Phoenix Audio Theata is eight channels of discrete Class-A instrument preamplification combined with a summing section in a rack chassis. The name refers to the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, and the design was built for studio, live and broadcast work alike.
Eight synths arriving in analogue
A studio full of hardware always runs into the same problem: module and synth outputs are too quiet and sit too low for the interface. The Theata offers 30 dB of gain on each of its eight channels at an input impedance of 10 megohms, so it raises the level and adds tone at the same time rather than merely matching. Every channel carries a sweepable high pass filter from 45 to 250 Hz, a 15 dB pad, phase reverse and ground lift, which is the full set for taming eight different sources.
Summing and width in the same box
Beyond amplification, the Theata holds a Class-A summing section with its own mix bus, so eight instruments collapse to a stereo pair before the converter. The width control runs from mono to an image 25 percent wider, and a master insert takes an external compressor. Counting main, monitor and summing connections there are over twenty-four inputs and twenty outputs, and two linked units give sixteen channels working as one system.
KEY FEATURES
- Eight channels of Class-A instrument preamplification
- Input impedance of 10 megohms on every channel
- 30 dB of gain on every channel
- Sweepable high pass filter from 45 to 250 Hz per channel
- 15 dB pad on every channel
- Phase reverse and ground lift on every channel
- Class-A summing section with its own mix bus
- Stereo width control from mono to plus 25 percent
- Master insert send and return for external processing
- Ten custom-wound transformers
- Linking of two units into a sixteen channel system
- Front panel inputs, D-sub inputs and through sockets
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Channels: 8
- Input impedance: 10 megohms
- Gain range: 30 dB per channel
- High pass filter: sweepable from 45 to 250 Hz
- Pad: 15 dB per channel
- Inputs: 24, comprising 8 on D-sub, 8 on the front and 8 through
- Outputs: 20, comprising 8 main, 8 monitor and 4 summing
- Transformers: 10 custom-wound units
- Width control: mono to plus 25 percent
- Power: external 24 V PSU with lockable connector
