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Triton Audio FetHead
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Usually Ships Same or Next Business Day ?
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Triton
Audio FetHead Ribbon Mic Booster Description
The FetHead is offered as a bundled item with most passive ribbon mics @ ZenPro Audio...look around!
Philosophy
Inspired by the positive results of the BigAmp we wondered if a phantom
powered, high quality preamp preceding the microphone cable could improve the
sound quality of a ribbon or dynamic microphone. the results were more then
convincing. Enter FetHead, our newest innovation in phantom powered preamp
design. While testing FetHead we noticed an overall increase of sound quality
and a change of tonal character of the attached dynamic microphone towards a more
open, controlled sound.
Which microphones benefit
In short, we noticed an improvement on all tested dynamic microphones. A Shure
sm58 for instance, sounded more responsive over a broader frequency range. When
mated with a high-end dynamic microphone like a Sennheiser MD441, FetHead
really shines. Ribbon microphones benefit greatly too because of a much better
impedance match, which lessens the load on the microphone, thus giving it
better transient response characteristics. FetHeads high quality, low noise
signal amplification also extends the usable range of a ribbon microphone, by
making it more suitable for recording softer passages without introducing
noise. Some ribbon microphones do not tolerate phantom power, FetHead's circuit
uses Phantom power but shields it from its input (and the microphone's output),
as a result it offers effective protection to the microphone.
Low noise
Fethead uses low noise jfets configured as a double class a amplifier. Jfet's
are among the most quiet amplifying elements available today. The calculated
noise figure of the FetHead based on the jfet's datasheet is lower than we are
able to measure. In the real world the noise injected by a FetHead depends on
the noise generated by the pantom power supply, if the power supply is quiet,
FetHead is quiet.
How it works
Attach FetHead on to a balanced microphone cable and plug it in a dynamic
microphone, switch on phantom power and enjoy FetHeads Natural open sound!
It is also very
well possible to use FetHead as a D.I. Simply mount an xlr to jack converter to
the input and use it in combination with an instrument with jack output.
Because of the quality of the amplifier, FetHead lowers the noise floor and
improves the overall sound quality of most mixers channel strips. When combined
with your favorite microphone pre FetHeads neutral clean sound extends its
usable gain range, while keeping the sonic properties of your preamp intact.
Triton Audio FetHead Ribbon Mic Booster Features
- Ultra low
noise Class A JFet amplifier
- 20db
amplification (@ 1000 ohm load)
- double
single ended amplifier topology
- Balanced
output
- Lots of
headroom
- Z-in 22k
- 18-48 v
phantom power
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Triton Audio FetHead Ribbon
Mic Booster /
See All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page
You don’t always have to spend a lot
of money to have the clouds part and have a heavenly experience with gear.
Ribbon mic owners know that sometimes even the highest gain preamps could use
an assist in getting signals hot enough on quiet sources (or maybe you’re sick
of topping out your preamp and bringing all that noise with it). The FetHead is
a real solution that does not get in the way of the sound of the source, it
sounds essentially true to the source.
FetHead is a super low noise phantom
powered +20dB boost for ribbon mics that really does the job without bringing
the noise. There isn’t a whole lot to say other than it adds loads of gain and,
as long as your phantom power supply is quiet, does not bring any real
noticeable noise on its own. Using FetHead to record a source with my gain pot
around
12:30, then using without but my gain pot maxed, I do not hear a difference
in noise! This thing is really quiet. I have also concluded that FetHead does
not take away from the sound and tone of ribbon mics but rather it opens them
up ever so slightly. I’m talking just a couple percent difference but even this
small difference is welcome as clarity can be enhanced. It is useful with
dynamic mics such as the Shure SM7B and RE20 which are quite gain hungry, same
effect: super hot output with low noise and a slightly more present signal.
Conclusion: Now you can find out
what quieter sources sound like with those low output ribbons and dynamic mics.
Even if you have $1,000 ribbon mics this inexpensive device will allow them to
shine. Stop running out of steam on your preamp, FetHead is a winner.
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