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P/N 388.003 

 

©1999-2000 Sound Devices, LLC 

Printed in U.S.A 

 

 

 

MP-2 Microphone Preamplifier 

User Guide and Technical Information 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

General Description 

 

The MP-2 from Sound Devices is a studio-quality 
two-channel, portable, stereo microphone 

preamplifier. With its impressive audio performance 

and comprehensive list of features including 

headphone monitoring, metering and MS Matrix, 

the MP-2 is a flexible front end device for 

professional studio and field applications. Studio, 

location, and live music engineers value the 
compact size and ability to withstand extremes in 

the field. The MP-2 combines rugged mechanical 

and electronic construction, compact size, and high-

quality components. The MP-2 allows no-

compromise performance for any application.

 

Features

High Performance Microphone Inputs 

• 

Maximum of 66 dB of gain per input. 

• 

Premium Lundahl input transformers provide 
superior sonic quality and freedom from 
interference problems. 

• 

Sealed, conductive plastic potentiometers for 
long-life, reliable gain adjustment. 

• 

Phantom power, selectable between 48-volts 
and 15-volts. 

• 

High-pass filters with 80 or 160 Hz corner 
frequencies, 6 dB per octave. Filters are 

inserted prior to any active circuitry for extra 

high headroom. 

Audio Performance 

• 

Dynamic range exceeding 110 dB. 

• 

10 Hz to 50 kHz audio bandwidth. 

• 

Exceptionally low distortion characteristics. 

• 

Discrete 6-transistor balanced output drivers 
provide robust drive for long cable runs. 

Headphone Monitoring 

• 

High current headphone monitor circuit enables 
monitoring of program audio or external stereo 

tape return audio. 

• 

Headphone level control and peak-indicator. 

Level Metering 

• 

Sunlight-readable seven-segment GaN LED 
output meters. 

• 

Three-position LED brightness switch. 

• 

Two-color LEDs per input channel indicate 
clipping and limiter activity. 

M/S Stereo Matrix 

• 

MS stereo decoder assigned to headphones, or 
headphones and outputs. 

• 

Allows for flexible post-production processing. 

Audio Limiters 

• 

“Unclippable” input peak limiters via two-stage 
opto-isolator circuit with adjustable limiter 

threshold (per input). 

• 

Dual mono or linked stereo limiter operation. 

Flexible Powering 

• 

Internal battery-power from two AA batteries 
with easy access battery compartment. 

• 

Chassis-isolated 5 to 18 VDC input for easy 
external DC powering. 

• 

Power LED indicates low battery power. 

Trouble Free Design 

• 

High strength, extruded aluminum chassis with 
protective metal end panels withstands 

punishing field conditions. 

• 

All-metal connectors solidly mounted to the 
chassis for durability and RF immunity. 

• 

Free from “Pin 1” grounding problems. 

• 

RF filtering on all inputs and outputs. 

Summary of Contents for MP-2

Page 1: ...extra high headroom Audio Performance Dynamic range exceeding 110 dB 10 Hz to 50 kHz audio bandwidth Exceptionally low distortion characteristics Discrete 6 transistor balanced output drivers provide robust drive for long cable runs Headphone Monitoring High current headphone monitor circuit enables monitoring of program audio or external stereo tape return audio Headphone level control and peak i...

Page 2: ... Pass Filters 80 Hz or 160 Hz switch selectable 6 dB per octave Phantom Power 15 V through 680 ohm resistors or 48 V through 6 8k resistors switch selectable Limiter Thresholds independently adjustable from 10 dBu to 18 dBu 10 1 limiting ratio 5 mS attack time 100 mS release time Amber Red LED indicates limiting clipping Dual mono or stereo linked Internal Voltage Rails 15 V and 15 V regulated Met...

Page 3: ...ination or super bright illumination 6 Tape Return Switch Toggle switch allows external audio to be monitored in the headphones The center position is MP 2 program audio The left and right positions monitor tape return audio the left position is locking and the right position is momentary 7 Headphone Connector Accepts stereo and mono headphones with connectors 8 Headphone Volume Control Adjusts th...

Page 4: ...limiter LINK functions as a stereo limiter with both left and right inputs controlled simultaneously Center position of switch turns limiter off 18 Limiter Threshold Level Control Recessed potentiometers adjust peak level of limiter activation Can be independently controlled for each input Output Panel Connectors 19 Strap Slot Attachment point for camera straps 20 Tape Return Input Connector 3 5 m...

Page 5: ...48 volt phantom therefore 15 volt phantom is appropriate The 15 volt setting will increase battery life versus the 48 volt setting Microphones requiring 48 volt phantom will not operate or may operate with lower headroom and increased distortion at the 15 volt setting therefore use 48 volt phantom for these mics Consult your microphone documentation Dynamic microphones do not require phantom power...

Page 6: ...n excess of 50 dB making it very difficult to clip the unit no matter the gain setting The three position Limiter switch can be set to operate in either dual mono or stereo linked operation Dual mono operation ON switch position allows each input to limit independently responding only to its input signal Stereo linked operation LINK switch position connects both limiters ensuring that the limiters...

Page 7: ...s Current Draw The MP 2 can vary significantly in the amount of current it draws Several functions of the MP 2 directly affect current draw in different ways The following list highlights the larger current drawing functions listed from highest to lowest current draw 1 Phantom power the main source of extra MP 2 current draw See Phantom Power 48V Phantom can draw copious amounts of current out of ...

Page 8: ... IEC1000 4 2 1995 EN61000 4 3 1995 Radiated RF Immunity 10 V m 80 1 kHz amplitude IEC1000 4 3 1995 modulation EN61000 4 4 1995 EFT Burst I O lines 25 kV to 1 0 kV IEC1000 4 4 1995 EN61000 4 6 1996 Conducted RF Immunity 10 V 80 1 kHz amplitude modulation IEC1000 4 6 1996 Tested by L S Compliance Inc Cedarburg Wisconsin December 16 1999 Matthew Anderson Director of Engineering Warranty Sound Devices...

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