JOEMEEK MQ3 Pro Channel Mic Processor

The new MQ3 replaces the VC3Q. The only difference is the new MQ3 adds the new "CS" Current Sense auto-impedance matching, and a mic/line selector switch on the front panel. All other functions, and spec are the same. There is no price change.

This 1U half-rack mounting unit packs the punch of the more expensive JOEMEEK equipment in a small box and offers almost identical sounds and quality to the home recordist and musicians at a fraction of the price. All its big brothers features are there - the new "CS" microphone pre amplifier, the JOEMEEK compressor, and the stunning JOEMEEK Meequalizer "EQ." The Pro Channel is a fundamental breakthrough for the rapidly expanding home studio market, and is designed to give real power to the pure and clinical sounds of modern digital equipment when tracking. World-class sound at an amazing price, the Joemeek Pro Channel is a must for the user whose quality requirement is greater than their budget.

The New "CS" Input Stage
The "front end" is an entirely new design using Ted Fletcher's latest design, the "CS" mic pre. The design gives (microphone) input headroom of more than 30dB; the input is floating balanced and will easily accept microphone levels from -70dB up to more than 0dB. In addition, the new "CS" automatically loads the correct impedance to any microphone you use to optimize you're microphones performance.

Phantom power is provided for capacitor microphones. Noise performance is up to finest laboratory standards (-125.5dB below… read more input 20Hz to 20kHz 200 Ohm input termination). The line input is designed for balanced circuits and will accept -30dB up to +24dB. The nominal operating level at the "insert" point is -10dB but as maximum output at that point is +24dB the Pro Channel can operate with any mixer.

The Compressor
The built-in JOEMEEK compressor is slightly different from the big studio unit so it is easier to use with musical instruments. The attack is variable between 1ms and 11ms. The release is variable from 125mS up to 1.5 seconds. There is an in/out switch for comparisons. The compression control is rotary. The compression ratio varies from 1.5 to 1; up to 7 to 1; depending on musical content and it's auto ratio makes it easy for the user to operate.

The EQ
The equalizer can change the sound of an instrument or voice by altering the high, mid or low frequencies separately, but at the same time, making those changes musically. The controls not only add or subtract volume in the 3 frequency bands called "treble," "mid," and "bass," but also alter the phase relationships of these frequency bands. This is a major factor in the "musicality" of the equalizer. Unlike other equalizers, the actual frequencies are not specified. The reason for this is that in order to sound completely musical, there is considerable overlap between the sections so that "8KHz" actually has a great effect at both 20KHz and at 2KHz; if it didn't, it would sound bad. This is why their EQ has the classic warmth and tone of the old world class Neve EQ's. The EQ is defeatable for direct comparisons of wet and dry.

Treble Control
Approx 18dB lift and cut at the shelving frequency of 8KHz. (fixed)

Mid Controls
Approx 16dB lift and cut at 1.8Khz (fixed)

Bass Control
Approx 18dB lift and cut at the shelving frequency of 80Hz. (fixed)

The Meter
The first green LED of the meter array stays on all the time to show that the power is on. The second green LED lights at an output level of -12dB. The second yellow LED lights at an output level of -6dB. The orange LED lights at an output level of 0dB. The red LED lights at an output level of +8dB. An overload meter is located after the EQ, so the user will be sure if any large amounts of gain are added.

Overall Performance
Frequency response +0 -0.5dB 10Hz to 50KHz Low frequency accuracy maintained to get clear unmuddled bass sounds onto digital recorders. Harmonic distortion less then 0.01% except where compression affects low frequency wave shape. Noise generally 100dB below input (125.5dB below input on mic at more than 50dB gain)

The Output Stage
An LED "meter" shows levels immediately before the output stage. An output volume control gives the choice of output volume levels. Two output jack sockets are identical with each other but buffered from each other. Output is balanced 600 ohm with maximum output +24dB. Noise approx -80 dB.

Features
Adds warmth power and "thickness" to modern digital studio sound

The JOEMEEK Pro Channel offers the absolute pinnacle in professional audio sound and quality

The ultimate dynamic effects processor for bass players guitarists and vocalists in live and recording applications

An ultra high-quality microphone pre amplifier

"Power-up" and smooth out samples before committing them to tape or hard disk.

Superlative Mic input with ultra low noise and vast headroom.

Now with the new "CS" Current Sense mic preamplifier

Input gain control with 60dB range on mic and 30dB range on line.

Mic/Line Switch

Phantom power (switched on/off) with LED indicator

Compression attack speed control

Compression depth control with LED indicator

Compression release speed control

Compression in/out switch

3-band EQ with overload LED indicator

An accurate peak reading meter

Output volume control

XLR type microphone input, standard jack line input

Standard jack Insert point after the mic amp and pre compressor

Standard jack additional mix input port pre compressor

Dual line level outputs

Compact "half of 1U" size read less