Mercury M76m Mk. IV Dual Channel Tube Microphone Preamplifier
Introducing the latest version of Mercury’s Studio Microphone Amplifier, the Mercury M76m Mk. IV. This benchmark amplifier is based on the highly sought after vintage Telefunken/Siemens V76m amplifier modules that were utilized in European broadcast and recording studios during the late 1950s and 60s. In fact, even after tube consoles were replaced by transistor consoles, the V76 modules were still used as outboard mic amps in studios worldwide.
The M76m is designed to bring back the vintage tone, craftsmanship, and feel that inspired Mercury to manufacture recording equipment and keep beloved circuits alive for future generations. The new M76m Mk. IV boasts the same exact tone and warmth as its predecessors, utilizing the same circuit, quality parts, and transformers used in their original M76m at Mercury Recording Equipment. While some vintage-inspired aesthetic extras have been stripped away, the M76m [Mk. IV] remains a top-of-the-line amplifier that is sure to inspire musicians and recording engineers alike.
The Mercury M76m is a rare gem, based on amplifier modules that were used in consoles that were manufactured in minimal quantities, over 50 years ago. As a result, these modules have become extremely rare, expensive, and in some cases, require extensive repairs.
Leveraging over 20 years of experience in repairing, rebuilding, and listening to the Telefunken/Siemens V76 modules, the top priority was to create a modern Studio Microphone Amplifier that replicates the original sound. The M76m preserves the integrity of the original circuit, delivering the same open, warm tonality using transformer balanced, dual-stage, high-gain amplifiers, and featuring four transformers and four tubes per channel.
Mercury have been able to capture not only the behaviour but also the overall sound of the original units. The Mercury M76m comes with modern features such as Phantom, Phase, Level Control, and a High/Low Impedance switch, which were never available on any module or custom racked units. It is the benchmark of modern tube microphone amplifiers that delivers exceptional performance and sound quality.
The Mercury M76m offers a Gain Control that ranges from 0 to +60dB in 6dB increments, which works in conjunction with the Level Control and Output Attenuation. The Level Control acts as a fader that increases (clockwise) or decreases (counter-clockwise) the amount of gain from the first stage to the second stage of the amplifier. This feature allows you to add musical (tube) “break up” by decreasing the level control and increasing the course gain. Additionally, an Output Attenuation Control (-0 to -10dB) has been added for even more control, including the ability to shape tones in several different ways, which works well on electric guitar recordings.
The Mercury FDI (FET Direct Input) is a proprietary J-Fet circuit that is based on a class-A tube topology. It is designed to reproduce every nuance of a direct recording, while allowing the tube or solid-state character of the amplifier to determine the overall tone. The instrument DI signal is sent through the entire microphone preamp circuitry, including Mercury’s custom, massive input transformers, which allows the individual character of each preamp to come through.
Specifications:
- Mic Input Impedance: Approx. 2k
- Suggested Source Impedance: Approx. 200 ohms
- Input Impedance with -28dB Pad: Approx. 4k
- DI Input Impedance: 2M ohms
- Internal Output Impedance: 30-50 ohms (depends on gain setting)
- Suggested Minimum Load: 500 ohms
- Max. Mic Signal Input Level (@ 20 Hz): +34dBu with -28dB Pad engaged / +6dBu with Pad not engaged
- Max. Output Level: +22dBu
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.5dB
- Harmonic Distortion: All musically related low orders of harmonics, with no significant order above 5th