grace design
m
201
owner’s manual
8
ribbon
This setting puts the m201 into ‘ribbon mic mode’, which is described in detail
below. Use this input for ribbon microphones or any application where an additional
10dB of gain may be required. In this position, the main XLR mic inputs are feeding the
preamplifier and the dual XLR outputs are active.
130V
This setting activates the optional 130V input module for DPA microphones. If
the 130V input option is present, this selection will deactivate the standard XLR inputs
and enable the dedicated 4 pin 130V XLR inputs. In this mode, the 48V pushbutton
switch will turn on the 130V power supply. Phase reverse and -20dB pad are available
in this mode. The dual balanced XLR outputs carry the output signal.
SETTING THE GAIN
First, turn the gain control fully counter-clockwise and check that the 48V phantom
power is off. Connect a microphone and then turn on the phantom power if required.
When sending a signal to a recorder, converter or interface that has fixed input levels,
simply increase the gain until the optimum recording level is reached. If the peak in-
dicator flashes red excessively with the gain control in the fully counterclockwise posi-
tion, engage the -20dB attenuator.
When sending a signal to a tape recorder with an input attenuator (i.e. the record level
control on a DAT or CDR recorder) use the following procedure: With the sound source
present, turn the gain control clockwise until the peak LED begins flashing red, then
reduce the gain until the red stops flashing. Since red indicates a peak level which is
12dB before preamplifier clipping (6dB in unbalanced mode), it is OK for it to come on
periodically during recording. If peak indicator flashes red excessively with the gain
control in the fully counterclockwise position, engage the -20dB attenuator. Now ad-
just the recorder input control for the optimum recording level.
Ribbon Mic Mode
Selecting the ribbon mic position on the input mode switch optimizes the channel for
ribbon microphones by boosting the gain by 10dB while disabling 48V phantom pow-
er and optimizing the mic input impedance. Before activating ribbon mic mode, make
sure the channel’s gain is fully down (counter-clockwise) and 48V phantom power is
off. Now simply select ‘ribbon’ input mode and turn the gain control upwards until the
proper recording level is achieved.
If you press the 48V phantom switch while the ribbon switch is engaged, the mic pow-
er will not turn on. However, if the 48V phamtom switch remains depressed and the
input mode switch becomes inadvertently changed to ‘48V’, 48V phantom will conse-
quently be activated, which can potentially harm a ribbon your microphone if it is still
connected to the input. If the 48V phantom power switch is turned of and then the
ribbon mode is selected, the preamplifier will wait until the phantom power voltage
