.
Upon receipt of the returned item, we will fully examine it and notify you via email, within a reasonable period, whether you are entitled to a return.
Please note that online and in-store sales are handled separately. If you purchased from one of our stores, please contact the store directly. Get store details here: Fastrak Store Info.
To follow up on the status of your online purchase return/exchange, please contact us at online@fastrak.co.za.
Once we receive your item, we will inspect it and notify you that we have received your returned item. We will immediately notify you of the status of your refund/exchange after inspecting the item.
If your return/exchange is approved, we will initiate a refund to your credit card (or original method of payment) or make arrangements for the replacement item to be shipped to you. In the event of a refund, you will receive the credit within a certain amount of days, depending on your card issuer's policies.
Fastrak will charge a 5% fee on any credit card reversals done if a refund or partial refund is required.
Warranty on Products
All of our goods also carry a manufacturers’ warranty (12 Months) where applicable, which will run concurrently with any warranty in terms of the law.
Under no circumstances will we accept returned goods that have been damaged due to the customer’s negligence, the goods have been disassembled, permanently installed, physically altered, used or installed contrary to our or the manufacturer’s instructions and/or have been subjected to misuse or abuse.
Any items needing to be returned for repairs or warranties need to be returned at the client’s expense. Returned goods need to be inspected by trained technical staff before a decision is made as to how the return will be handled. Items cannot simply be exchanged before this procedure has been followed and fault has been identified.
No repairs will take place until it has been confirmed whether the product is to be repaired under warranty or at the client’s expense.
The client agrees that Fastrak is not held responsible for time delays that result from reports coming from the agents who hold the warranties. Until the client accepts the quote and gives the go-ahead, no repairs will commence. The client and Fastrak agree that the agent's report is final in this matter and that that report will be considered as the matter being closed. Any costs incurred during this process will be passed onto the client unless the warranty is active.
Any and all repairs done under warranty or at the client’s expense will only be guaranteed for 3 months unless a new and different issue has been found.
There is no warranty on passive speakers, burnt/blown woofers, or tweeters.
Warranty is only valid if there is no evidence of misuse or tempering on the unit.
Refunds (if applicable)
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If your refund is approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days.
Late or missing refunds (if applicable)
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted. Next, contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at online@fastrak.co.za
Sale items (if applicable)
Only regular-priced items may be refunded, unfortunately, sale items cannot be refunded.
Exchanges (if applicable)
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at online@fastrak.co.za to log your request for exchange.
You will receive an e-mail or phone call regarding your exchange. The item should then be sent via courier to our warehouse.
Please note that online and in-store sales are handled separately. If you purchased from one of our stores, please contact the store directly. Get store details here: Fastrak Store Info.
Shipping on exchanges
To return your product, you should courier your product to Fastrak Trading 650 Pty Ltd, Unit E, 300 Elgin Road, Pomona, Kempton Park, 1618.
Additional shipping costs will be charged to the customer if the item is not under warranty.
Customers wishing to return items will need to do so on their own accord.
Shipping costs are non-refundable and will be deducted from the original amount paid if your refund/exchange is approved. In even that Fastrak could not fulfil the order and no shipping was initiated, you will receive a full refund of the original amount paid.
Store Returns/Refunds & Exchanges:
Please Contact the Store Directly
Get store details here: Fastrak Store Info.
Online Returns/Refunds & Exchanges:
Contact: 012 803 0333 or e-mail us at online@fastrak.co.za
