The iPre Multichannel preamp

The iPre Multichannel preamp

The iPre is a modular multichannel preamp, designed for location or fixed acoustic recording.  It has the same clear, uncoloured sound as our Paintpot preamp, setting it apart from any other multichannel preamp, before you even look at all the options available. You can add channels to it from 2 to 32 channels in one system, all controlled from the same compact remote. It has digital output options, analogue output options and connector options.

All in all the iPre is a very special pre-amplifier

The iPre has these features:

Sound Quality

• Designed to sound neutral and uncoloured
  
• Presents great detail without being too clinical
• Doesn't disguise musical or setup errors, but isn't too brittle when doing so
• Has been used on many Classical Grammy awarding winning recordings
  

Pre Amp

• You can have between 2 and 32 channels of preamp in each iPre
• Each channel has 2 inputs, a regular input and a special input for DC ribbon mics, or 130V powered mics, depending on the internal link settings
  
• The inputs are on XLRs and can be mounted on the front for ease of connection
  
• Both inputs have a switchable input pad to allow for high levels
  
• Each channel has a switchable  precision low noise 48V power supply.
• The output phase can be reversed. The switch is passive, so no extra circuitry is added when using this feature.
• Each channel's gain is digitally displayed, and can be set in 1dB increments from 12dB to 72dB - ideal for ribbon mics
  
• The output is hard balanced on a XLR, and the electronics have a high current output capable of driving long lengths of cable.
• Each channel can have an additional 2 isolated outputs provided, each output switchable pre or post the preamp
  
• All controls are switchable from the remote controller
  

Digital Outputs

• Any pair of outputs can have an optional high quality internal ADC added.
• Sample rates can be chosen from 44.1 to 192k, and external wordclock.
• Bit depth can be 24or 16 bit, with full DSP dithering on the 16 bit depths.
• AES outputs are provided, which work simultaneously with the analogue outputs
  
• Selectable termination of the wordclock, allows you to chain the wordclock to multiple devices.
  
• Wordclock in and out are provided on 75R BNC
• A MADI card (availability TBA) can be added to provide optical and coaxial MADI out at any sample rate at the same time as the AES and analogue
  
• The ADC card and the MADI card can be supplied at order time, or retro fitted at any time in the future.

Remote control

• All features, including gain control, can be controlled remotely by a compact wired remote unit, using a single mic tieline.
• The controller allows you to store and recall presets for all 32 channels of preamp and ADC
  
• You can copy settings to all preamps to quickly set up a session ( i.e all phantom on, all gain to +40dB)
  
• The iPre remembers it's settings if the remote is disconnected
  

Mechanics

• The racks housing the preamp cards are modular and are 1U high per 8 channels
• They are made of steel for strength
  
• Small, external 12V supplies are used to provide the power for the racks, making them highly resistant to power brown outs
  
• The iPre has no fans, being completely air cooled
• All of the electronics are modular card based, so it is easy to diagnose or repair faults