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Phoenix Audio DRS-1 Mono Mic Pre / DI  From Phoenix

Mono Mic Pre and Instrument Direct Interface.

Phoenix Audio

What We Think

The DRS-1 offers a huge range of inspiring tones ranging from warm and saturated to clean and clear, all at a great price. The build quality is outstanding which, combined with it's relatively compact size, makes it the perfect preamp to take on the road or out to live recording gigs as your singular high-quality preamp.
 
About the Phoenix Audio Preamp:
 
I feel like there are so many pieces of gear out there described as a “desert island _____”, which is why I tried to stray far away from the phrase when coming up with an accurate description for the Phoenix Audio preamp. That said, there’s really no better phrase to describe it - so what the hell - IT’S THE DESERT ISLAND PREAMP!
 
The Phoenix Audio preamp shares some lineage with the vintage Neve 1073, but it’s far from just another clone - think of it as being more of a modern twist on that classic design. While featuring a transformerless input, the source of the Phoenix’s tone comes from its transformer balanced output stage which adds color, roundness, and additional depth when driven. After using the Phoenix on just about every studio application we could think of, there wasn’t a single case where it’s color didn’t enhance the source material in a positive way. For examples be sure to check out the 50+ videos we’ve shot using the Phoenix to get outstanding results on everything from jazzy female vocals to drums and a Rhodes keyboard to acoustic and electric guitars to country male vocals. 
 
Additionally because of it’s dual gain control of both the input and output stage, if your recording application doesn’t require additional coloration there’s plenty of clean gain on the input to allow your output stage (color control) to be set very low, resulting in a cleaner and more pristine image of the instrument. Of course there’s a tremendous middle-ground on it’s color spectrum, which is why it’s so flexible. One final tonal option is to drive the transformerless input to the point of distortion, producing a more heavy-handed crunchy distortion that can be perfect for an effect heavy section or instrument. Again, the tonal possibilities with this preamp are gigantic.
 
Phoenix has gone to great lengths to ensure that all of their preamp models provide an identical sound to one another, so regardless of if you go with the 8 Channel DRS-8, the DRS-Q4M (pre with EQ) or DRS-1 (single channel pre), 2 Channel DRS-Q4 (stereo pre with EQ), or even the 500 Series DRS-1R you’ll be getting 100% of Phoenix’s unique and exciting tone. Every model comes standard with a practical feature set all great preamps should have, including a hi-pass filter and phase reverse - the DRS-8 and DRS-1R also include "Mute" buttons. It can also accept line level signals for warming up previously recorded instrument tracks or even running a stereo bus through for added analog punch and coloration.
 
As mentioned, the Phoenix preamp shares lineage with the venerable Neve 1073 however it’s not a clone, so if you’re specifically after that tone we would recommend the Vintech X73i or 573. If you’re looking for an incredibly flexible solid state preamp with a rich and inspiring tone at an excellent price, look no further than the Phoenix Audio preamp line.

LDC Vocal Mic Shootout: Neumann U87Ai, Neumann U47 FET, Bock Audio iFET & Soyuz SU-019 LDC FET

In this video we present an LDC vocal microphone shootout using the Neumann U87Ai, the Neumann U47 FET, the Bock iFET and the Soyuz SU-019. Can you tell which one's which? If you are interested in hearing the results and/or getting ahold of the audio files from this shootout, give us a shout, we'd love to hear from you!

Manufacturer's Description from Phoenix

Following on from the huge success of the DRS-2, 2 – channel microphone pre-amplifier/DI, Phoenix Audio have released the single channel, half rack-width, mono Pre/DI.The DRS-1 Mic-Pre/DI uses our well proven and loved Class A output stage (DSOP-2), but also has our latest breakthrough in transformerless Class A, Discrete Mic Input Technology which gives a “valve-like” sound. It also incorporates our high input impedance DI circuitry.

Phoenix Audio

About Manufacturer

Phoenix Audio was founded in 1996 by Shaun Leveque to provide a British service for owners of pre-1980 Neve recording consoles. Their technicians, metal-workers, and design engineers are original ex-Neve workers, so they have the inside scoop, and they operate from a fully-equipped, modern, independent workshop. They design and build products, wired in-house by professional wiremen and engineers with many years experience that take great pride in the quality of their craftsmanship. Phoenix Audio products are unique and original and carefully designed to combine the advantages of years of audio experience with current manufacturing technology and components. Sound Pure has been very impressed by all of the new products and technologies they continue to release.

Specifications

  • 1U half rack space unit: With 240V/110V mains voltage input selector switch
  • Class A (DSOP2) Output specs. Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz +- 0.5dB, Maximum Output = +26dBu @ 1kHz, Noise = -90dB @ 20Hz to 20kHz.
  • Output connections: XLR’s and TSR 1/4″ Jack on rear
  • Phoenix Audio’s unique Class A, transformerless, True balanced Mic input stage. Microphone inputs: XLR’s on Front and Rear Panels
  • Phoenix Audio’s unique Class A, transformerless, True balanced Mic input stage. Microphone inputs: XLR’s on Front and Rear Panels
  • Individual Earth Lift: Push-button Switches
  • Gain Range (Mic input): -30 to -70 in 5dB steps With 10dB more available on the fader.
  • Gain reduction: -30dB push-button Mic/Line switch (Mic input)
  • High Input Impedance DI: Mono 1/4″ Jack on front panel
  • Gain Meter: LED Metering. (Green = 0dB, Red= +8dB, corresponding to “4” and “6” on a PPM Meter).
  • Phantom Power: Switchable phantom on Push-button Switche
  • High Pass Filter: on Push-button Switch
  • Phase Reverse: on Push-button Switch
  • Frequency Response Mic Input Stage: -0.4dB @ 40Hz, -0.3dB @ 25kHz
  • Frequency Response: DI Input Stage: -0.3dB @ 40Hz, – 0.5dB @ 25kHz
  • Typical Headroom: +24dB on Mic-Pre stage
  • DI Stage gain: Maximum of 20dB
  • All units are wired with PTFE silver military grade cable

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