Heritage Audio 8173 80 Series Microphone Preamp and Equalizer User Manual
- June 9, 2024
- Heritage Audio
Table of Contents
Heritage Audio 8173 80 Series Microphone Preamp and Equalizer
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the 8173 Module. Heritage Audio is dedicated to bringing you ´the sound of yesterday for tomorrow´. We specialize in capturing that unique, enticing sound that everybody has fallen in love with. For years engineers, producers and musicians have been yearning for that classic vibe. Usually the only option is to search for old, used original equipment that is almost always in a questionable state of operation. This brings with it a whole lot of other issues, making the experience less than desirable. Not to mention the very high prices asked for this equipment, which makes them virtually unobtainable for the great majority. Now it´s possible to obtain that same sound with a brand new piece that will give you all the problem- free, heavy-duty use you´ll need for years of music making history.
© 2023 Heritage Audio S.L. is the sole owner of the copyright of all information and drawings contained in this manual which are not to be copied or reproduced by any means or disclosed in part or whole to any third party without written permission. Heritage Audio reserves the right to alter specifications without notice. The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate at the time of publication. However, no responsibility is taken by us for inaccuracies, errors or omissions nor any liability assumed for any loss or damage resulting either directly or indirectly from use of the information contained within it.
DESCRIPTION
The best 80 Series sculpting tool
Leverage your 80 Series´s investment with the Heritage Audio 8173. The 8173
module is a Heritage Audio unique design, which has been engineered to fill
input module slots in the restoration process of vintage 80 Series sound
mixing consoles. It is also compatible with the Heritage Audio FRAME 8 and
RACK 2 powered enclosures, and with any other rack, console or enclosure that
follows the same mechanical and electrical protocol.
Don’t settle with the same old song, the 8173 offers what the vintage
modules do plus more
The 8173 has a Class A Mic preamp with 80 dB of gain to make sure you´re never
lacking for more. This gives you more than enough even for demanding ribbon
mics and older dynamic mics, which are often low output. With the 8173 your
mic collection has never sounded better. There is also a Class A line-level
amplifier with 10 dB of additional gain as well as -20 dB for when you need to
reduce a very high signal coming into the unit before EQing it. Both the Mic
preamp and the Line amplifier have their own separate exclusive Carnhill
transformers to guarantee solid, professional results. The 8173 is a 73-sized
module, adding the 81 mid bands to the 73 classic design, creating an
equalizer that is really hard to beat. It features a Baxandall type high shelf
band, but with the addition of a high frequency selector switch offering 3
different frequencies instead of the fixed one at 12 kHz. There are also two
Mid peak bands (Hi & Low) with 10 selectable frequencies to choose from each
in addition to the OFF position that removes the filter from the signal path.
Then you have a Low Shelf band, also of the Baxandall type, with 4 selectable
frequencies available for some incredible low end shaping. The result is a
4-band tone monster that combines the best features of the vintage modules in
a smart and tasteful way, at a price lower than most current offerings. And
not to be overlooked, the 8173 has a Class A High Pass Filter with 3
frequencies to choose from to make you can clean up the very low end allowing
more room to achieve the sound you want. Vintage connoisseurs and plug-in
users already know how cool the 81 mid bands are for sculpting sounds in a
musical way. This level of flexibility has never been present in a 73 style
module and will certainly make finding that elusive sound much easier.
To get the desired results it´s necessary to use the right components
Special care has been taken in sourcing the correct components that not only
ensure that performance will be as close to a 1970´s unit as possible, but
also gives your top-class studio the look and feel it deserves to help enhance
the overall experience. Custom polystyrene and film capacitors have been
developed to closely match the Siemens styroflex and Mullard Mustard types of
the late 60s and early 70s. This attention to detail is reflected in the
unit´s performance and is appreciated by the end user. Carnhill input
transformers are hand wound at its Oxford factory exclusively for Heritage
Audio, enclosed in vintage correct green metal cases for the ultimate in
detail nailing. The vintage character is indeed guaranteed and you won´t find
them in any other brand´s products. The Heritage Audio 8173 is entirely
handmade and hand wired by only our most experienced technicians in our
facilities in Madrid, Spain, employing the same wiring and soldering
techniques of the 70s. All its circuitry is conveniently held on 5 plug-in
cards.
GETTING STARTED
FRONT
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|
INPUT GAIN SWITCH
5 dB Steps From 20 to 80 dB in MIC mode and -20 dB to 10 dB in LINE mode
| HIGH SHELF BOOST/CUT
+/- 15 dB at Selected Frequency
| HIGH SHELF FREQUENCY
10, 12 and 16 kHz Options
| HIGH MID BOOST/CUT
+/- 15 dB at Selected Frequency
| HiGH MID PEAK FREQUENCY
Mid Band Frequency Selection
6| 7| 8| 9| 10
LOW MID BOOST/CUT
+/- 15 dB at Selected Frequency
| LOW MID PEAK FREQUENCY
Low Band Frequency Selection
| BASS SHELF BOOST/CUT
+/- 15 dB at Selected Frequency
| BASS SHELF FREQUENCY
220, 110, 60 and 35 Hz
| HIGH PASS FILTER
50 Hz
11| 12| 13| 14| 15
HIGH PASS FILTER
80 Hz
| HIGH PASS FILTER
Pressing both buttons gives a 300 Hz cut
| EQL
Turns Equalizer On
| PHASE
Flips phase 180º
| FASTENING SCREW
To secure 80 Series module in enclosure
REAR
APPLICATIONS
MIC
D.I.
LINE
SPECIFICATIONS
- Class A mic preamp with 80 dB of gain, plus a sweet-sounding 4-band EQ.
- Class A line-level amplifier with 10 dB of gain.
- Equalizer’s mid-bands cover nearly the entire audible frequency range.
- Low and high shelving EQs with Baxandall curves for smooth, natural-sounding response.
- High-pass filter, switchable between 50 Hz, 80 Hz, and 300 Hz.
- +48 V phantom power is supplied by your 80 Series chassis.
- Maximum output: Greater than +26 dBu into 600 Ω.
- THD: Less than 0.025 % at 1 kHz, Less than 0.05 % at 100 Hz.
- Frequency response: 20 Hz (+0.3 dB) to 20 kHz (-0.2 dB).
- Maximum Gain: Slightly greater than 80 dB.
- Noise: Less than -100 dBu.
- Power consumption: Less than 110 mA @ 24V DC.
- Dimensions (W x H x L): 45 mm x 224 mm x 304 mm. (Standard Series 80 Module)
SIGNAL FLOW
TROUBLE SHOOTING
| PROBLEMS | SOLUTIONS |
|---|---|
| I can´t seem to get any signal out of the 8173. | Check to make sure you have |
not left the GAIN knob in an
´OFF´ position.
I still can´t seem to get any signal out of the 8173.| Check to make sure you
have not left the OUTPUT knob turned all the way down on your rack enclosure.
Is it possible to use a bass or electric guitar with the 8173.| It certainly
is. There are two convenient DI inputs on the RACK 2 enclosure and with the
FRAME 8 or any other setups you could simply use a DI box ahead of the 8173.
How do I activate the 300 Hz low cut filter?| You must push both of the
buttons, the 50 Hz and 80 Hz buttons to access the 300 Hz cut.
I can´t figure out how to change the impedance.| There is a switch on the
backside of the module. It does require pulling the module out of the RACK 2
or SESSION 8 to access the switch. It switches between 1200 ohm and 300 Ω.
Can I simply use the Hi Shelf on the EQ without using the other bands?| Yes,
of course. You simply leave the other bands in the
´OFF´ position and they will not be in the signal path.
- For any further doubts or questions please get in contact with us at: support@heritageaudio.com
WARRANTY STATEMENT
LIMITED 2 YEAR WARRANTY
Heritage Audio 8173 Module is warranted by Heritage Audio SL to be free from
defects in materials and workmanship for the period of 2 years to the original
purchaser. In the event of such defects, the product will be repaired without
charge or, at our option, replaced with a new one if delivered to Heritage
Audio prepaid, together with a copy of the sales slip or other proof of
purchase date. The warranty excludes problems due to normal wear, abuse,
shipping damage or failure to use the product in accordance with the
specifications. Heritage Audio shall not be liable for damages based upon
inconvenience, loss of use of the product, loss of time, interrupted operation
or commercial loss or any other damages, whether incidental, consequential or
otherwise. This warranty is not transferable. Heritage Audio and the Heritage
Audio “H” logos are registered Trademarks owned and/or licensed by Heritage
Audio.
REGISTRATION
Please visit our website: https://heritageaudio.com/registration/
RECALL SHEETS
www.heritageaudio.com
HERITAGE AUDIO. C/ Alfonso Gómez, 38, 3C. 28037 Madrid – Spain. Tel: +34 917
266 189
info@heritageaudio.com
References
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