Empirical Labs | EL-9 Mike-E | Microphone Preamp & Compressor / Saturator

Empirical Labs’ Mike-E channel strip manages to do many things very well! First and foremost, it’s a modern digitally controlled mic preamp. An extremely low-noise transformer on the input amplifier keeps the signal strong and clean. The input section also features a high-performance DI for direct-input instruments such as guitar and bass. Polarity, highpass filter, and 48V phantom power switches come next, followed by the CompSat section, which is comprised of a Saturator, Compressor, Emphasis, and Mix Control. These four circuits come together in the Empirical Labs Mike-E to enhance your tracks with everything from classic knee compression and limiting to colorful vintage-style saturation. On its rear panel, Mike-E features balanced and unbalanced I/O, as well as sidechain input and stereo link jacks. Empirical Labs’ Mike-E is very well-spec’d and equipped, indeed, and at its quite reasonable price point, an excellent value!

• Mic preamplifier with super low noise and stepped gain
• Highest-quality components used throughout
• High-performance DI for direct-input instruments
• “Colored” 80Hz highpass filter emulates the warm low-frequency cut of vintage equalizers
• Polarity switch inverts audio signal 180 degrees
• CompSat offers both a musical Compressor/Limiter and a unique tape-like saturation circuit
• Emphasis: high-frequency emphasis system softens high-frequency pile-ups and adds color enhancement
• Mix Control allows the blending of the Compressed/Saturated signal with the unprocessed dry signal
• Frequency Response: 3Hz–200kHz on (CompSat out); 3Hz–150kHz (CompSat in)
• Signal to Noise:130dB (40dB gain)
• Maximum output: +28dBu
• Distortion: .0006%–15% (depending on mode and settings
• Input Impedance: 600 ohms; Output impedance: < 38 ohms