Quartet II: Mercenary Edition Tube Recording Channel

The All-In-One Tracking Tool with Attitude

The Quartet II is not an update nor a replacement for our very popular Quartet, but complementary unit that incorporates a substantially different combination of elements. Designed with the input of Fletcher of Mercenary Audio, many additional options have been provided to tailor the texture of the audio character for maximum musical flexibility.

The tube Mic/DI preamp has the unique option of being able to switch between two markedly different sounding input transformers and loading options. The DI can handle pickups, keyboards, or line-level signals. The mic preamp also features phantom power, input pad, phase reversal, and a switchable lo-cut filter. Independent gain and output controls permit overdrive of the tube stage to vary the harmonic content of the preamp.

The delta-mu compressor, derived from the popular ES-8, has the classic compression profile of the Fairchild 660 and 670 limiters. It can be used in one of five modes: Fast, Faster, Vintage (with program-dependent response), Average (rms responding), or full manual operation. It also features a switchable sidechain high pass filter to decrease the sensitivity of the compressor to low frequency content.

The new 3 band tube Passive/Aggressive Equalizer is a modern take on the classic inductor-based passive EQ. It features simultaneous Lo Shelf boost and cut, Mid Dip and Hi Peak bands. The Aggressive mode increases the saturation of the EQ circuit to add harmonic content. In addition, the EQ can be placed before or after the compressor with the flip of a switch.

The new JFET/MOSFET Peak Limiter uses a novel approach to brickwall analog limiting, with JFET and MOSFET modes for two different characters of peak limiting, and accurate led metering in 1 dB increments. Unlike other designs, the peak limiter adds no appreciable distortion below threshold.

Specifications

These are the general specifications. See page 17 of the Quartet II operating manual for all detailed specifications– Mic/DI Preamp, Equalizer, Delta-Mu Compressor, and Peak Limiter.

Circuit Type: Class A vacuum tube design with transformerless or transformer-balanced output
Vacuum Tubes: (2) ECC83/12AX7A, (2) 6922/6DJ8, (1) 6ES8/ECC189
Power: 120V, 45W (240Vac optional)
Power Supplies: +300Vdc, + 250Vdc, +6.3Vdc, +12.6Vdc , ± 18Vdc, +15Vdc, +10Vdc, fully regulated with soft-start warm-up and output muting warm-up and output muting

Dimensions

2U Enclosure: 19" x 3.5" x 12.5" (48.2 x 8.8 x 31.8 cm)
Weight: 15lbs (6.8kg)

Fast Features

An enhanced version of the Mic/DI Tube Preamp from the MDP-1 with switchable mic input transformers and input loading · The delta-mu Tube Compressor/Limiter from the ES-8 with additional sidechain modes · A new inductor-based Passive Tube EQ with HI Peak, MID Dip and LO Boost/Cut bands and a harmonic-rich 'Aggressive' Mode · A new brickwall analog peak limiter with JFET or MOSFET modes · The Mic/DI, EQ, Compressor and Peak Limiter can be patched out and used independently · Transformerless or transformer-balanced main output · Gold-plated switch contacts, I/O connectors and tube sockets · Polypropylene caps and metal film resistors (pairs matched to 0.1%) · Fully regulated high voltage, filament and bipolar power supplies with soft-start warm-up and output muting · Custom toroidal power transformer with shield for minimum hum · 120V or 240V ac voltage switch on the rear panel · Handcrafted in the USA

Notes:
0dBu = 0.775 Vrms
All noise measurements are unweighted, 20 - 20,000 Hz bandwidth
All Specifications are subject to change without notice