Grace Design m101 is a single-channel microphone preamp with an optimised instrument DI input, using the same trans-impedance architecture as the larger 801 and 201 models, in an affordable half-width 1U chassis. A balanced, transformerless design with no electrolytic capacitors in the signal path delivers huge bandwidth and dynamic headroom, offering a natural, detailed and musical sound for the engineer and musician.
A clean, non-colouring signal path
Many cheap preamps add their own character to the signal, making it hard to hear how the microphone actually sounds. The m101 is deliberately transparent: plug in a neutral mic and you get a neutral sound, and a mic with character is heard with that character, without a preamp overlay. 0.5% metal film resistors, a 12-position gold-plated gain switch and a built-in quiet universal 100-240 V supply deliver a low noise floor and repeatable, precise settings, which translates to tracks that sit well in a mix.
Ribbon mode and instrument DI
An engineer with a ribbon microphone needs higher impedance and protection for the delicate ribbon. Ribbon mode raises the impedance from 8.1 kΩ to 20 kΩ with a single push, bypasses the coupling capacitors and locks out 48 V, working well with dynamics too. A front-panel Hi-Z instrument input preserves the sound of a plugged-in bass or acoustic guitar, and a 75 Hz high-pass filter removes rumble and excessive proximity effect. A gain range up to 75 dB with trim handles any microphone in any recording situation.
KEY FEATURES
- Single-channel microphone preamp with instrument DI input
- Trans-impedance architecture from the 801 and 201 models
- Balanced, transformerless, no electrolytic capacitors in the path
- 12-position gold-plated gain switch plus 0-10 dB trim
- Exclusive Ribbon mode with phantom lockout and raised impedance
- Front-panel Hi-Z instrument input
- 75 Hz high-pass filter, 12 dB/octave
- Three outputs: XLR balanced, TRS balanced, 1/4" unbalanced
- Built-in universal 100-240 V supply, no wall-wart
- Half-width 1U chassis, two units in one rack
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Manufacturer: Grace Design
- Type: single-channel microphone preamp / DI
- Architecture: balanced, transformerless, trans-impedance
- Mic gain range: 10 dB to 65 dB in 5 dB steps, plus 0-10 dB trim (max 75 dB)
- Ribbon mode: impedance raised from 8.1 kΩ to 20 kΩ, 48 V lockout
- Hi-Z input: -10 to +45 dB; impedance 1 MΩ unbalanced / 2 MΩ balanced
- THD+N: below 0.005% at 60 dB gain
- Frequency response (Mic): 4.5 Hz to 390 kHz (-3 dB)
- Filter: HPF 75 Hz, 12 dB/octave
- Phantom power: 48 V switchable
- Outputs: XLR balanced 300 Ω, unbalanced 150 Ω
- Power: built-in universal 100-240 V AC supply
- Chassis: aluminium, half-width 1U
- Manufacturer warranty: 5 years
