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Product Introduction

The Summit Audio MPC-100A Mic Preamp/ Compressor-Limiter is a single
channel tube preamp and tube compressor/limiter all in a two-space
rackmount unit. It accepts line, microphone, and Hi-Z input signals. The
preamplifier provides a warm yet crisp vacuum tube tone. The
compressor/limiter section has very fast attack times, making it ideal for
optimizing signal prior to entering the digital domain. In addition to having
superb sound and a user friendly interface, the MPC-100A has the robust
build quality consistent with the Summit Audio family of products.

Features include:

Mic, Line and Hi-Z inputs

“Clean” to “Saturated” tube sounds

Tube drive indicators

Unique Hi-Z instrument DI with impedance matching control

Two stages of tube amplification

3 position “smart” attack and release switches

High quality true VU meter

Continuously variable level control

+4 dB balanced and –10 dB unbalanced outputs (useable simultaneously)

Stereo linkable to another MPC-100A or TLA-100A

Jensen Mic transformer

990, discrete output stages

Hand crafted in the USA

Having found this manual, carefully unpack the MPC-100A and it’s power cord. Save the
carton and packing material should it be needed for future shipping. Before powering the
unit, read this manual. Please observe the cautions for HIGH VOLTAGE. Proceed by
doing the following:

1.

 

Set the line voltage switch to the proper position

2.

 

Determine the proper fuse size by referring to the specifications

3.

 

Check for pilot illumination when powered up

Summary of Contents for MPC-100A

Page 1: ...F THE MPC 100A WARNING HIGH VOLTAGE THIS UNIT CONTAINS NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS SERVICING SHOULD ONLY BE DONE BY QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL OR FACTORY DO NOT OPERATE THE MPC 100A WITH THE COVERS REMOVED Summit Audio Inc 1183 Baltic Suite A Gardnerville NV 89410 Copyright 1997 1999 Summit Audio Inc ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Printed in the U S A Doc 523A00 ...

Page 2: ... Tube drive indicators Unique Hi Z instrument DI with impedance matching control Two stages of tube amplification 3 position smart attack and release switches High quality true VU meter Continuously variable level control 4 dB balanced and 10 dB unbalanced outputs useable simultaneously Stereo linkable to another MPC 100A or TLA 100A Jensen Mic transformer 990 discrete output stages Hand crafted i...

Page 3: ...p vacuum tube saturation when LED is blinking the tube is just entering soft clipping Compressor Section Controls 8 Gain variable resistor controls compressor vacuum tube gain 9 OL right yellow LED indicates compressor vacuum tube saturation when LED is blinking the tube is just entering soft clipping 10 A C Threshold variable resistor sets the signal amplitude threshold above which compression en...

Page 4: ... meters right to left from 0 VU 16 Link In Bypass 3 position switch selects stereo linked compression compression engaged or bypass compressor preamp by itself note when linking two MPC 100A s for stereo operation the unit which is set for the most compression will act as the controller for both units also a 1 4 mono connection is required between units Back Panel Connections Mic Input female XLR ...

Page 5: ...1 5 7 2 9 3 4 12 6 13 8 15 10 11 14 16 ...

Page 6: ...ording monitoring level Getting a clean microphone signal Plug the microphone into the mic input on the back of the MPC 100A and set the input switch to mic or 48 for condensor mics needing 48 volt phantom power Make sure both the preamp and compressor gains are turned all the way down Turn the output gain up very high then slowly turn up the preamp gain and compressor gain to the desired recordin...

Page 7: ...program material into the side chain input after inserting the MPC 100A on the background program material Example Send the output of the lead guitar mic into the side chain with the MPC 100A inserted on the rhythm guitar track As the lead guitar player plays the rhythm guitar will decrease in amplitude This is perfect for broadcast use when the DJ needs to speak over music live use when the lead ...

Page 8: ...ies you want uncompressed this can be particularly useful in removing sibilance from vocal tracks Sleeve Ring Tip Side Chain connections are unbalanced Unbalanced Connection to go into the line input XLR jack of the MPC 100A unbalanced it is necessary to connect the signal to pin 3 and tie pin 2 and pin 1 to ground unbalanced out has its own dedicated 1 4 mono jack Tonality because there are two s...

Page 9: ...acements must be selected using 5 volts DC on the filaments The tubes we use are selected in the circuits that they are used in to ensure proper operation long life and low distortion and noise In at least 50 of the cases we have tested gear that has been used for several years actually has lower noise and distortion levels than when new This makes the question of when to replace tubes difficult t...

Page 10: ...tions For the longest life it is recommended that you turn off the unit when it is not in use Please mount the unit in your rack making sure that there is sufficient ventilation especially on the right and left side of the chassis The MPC 100A will generate a significant amount of heat therefore it is necessary to have good air flow to prevent damage to your MPC 100A or any other pieces of gear ho...

Page 11: ...erational amplifiers Output impedance is 75 Ω The recommended output load is 600 Ω or more Maximum output is 25 dBu Input The input transformer is balanced The mic input impedance is 1500 Ω The line level input impedance is 40 kΩ and the Hi Z input impedance is one mega ohm The mic and line inputs are balanced and the Hi Z input is unbalanced Frequency Response 5 Hz to 65 kHz Noise Less than 80 dB...

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