The Roll Music Tubule RMS5A7 500-Series Tube
Microphone Preamp combines the full-featured convenience of a modern
mike preamp module with the rich, satisfying sound of a
transformer-coupled, all-tube preamp evocative of the elusive bygone
classics.
The
Roll Music Tubule is a real transformer-coupled tube microphone
preamplifier in the convenient package you never thought possible. At
long last, all the warm sweet satisfaction of a real
transformer-coupled, high-voltage vacuum tube microphone preamplifier in
the convenient and cost-effective 500-series modular format.
With
the explosion of new modular products for the 500-series frames sold by
various manufacturers, user requests for a tube-based module have been
met almost universally with claims by designers and engineers that it
couldn't be done. We took that as a dare. The result is not only a
technological achievement, but a sonic masterstroke.
The Roll
Music Tubule RMS5A7 combines the full-featured convenience of a modern
mike preamp module with the rich, satisfying sound of a
transformer-coupled, all-tube preamp evocative of the elusive bygone
classics. This is not a wimpy starved-plate design, nor is it an op-amp
based preamp with a tube stuck on top for marketing appeal. It's all
tubes and iron, with sophisticated modern power management circuitry to
generate the high-voltage plate supply and high-current heater supply to
power the tube. Careful design of this high-efficiency power circuit
allows the Tubule to work within the space and power consumption
limitations of a single module.
Robust transformer coupling and
flexible, wide-ranging gain controls make the Tubule perfectly suited to
everything from low-output vintage ribbon mikes to the hottest modern
condensers. The input pad, attenuator and gain control also work
together to provide a wide tonal variety. For the cleanest tones, keep
the input attenuator up and the gain control low. For more rich tube
coloration, engage the input pad and turn the attenuator down in order
to use a higher gain setting without overloading the Tubule or other
devices in the signal chain. The continuously-variable input attenuator
also allows for very accurate gain settings that can be easily recalled.
The
Roll Music Tubule RMS5A7 is now a part of the VPR Alliance. It has been
independently confirmed to be fully compatible, both electrically and
mechanically, with any enclosure that complies with the standards for
the 500-series format.
Roll Music Tubule RMS5A7 500-Series Tube Preamp Specifications
- Equivalent Input Noise (66dB gain, 150Ω source) -121dBu
- Input Impedance: 1200Ω balanced
- Recommended Source Impedance: 150Ω balanced
- Maximum Input Level: +22dBu rms
- Maximum Output Level: +25dBu rms
- Output Impedance: <300Ω balanced
- Recommended Load Impedance: >10kΩ balanced
- Gain Range: 3dB steps, 33-66dB
- Input Attenuator: Variable, -10 to 0dB
- Input Pad: Switchable, -20dB
- Frequency Response: +/-1dB, 10Hz-40kHz
- Vacuum Tube: 12DW7 / ECC832 / 7247