AMPTEK Mic Driver - Vintage Germanium Mic Preamp and Saturator w/ NOS Tung Sol, Sylvania, RCA, GE

Push the gain, and drive away...

Providing engineers and musicians alike the ability to drive mic’d signals through a 1960s style Class-A preamp, the AMPTEK Mic Driver is unique pedal-sized germanium preamp. Featuring an all-vintage transformer and transistor based signal path, mic’d signals generate pleasing vintage analog tones ranging from smooth and warm to heavily saturated harmonic distortion.

THEORY OF OPERATION: Like vintage tube amps and germanium guitar pedals coveted for their ability to provide musicians warm, organic tone shaping and overdriving capabilities, the Mic Driver provides users the same ability for microphone signals. Signal flow consists of two gain stages - microphones feed the high ratio step-up transformer into low-noise silicon transistors. Following initial preamplification, an interstage GAIN control adjusts the level into the three-transistor germanium output amplification stage. Higher levels of gain generate increasing amounts of asymmetric Class-A clipping, allowing a range of coloration options. Following the high signals generated while pushing levels, OUTPUT control allows users to trim back and adjust levels into following equipment based on application, be it pedals, a DI, an interface input or more.

CONTROLS

• GAIN - Interstage gain control, adjusts the level sent into the germanium output section. Higher levels of gain result in more germanium saturation
• OUTPUT - Level control post output amplifier stage, for pulling back hot and saturated signals to avoid clipping the inputs of following equipment
• GRIT - Toggles between low and high gain in the germanium output amplifier stage, allowing for lower gain, less saturated signals when not engaged. Using this control in tandem with Gain allows for dialing in the desired sound.

With a small and convenient form factor, power supply requirements (standard center-negative supplies), and gain staging options, musicians and engineers alike can mic up sources in the studio, from a pedal board, on the go and more with a high quality, new-but-vintage preamp, providing a rich analog color to otherwise sterile modern inputs.

From drilling the enclosure and applying the graphic to making the circuit board and wiring it up, everything is done by hand and uses discrete, through hole components for long term reliability and serviceability - no robot construction dubbed "assembled", surface mount devices or non-repairable construction. This batch of 6 units features a new and improved three-transistor output germanium amplifier section using 1950s NOS Tung Sol and Sylvania transistors! Using a Hammond steel enclosure for proper shielding, Neutrik XLR and Switchcraft 1/4" connectors. Works with standard 9VDC (center negative) power supplies (not provided), but can handle up to 18 for increased headroom.

Check out our other listings for other germanium and tube pro audio gear, or check out our website for more looks at our work.