ART RP-1

Product overview

The ART RP-1 is a phantom powered remote preamp for dynamic and ribbon microphones that adds clean gain, variable impedance and a low cut filter right at the microphone.

The RP-1 has three main advantages. It adds up to 27 dB of clean, low-noise gain, an ideal solution for low-output microphones. It offers variable impedance from 150 Ω to 10 kΩ, so the preamp response can be tailored to the microphone. And it shortens the distance between microphone and preamp: its balanced output sends the signal over a long cable run to the mixer or interface with less interference and signal loss. The RP-1 runs on 48 V phantom power but does not pass it to the microphone, so it is safe with delicate ribbon microphones, and its switchable 100 Hz high-pass filter removes rumble, wind noise and plosives and tightens bass. It comes in a rugged extruded chassis with metal XLR jacks and a solid rubber foot.

Key features

• Very low noise discrete mic preamp
• Switchable low cut filter at 100 Hz
• Variable impedance control, 150 Ω to 10 kΩ
• Adds clean gain: at least 20 dB, up to +27 dB
• Runs off +48 V phantom power, not passed to the microphone
• Low THD discrete circuitry (< 0.002 % at 1 kHz typ.)
• Balanced output that drives long cables
• Compact, rugged extruded chassis

Impedance and tone

The Impedance control adjusts the load the microphone sees. ART explains that dynamic microphones are sensitive to loading, and that ribbon microphones prefer an input impedance several times larger than their output impedance: a higher setting keeps their high-frequency and low-frequency response, while too low a load limits the low end and flattens the transient response. The low cut filter is a single tuned high-pass filter at 100 Hz that preserves some low frequency content, especially useful for close miked sources.

Applications

ART names live use, project studios and home and commercial installations. The RP-1 sits inline with the microphone and can be zip tied to the mic stand, so tonal adjustments can be made on the fly.

In the box

• RP-1 remote mic preamp

ART RP-1: frequently asked questions

Is the RP-1 safe for ribbon microphones?

Yes. It runs on phantom power from the mixer or preamp but does not pass it to its input.

Does it need batteries or an adaptor?

No. It needs a standard 48 V phantom power supply (8 mA) from the input it feeds.

Can I use it with a condenser microphone?

ART designed the RP-1 for dynamic and ribbon microphones; it does not pass phantom power to the microphone.

Where can I buy the ART RP-1 in India?

The ART RP-1 is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Ribbon microphone on a long cable run

Studios and stages using ribbon microphones.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the RP-1 output to the input with phantom power off and gain at minimum.
2. Connect the microphone to the RP-1 input.
3. Switch on phantom power and set the gain at the mixer; adjust the RP-1 Impedance by ear.

Tip: Phantom power does not pass through to the microphone.

Workflow 2: More level from a dynamic microphone

Live vocals, speech and instrument miking.

Connections

Setup

1. Engage phantom power on the mixer input.
2. Engage the 100 Hz Low Cut for close miked sources to remove pops and wind noise.

Tip: The RP-1 can be zip tied to the mic stand for adjustments on the fly.