
VLC Microphone Preamplifier/EQ/DI
HAZELRIGG INDUSTRIES
14
Front panel XLR /
¼
” combo (3)
The front combo jack adds convenient access to patch in a microphone for quick setup. It also
contains the
¼
” input.
+48 Volt (4)
The +48 switch is actuated by first pulling out, then moving to the upper position.
Solid-state condenser microphones in professional environments are usually phantom powered;
the microphone electronics are DC powered through the audio cable. This is accomplished by
feeding the positive side of a 48 volt power supply to both pin 2 and 3 of the input connector
(through precision matched resistors), and the negative to pin 1 (ground). The DC voltage is
recovered at the microphone with negligible effect on the audio signal.
Vacuum tube condenser mics and dynamic microphones do not require this power and the +48
switch (4) should be turned off when using non-phantom powered mics. Although leaving the
+48 on will not damage any properly wired balanced mic, some ribbon mics have reportedly been
damaged when connected or disconnected from phantom powering. Also, some engineers feel
that the performance of some dynamic mics may be subtly degraded with the phantom power on.
The phantom power circuit used in the VLC is suitable for use with all Neumann micro- phones,
AKG 12 and 48 volt microphones, B&K phantom powered mics, all Schoeps mics, Shure SM81
and 85 mics, Crown PZM mics, and virtually all other phantom-powered mics that require any
voltage between 12 and 48 volts.
When turned off, the phantom-power resistors are completely disconnected from the circuit in the
VLC.
-20 (5)
In the “-20” position, a pad is inserted between the input connector and the input transformer.
This position would be used when the level is too high. On condenser microphones that have a
switchable pad, it will usually be necessary to use a -10 or -20 dB pad in the mic when recording
very high sound levels to prevent overload of the microphone electronics. Whether this is used in