Mercenary Audio - API 512c 500 Series Mic Preamp and DI

As an industry standard for three decades, the 512 preamp discrete circuit embodies the famous API sound; round, fast, present, and with a nice hint of harmonic color. Its versatility makes the 512 (or the API 312 preamp, an identical circuit) an essential studio tool. As with all of the API 500 devices, the heart and soul of the module is the famous API 2520 discrete op-amp. You can use the 512’s 65db of gain with almost any mic, any sound-source, and any style of music, be it polite or snotty.

API 512 features

The API 512C is a mic/line/instrument preamp designed to provide a low noise, unusually good sounding front end for all types of audio systems. Offering low noise (-129 EIN) and 65 dB of gain, the 512C includes phantom power, switchable polarity, -20 dB pad and Mic/Line or Instrument selector. Front panel XLR and 1/4 inch connectors combined with rear panel mic access allows for additional flexibility when installed in an API LunchBox, Six Pack, 10 position vertical rack, a 2 position horizontal rack, or an API console.

What makes the API 512C unique is its long evolution from the original 1967 era 512, the first modular mic pre, to the current full featured 512C, while preserving the original sound character that made it so much a part of the early days of recording. Offering high headroom and a wide variety of inputs and input access points, it is ideal for unusual and demanding applications.

Imagine a situation where only a few preamps are needed, yet the smallest available console has a proportionally "small" mic preamp, making it useless for the demanding application, or conversely, imagine where you need a large number of preamps, and a console of sufficient inputs and quality would be too large to transport or rack mount. The 512C hits the spot with its quality and famous tone. Expand, combine or downsize at any time without trade-ins or product obsolescence. In addition, the 512C's sound and performance exceeds most "console mic pres" in every respect.

The 512C Mic/Line Preamp makes use of the 2510 and 2520 op-amps and therefore exhibits the reliability, long life, and uniformity which are characteristic of API products.

Mic Preamp with 65 dB of gain
Front and Back Panel Mic Input Access
Line/Instrument Preamp with 50 dB of gain
Front and Back Panel Line/Instrument Input
LED VU meter for monitoring output level
20 dB pad switch, applies to mic/line/instrument
48v Phantom switchable power
Traditional API fully discrete circuit design
Uses the famous API 2520 Op-Amp

SPECIFICATIONS

Rear Connector: Output on edge connector, Mic Input on edge connector
Front Connectors: XLR Mic Input, Hi-Z 1/4" unbalanced input
Gain Range: 10dB - 65dB (Mic), 14dB - 50dB (Hi-Z)
Maximum Input Levels: +8dBu (Mic), +36dBu (Hi-Z)
Input Impedance: 1500Ω (Mic), 20KΩ (Hi-Z)
Output Impedance: Less than 75Ω, Transformer Balanced
Clipping Level: +30dBu
Frequency Response: +0, -.3, 30Hz - 20kHz
Equivalent Input Noise: -129 (Mic), -125 (Hi-Z)
Actual Metered Noise: -95dBu (Mic), -90dBu (Hi-Z)
Distortion: Less than .05% @ +4 Out, Less than .1% @ +28 Out

RACK FRAME AND POWER SUPPLY OPTIONS

500B6 Lunchbox - Six position "lunchbox" with internal power supply
500V - Ten position, rackmountable frame with external power supply
API Legacy Consoles and vintage API Consoles.

MANUALS & PDFs

API 512 Product Information Adobe pdf

API 512 Recall Sheet Adobe pdf

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