Sound Devices MP1 User's Guide

SOUND DEVICES

™

MP-1 Microphone Preamplifier

User Guide and Technical Information

Sound Devices, LLC

300 Wengel Drive

Reedsburg, WI 53959 USA

Voice 608.524.0625

Fax [phone]

www.sounddevices.com

General Description

The MP-1 from Sound Devices is a portable,
battery-powered microphone preamplifier with
phantom power. Designed for high bandwidth
96k/24 digital productions, this studio-quality mic
pre is ideal for critical radio, television, and film
production applications.

With its rugged mechanical and electrical
construction, compact size and high-quality
components, the MP-1 is extremely durable and
easy to use. This highly reliable mic preamp will
provide years of superb audio performance under
the most punishing field conditions.

Features

Audio performance

• Maximum of 66 dB of gain, adjustable in eleven
discrete steps for accurate, repeatable gain
settings.

• Dynamic range exceeding 120 dB.

• 20 Hz to 50 kHz audio bandwidth.

• High immunity to RF interference due to

transformers, RF filtering, and all-metal
construction.

• High current line output driver capable of
driving very long cable runs.

Transformer balanced

• Premium quality input transformer provides
superior sonic quality and freedom from
interference problems.

• Custom-designed output transformer provides
line driving ability with freedom from
interference problems.

Limiter

• Extended range peak limiter via dual opto­isolators makes unit virtually “unclippable”.

P/N 193.002 ©1999-2001 Sound Devices, LLC
Printed in U.S.A

Battery power

• Internal battery power (two AA) for convenient,
low cost power.

• Battery life greater than 24 hours (phantom
power off).

Durable Mechanical Construction

• High strength extruded aluminum chassis with
protective metal end rails to withstand
punishing field conditions.

• Easy access battery compartment for quick
battery changes.

Phantom power

• Selectable 48-volt and 12-volt phantom power
for condenser and dynamic microphones.

High pass filter

• Two selectable corner frequencies, 80 and
160 Hz, 6 dB per octave.

MP-1 Microphone Preamplifier

100k

High Pass (Low Cut)

MP-1 Frequency Response

User Guide and Technical Information

Specifications

Gain:

0 dB to 66 dB input to output, switch selectable

Gain Accuracy:

+0.6, -0.1 dB with reference to front panel gain markings
(150 ohm source, 100k ohm load impedances)

Frequency Response (see graph below):

20 Hz – 22 kHz, +0.1, -0.5 dB

-1 dB at 50 kHz
(relative to 1 kHz level with 150 ohm source)

Equivalent Input Noise:

-126 dBu (-128 dBV) maximum
(150 ohm source, flat weighting, 22 – 22 kHz bandwidth,
gain setting 36 dB or greater)

Phantom Power:

12V or 48V (switch selectable) per DIN 45 596 specification

Limiter:

Limits to +17 dBu output level
10:1 limiting ratio
5 mS attack time, 100 mS release time
Amber/Red LED indicates limiting/clipping

Internal Voltage Rails:

+15 V and –15 V, regulated

Power:

2 AA batteries, 24 hours life typical with +4 dBu signal into
600 ohms, no phantom power

Output Clipping Level:

+22 dBu minimum with 100k ohm load
+20 dBu minimum with 600 ohm load

Input Clipping Level:

+4 dBu minimum at the 0 or +18 dB gain setting

Dynamic Range:

122 dB minimum at the +18 dB gain setting

THD + Noise:

0.05% maximum
(from 50 Hz to 22 kHz @ +4 dBu output level,
22 Hz - 22 kHz filter bandwidth, +46 dB gain setting)

Common Mode Rejection Ratio:

100 dB minimum at 80 Hz
60 dB minimum at 10 kHz

Input:

Transformer-balanced, 2000 ohm input impedance

Output:

Transformer-balanced, 130 ohm output impedance

Low Cut:

80 Hz or 160 Hz (switch selectable), 6 dB per octave

Power LED:

Green indicates power and good battery.
Red indicates power and low battery. LED turns red when
approximately 4 hours of battery life remain.

Polarity:

Mic input to line output is non-inverting

Operating Temperature Range:

0 to 70 degrees C
32 to 160 degrees F

Dimensions:

43 mm x 94 mm x 140 mm (h x w x d)
(1.7” x 3.7” x 5.5”)

Weight (unit only):

0.56 kg

1.24 lbs.

Weight (packaged):

0.86 kg

1.90 lbs.

Certification:

Meets FCC Part 15 Class B, Eligible to bear CE mark (see
conformance statement)

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