Heritage Audio HA 81A EQ Microphone Preamp-EQ User Manual
- June 9, 2024
- Heritage Audio
Table of Contents
Heritage Audio HA 81A EQ Microphone Preamp-EQ
Thank you for choosing the Elite Series HA-81A EQ. 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.
Peter Rodriguez
CEO
Heritage Audio – Madrid, Spain
© 2022 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
- Heritage Audio’s HA-81A EQ is a mix of 2 of the most famous classic console circuits, combining one´s preamp with the other´s EQ section. It´s a channel strip built with an all discrete, Class A 73-style mic preamp with an extremely versatile and musical console style equalizer — arguably a popular trick for recreating that classic sound sought by all recording engineers, artists and producers.
- The HA-81A’s preamp section is a powerful 80dB, all discrete Class A design with Carnhill St Ives input and output transformers, the same ones found in the other Elite Series modules. The preamp features a 2-stage, stepped gain knob for easy recall and a fully adjustmentable output trim. Also available are a -20 db pad, a polarity reverse button, +48 V phantom power and switchable impedance for optimizing the preamp’s response to a variety of microphones.The HA-81A EQ preamp section delivers a solid Class A sound with a harmonically rich bottom end, musical but focused mids as well as sparkling and airy highs.
- The HA-81A EQ includes a very comprehensive equalizer section with an exceptionally musical 4 band, inductor-based equalizer. We´ve also incorporated high quality 18 dB 3-pole high and low pass filters for total tonal control. Where 3 band equalizers such as the typical 73-style exceed at musicality but may be short of features, the HA-81A EQ excels at both. There is also control over Shelf or Bell response curves on the high and lows, dedicated high and low mid bands with dual Q options, and a range of 40 frequency selections to choose from
- The Heritage HA-81A EQ utilizes only rotary switches and precision, concentric potentiometers. And like all of the products in our Elite range, the HA-81A EQ is built with the most cutting edge methods in manufacturing and design, without ever compromising audio quality or cutting corners — all at the Heritage Audio headquarters in Madrid-Spain.
- All in all the HA-81A EQ is a fantastic choice, providing a professionally processed signal that´ll take your recordings to the next level.
GETTING STARTED
FRONT
REAR
APPLICATIONS
- MIC
- D.I.
- LINE
SPECIFICATIONS
- Microphone input impedance: High=1200 Ω minimum; Low=300 Ω minimum. Higher gain positions gradually have greater impedances, optimum for low gain ribbon mics. Input is transformer balanced and floating.
- Line input impedance: 10 kΩ bridging, transformer balanced and floating.
- Output impedance: Less than 75 Ω, Carnhill transformer balanced and floating, to drive a load of 600 Ω (Factory terminated).
- D.I. input impedance: Greater than 2 MΩ, unbalanced.
- Maximum output: Greater than +26,5 dBu into 600 Ω (internally terminated).
- 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).EQ Off.
- Maximum Gain: Slightly greater than 80 dB.
- Output stage noise: Less than -100 dBu.
- Power consumption: Less than 150 mA @48 V DC.
- Dimensions (W x H x L): 482 mm x 44 mm (1 Rack unit) x 184 mm.
SIGNAL FLOW
TROUBLE SHOOTING
| PROBLEMS | SOLUTIONS |
|---|---|
| There doesn´t appear to be any signal at all arriving at the back XLR. | Make |
sure the GAIN knob is not in the ´Off´ position.
There still doesn´t appear to be any signal at all arriving at the back XLR.|
Check to see if a jack cable has been left plugged into the front panel D.I.
Condenser microphones don´t seem to work with HA-81A EQ.| Make sure the red
+48 V button is pressed in to activate the phantom power sent to the
microphone.
There doesn´t seem to be any output at all from the unit.| Check to see if the
OUTPUT knob is fully turned down as this will attenuate the signal completely.
Sending a signal to the unit from a DAW overloads it terrible.| It is
necessary to be in the LINE GAIN section when sending it a line level
source.And use the XLR LINE Input as it expects a signal with a very different
impedance and level.
The Equalizer doesn´t seem to be working.| Make sure you have pushed the EQL
button to activate it.
My mid band boost seem to be too sharp.| Check to see if you have the ´HI Q´
button pushed.
For any further doubts or questions please get in contact with us at: [email protected]
WARRANTY STATEMENT
LIMITED 2 YEAR WARRANTY
Heritage Audio HA-81A EQ 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
[email protected]