This simple design uses your own phantom power to boost dynamic and ribbon mics while protecting them from phantom power, and offering a high impedence match to open up their gain and tone!
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 phantom 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 Features
- Ultra low noise Class A JFet amplifier
- 27dB amplification (@3 KOhm load)
- Double single ended amplifier topology
- 4 matched jFets
- Shielded enclosure
- Z-in 22k
- 24-48 v phantom power
