5
Introduction - Design Concept
1. INTRODUCTION
In purchasing the new SM TB101/202, you have acquired a tube microphone pre-amplifier chan-
nel strip of high class that meets many of the demands of the home/pro studio.
For your reference in this manual, the TB101 and TB202 units are either single or dual channel
designs of the same circuitry. The TB101 is the single channel unit that is half rack size, whereas
the TB202 is a dual channel unit, just like 2 x TB101’s side by side.
The market size for digital audio interfaces and computer based digital editing has increased in a
massive way. With systems available at very low prices, more and more users are utilizing this
technology. One of the main problems with many of these systems is the input stage only
consisting of unbalanced line inputs or very low (or no mic pre) gain structure for the balanced
input stage and the unavailability of Phantom power.
The TB101/202 comes to the rescue with either one or two channels (TB101 or TB202) of bal-
anced input with a tube microphone preamplifier, optical compression, 3 band EQ, Phantom
power, phase reverse switch, and for output volume for each channel. Both the TB101 or TB202
units can now solve many of the connectivity issues which are raised in a large range of situa-
tions, whether in the home or professional studio.
2. THE DESIGN CONCEPT
2.1 High quality components and design
The philosophy behind SM ProAudio products guarantees a no-compromise circuit design and
employs the best choice of components. The components used in the SM TB101/202, are excep-
tional. They boast extreme linearity and very low distortion characteristics. The tubes used are
hand selected and tested for optimum performance.
2.2 Inputs and outputs
All inputs and outputs are secured firmly to the exterior chassis housing. This ensures robust
quality and confidence in performance under all conditions.
