TK Audio DP3 2-Channel Microphone Preamp

TK Audio DP3 Overview

Get vintage color, modern transparency, or something in-between— all in one rack space— with the DP3, a versatile, hybrid-design stereo mic preamp from TK Audio. The unit provides a pair of pristine high-input-stage mic preamps with 80 dB of gain and selectable 48V phantom power for condenser microphones. In addition, selectable Class-A, germanium, and saturation controls let you add a wide range of vintage tonal options that include the midrange germanium crunch of the mid ‘ 60s, the low-mid punch and thick sound associated with British Class-A preamps from the early ‘ 70s, and the more modern tones of the ‘ 80s and ‘ 90s.

Tons of Tones

• While the DP3 includes TK’ s proven input stage and germanium circuit from the DP2, it also incorporates a new saturation circuit that— together with the vintage Class-A stage— gives you a broad palette of character choices.
• The input stage is designed around a high-quality Swedish Lundahl transformer and high gain stage, followed by selectable saturation and germanium circuits for even more color and harmonics.
• Instead of switching output stages, as was done in previous models, the Class-A stage is now inserted in front of the Output level control, letting you drive the transformer harder without overloading your A/D converters, while making the output less sensitive to different impedances.
• The Class-A stage uses a heavy, custom-made Carnhill transformer that produces a fat, punchy sound with midrange character and a warm top end.
• An 8-segment meter clealy displays headroom levels.

Colorful DI Recording

• The Hi-Z direct mode function bypasses the input transformer and input stage and sends the instrument signal directly to the high-pass filter and the selectable saturation and germanium circuits.
• The dedicated 2-megohm Hi-Z instrument input has a separate activation switch, so you can leave your instrument connected all the time.
• Direct mode gain is +14 dB, which is perfect for bass recording together with the Class-A stage. The sweepable 12 dB per octave high-pass filter goes from 30 Hz to 400 Hz for precision crafting of the low end.

Controls

• Hi-Z input: high-impedance instrument input with 2-megohm input impedance
• In: activates the instrument input
• Direct: bypasses the mic input stage and feeds the Hi-Z input stage directly to the HPF
• 48V phantom power switch: with separate LED indicator
• Gain switch in 5 dB steps: -25 to -80 dB, +5 dB to -25 (with -30 dB pad selected)
• Headroom meter: this LED meter is a headroom meter not a VU meter. It is connected before the Output level control to show the internal headroom, even if you have lowered the output level. With the level at maximum, the meter indicates clipping at +25 dB.
• -30 dB: pads the input signal by -30 dB (for best signal to noise ratio, avoid the 30 dB pad if not needed)
• Impedance: switches the mic input impedance (1600/400 ohms)
• Sweepable high-pass filter: 30 to 400 Hz, 12 dB/octave
• Saturation: inserts a saturation stage for extra harmonics after the HPF
• Germanium: inserts a germanium stage after the HPF (for more color, select higher gain and back off a little with the output level control)
• Class-A: engages Class-A Carnhill transformer stage for fat, punchy sound
• Output level control: adjusts the output level after the Class-A stage if inserted
• Polarity switch: flips the output polarity