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Bart HRK MPQ568C User Manual

Made by: Bart HRK
Type: User Manual
Category: Amplifier
Pages: 11
Size: 2.17 MB

 

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MPQ568C USER MANUAL

 

© BART HRK

 

 

MPQ568C 

User Manual 

 

 


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MPQ568C USER MANUAL

 

© BART HRK

 

 

 
 

READ FIRST! 

 

The MPQ568C is a studio grade professional microphone 
preamplifier with 2 Colour  Modules slots. The MPQ568C is 
fully compatible with the DIYRE Colour Format and DIYRE 
Colour Modules. 

The MPQ568C should be used for recording low level signals 
from dynamic or condenser microphones. The Line Level signal 
should be attenuated by at least -12dB (-20dB recommended) 
before sending to any input of the MPQ568C. The line level 
signal may overdrive the MPQ568C stages or the Colour 
Modules if the levels are too high. The MPQ568C principles of 
operation are different to how the DIYRE Palette works. The 
MPQ568C cannot be used as replacement for the DIYRE 
Palette.  

The behavior of Colours may vary depending on settings and 
configuration. Colour Modules from different manufacturer 
may behave differently when compared to HRK Colour 
Modules. All HRK Colour Modules are compatible with DIYRE 
Colour Format. 

Improper use of the MPQ568C may create unwanted results, 
such as noise or audible distortions. 

User should learn basics of acoustic engineering before use of 
any professional recording equipment.  

 

 

 


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MPQ568C USER MANUAL

 

© BART HRK

 

 

THE FIRST USE OF MPQ568C – IMPORTANT! 

 

1.

 

Set the GAIN Knob to minimum (max left) 

2.

 

Set the COLOURS level knob to maximum (max right) 

3.

 

Disengage all Colour Modules – Switch C1 and C2 toggle positioned 
downwards. 

4.

 

Set EQ section 2 knobs to 12 o’clock position – flat response 

5.

 

Connect the condenser microphone to rear XLR connector 

6.

 

Switch the DI/Mic switch to Mic 

7.

 

Switch ON the phantom Power – toggle UP - check the 48V LED – it should 
be ON. 

8.

 

Set the input gain of the audio interface to minimum 

9.

 

Switch of any PAD or input attenuator on the interface. 

10.

 

 DO NOT use the line input with built-in attenuator – it will worsen the 
quality of any recording.  

 

Increase the gain level with the GAIN knob until the desired level of the signal is 
achieved. Observe the DAW VU meter. Do not overdrive the input of the audio 
interface.  Check  that  the  loudest  possible  transient  will  not  overdrive  signal 
chain!  Gain  between  the  +20dB  and  +30dB  is  sufficient  for  most  of  standard 
modern condenser microphones. Make the test recording before proceeding any 
further.  
 

Adding Colours: 

MPQ568C is the recording preamplifier. Colour Modules should be used mainly 
for  recording.  After  establishing  optimal  recording  level  from  the  MPQ568C 
engage  (upwards  position)  the  C1/C2  switch.  The  HUE  LED  should  be  ON.  The 
GAIN  knob  will  control  how  hard  the  colour  module  will  be  driven.  More  gain 
means  more  drive.  It  is  recommended  to  install  the  drive  dependent  colours 
such as British Console or Discrete Saturation in the first colour slot.  
If more gain is required to drive the colour modules the COLOURS level knob can 
be used to reduce the output signal from the MPQ568C.  
Please note:  The COLOURS level knob is not a BLEND knob. It controls the total 
level of the output signal from colours sent to EQ section, which then comes out 
from  MPQ568C  output.  It  should  be  used  to  trim  the  output  signal  from 
MPQ568C to desired and safe level, which won’t  overdrive  the  next stage such 
the audio interface.  
Line level signal should be attenuated by at least -12dB (-20dB is recommended) 
before  sending  to  any  input  of  the  MPQ568C.  Use  of  the  colour  modules  with 
line  level  signals  may  result  with  oversaturation  of  the  colour  modules.  In  such 
event simply reduce the signal level which is sent to the MPQ568C.  
 

 


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MPQ568C USER MANUAL

 

© BART HRK

 

 

List of content: 

 

 

1.

 

The Microphone Preamplifier Section. 

2.

 

The Colour Section. 

3.

 

The Equaliser Section. 

4.

 

The Direct Input Section. 

5.

 

The EQ / Colour Signal Routing. 

 

  

 

 


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MPQ568C USER MANUAL

 

© BART HRK

 

 

1.

 

The Microphone Preamplifier Section. 

 

1

 

– 

Microphone / DI Gain 

- this control sets the total gain of the 

MPQ568C. Values shown on the scale are approximately equal to 
the total gain of the MPQ568C from input to output. The gain range 
is from +12dB to +65dB. The signal sent to the colour section is 
always 6dB lower than the total gain set by the Gain Control Knob. 
 

NOTE:

 On higher gain setting (+40 - +65dB) the noise flor might be 

audible. This is normal at higher gain levels.  

2

 

– 

Phantom Power LED

 indicates the presence of the +48V on the 

rear panel microphone input. The LED is connected to the +48V main 
power supply rail. If the LED is not working it may indicate the failure 
of the main power supply. 

3

 

– 

Phantom Power switch

 – turns ON and OFF the Phantom 

+48V supply voltage. UP switch position shown on the picture 
enables the Phantom supply. 

4

 

– 

Phase Inverse switch

 – inverses the phase of the output signal 

from the MPQ568C. UP switch position shown on the picture 
inverses the output signal phase. 

 


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MPQ568C USER MANUAL

 

© BART HRK

 

 

2.

 

The Colour Section. 

 

 

1

 

– 

Colours 

Level Control – sets the total output level from the colour 

section which is passed to the EQ section. In the default EQ/Colour 
routing configuration this control sets the level from 1 and 2 colour 
slots connected in series. In the 12 o’clock knob position the total 
output signal level from the MPQ568C is attenuated by 15dB. 

IMPORTANT: 

Colours

 Knob is not a Blend Knob! It is simply a volume control. On 

the min/left position the signal will disappear completely. On the 
max/right position the signal will be on it’s maximum level. Please 
see the signal flow diagram.  

Colour modules are connected in series. No parallel operation of 
colour modules is possible. Please see the signal flow diagram. 

2

 

– 

C1 and C2

 switch enables the colour slot 1 and 2. Switch positions 

shown on the picture enable colour slots. 

1

 

– 

Colour HUE LED’s

 - indicate which Colour Module is active. 

The colour of the light emitted by the LED will be unique for 
different Colour Module type. 

 

 

 


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MPQ568C USER MANUAL

 

© BART HRK

 

 

3.

 

The Equalizer Section. 

 

 

1, 3 – 

Top and Low Shelf EQ Control

 – set the Boost or Cut for 

high and low frequency. Maximum Boost/Cut is +/-15dB. 

2, 4 – 

Frequency Selector / Engage switches

 – 3 position switches – 

the middle position will disengage Top or Low band equalization. 
The signal will be passed by the Germanium OPAMPs even if the 
equalization is disengaged. 

 

 

NOTE: 

Please use the EQ wisely. Do not overdrive the EQ on purpose. Such improper use 
may damage the EQ Discrete Opamps. 

 

 


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MPQ568C USER MANUAL

 

© BART HRK

 

 

4.

 

The Direct Input Section. 

 

 

1

 

– 

Direct / Instrument Input

 – High impedance discrete unbalanced 

instrument / direct input. The gain of the 

DI 

is controlled by the main 

Gain 

knob in the Microphone Preamplifier section. The gain range is 

from +12dB to +65dB. 

2  – 

The  Mic/DI  Input  selector  switch

  –  selects  the  input  signal 

source  between  the  rear  Microphone  Input  and  the  front  panel 
Instrument / Direct Input. 

 
 

Note: 
*  The  Direct  Input  uses  special  ultra-high  impedance  active  circuitry. 
Remember  to  be  very  careful  when  connecting  the  instrument  cable, 
especially at high Gain settings.  
 

 


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MPQ568C USER MANUAL

 

© BART HRK

 

 

5.

 

The EQ / Colour Signal Routing. 

 
 

 

 

Picture shows the Default Routing setting. 
Signal is sent from the Mic/DI input to the 
both Colour Modules. The 

Colours 

level 

control and the EQ section is placed after 2 
colour modules. The 

Colours 

control knob 

sends the signal to the EQ. Signal from the EQ 
section is passed to the output. 
Both Colour Modules are effected by the EQ. 

MPQ568C is shipped in the default routing   
setting. 

The Alternative Routing, post EQ setting. Signal 
is sent from the Mic/DI input to the first Colour 
Module. The 

Colours 

level control and the EQ 

section is placed after the first Colour Module. 
The 

Colours 

control knob sends the signal only 

from the first Colour to the EQ. Signal from the 
EQ section is passed to the second colour slot. 
Only the first Colour Module is effected by the 
EQ. Signal from the second colour is passed to 
the output. 

 


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MPQ568C USER MANUAL

 

© BART HRK

 

 

 

 

 


background image

MPQ568C USER MANUAL

 

© BART HRK