Add warmth and depth to your input signal with the Midas 502, a 500-Series microphone preamplifier featuring the very same award-winning mic pre found on the XL4 mixing console. The preamp brings out subtle ambience, maintains spatial positioning, and more effectively captures a precise sound image. The 502 has been upgraded with four discrete ultralow-noise input transistors for an even more transparent sound.
The 502 includes the classic Midas XL4 swept high-pass and low-pass filters with independent selection switches. The module features a twin aux balanced output, offering mic/line splitting capabilities when installed in the optional L6 or L10 Rack.
Note: This is a 500-Series module that requires a 500-Series rack enclosure (sold separately) to provide power and analog input and output. The module will not operate without an enclosure.
 
Overview
High performance, compact 500 Series premium Midas microphone/line preamplifier
Award-winning Midas amp has been enhanced with quad discrete ultra low noise input transistors
Legendary Midas input allows up to +24 dBu signal levels with no pad while featuring the much loved soft clipping characteristic
Classic Midas XL4 swept low and high pass filters with independent selection switches
Switchable twin aux balanced output gives you mic/line splitter capability when installed in Midas L6 or L10 racks
Unique twin precision 11 segment LED circular input and output level metering
High accuracy rotary switch gain control with 60 dB range in 5 dB steps
Output gain trim with ±20 dB range controls input and output stage coloration
Total gain range is an amazing -20 dB to +80 dB easily accommodating low output mics
Large gain trim knobs provide precise control of input and output gains
Illuminated switches for filters, +48V, polarity reverse and (TX) twin aux output enable
Power up mute relays prevent switch on thumps
Premium quality components throughout for a crystal-clear audiophile signal path
 
 
Sweet Forgiveness
Over the years, many mix engineers have found that this robust and overload-tolerant preamp design takes on a whole new dimension when driven hard. The 502 module's input stage allows up to +24 dBu signal levels with no pad requirement, while featuring the much-loved soft-clipping characteristic that provides crystal-clear audiophile reproduction with just the right amount of harmonics.
 
Classic Midas XL4 Filters
The XL4 mixers are legendary for their uncompromising sonic characteristics, impressive versatility, and ease of use. The 502 mic preamp honors that legacy by bringing back the low- and high-pass filters that helped make the XL4 so popular. The low-pass filter control adjusts the filter frequency from 1 to 40 kHz, while the high-pass filter control is adjustable from 10 to 400 Hz (in 3 dB increments).
 
Twin Balanced Outputs
The main output of the 502 module is the same electronically balanced output you will find on most Midas mixing consoles. This configuration provides an extremely clean signals, even when operating at very high signal levels. The TX switch enables the twin aux output when fitted in a Midas L6 or L10 rack, this is a second independently driven balanced output, which is identical to the main output. This gives the 502 active mic/line splitter capability for ultimate flexibility. These high-current outputs can drive longer audio cables with ease.
 
Precision LED I/O Metering
A mic preamp of this caliber requires equally accurate I/O metering, and the 502 delivers in a big way. The high precision 11-segment rotary LED meter reads the signal post amplifier/prefilter, providing input metering from -20 to + 20 dBu in 4 dB steps. A similar meter is provided for output trim adjustment from -20 to + 20 dBu in 4 dB steps.
 
High Accuracy I/O Rotary Controls
Gain control is provided by a large precision 12-position rotary switch with gain settings from 0 (unity gain) to +60 dB in 5 dB increments, while a fully variable potentiometer is provided for the output trim across a ±20 dB range. When used in combination, total maximum gain is an impressive +80 dB, more than enough to accommodate even low-level ribbon microphones. Additionally, the output trim control can be used to control coloration; the input gain can be increased to take advantage of the overload-tolerant mic amplifier, and the output trim can be used to control the output level.
 
Illuminated Switches
The 502 module has a push-button switch featuring LED illumination when activated, for fast and easy status verification. Switches include the low-pass-filter IN switch, which inserts the low-pass filter into the signal path, the high-pass-filter IN switch, which inserts the high-pass filter (both post input gain/pre output-trim), the phase-reverse switch, which inverts signal phase by 180°, the 48V switch, which supplies +48 volts of phantom power via the 500 Series Rackmount Chassis, and the twin aux output (TX) selector. Add this to the 502's brilliant metering, and you have instant at-a-glance confirmation of all preamp parameters.
 
Features
Award-Winning Midas Mic/Line Amplifier
With Quad Discrete Low-Noise Transistors
Handles Up to +24 dB Signals with No Pad
Offers Soft-Clipping Characteristics
XL4 High-Pass and Low-Pass Filters
Twin Circular 11-Seg LED Meter for I/O
60 dB of Gain in 5 dB Steps
±20 dB Trim Range for I/O
Up to +80 dB of Gain for Low Output Mics
Premium Quality Components Throughout