Empirical Labs EL-9 User Manual
Mike-e, Empirical labs, Mic preamp with some new tricks
Mike-E
Warranty and Factory Service
This Empirical Labs Inc. product is covered by a limited warranty covering full parts and labor
for 2 years from the purchase date. The warranty is only effective if the owner has returned his or her
warranty card. See warranty card for further details.
Should problems arise, call Empirical Labs at 973 541 9447 or visit our website below, then
pack the unit up well1, with a note explaining the problem and return to Empirical Labs for repair.
Include your name, address, phone number, and the date of purchase. Send the unit with freight
prepaid to the address below:
Empirical Labs, Attn Repairs.
41 N. Beverwyck Rd.
Lake Hiawatha, NJ. 07034
We can also be reached on the Web at www.empiricallabs.com by selecting “CONTACT” and then
“Techsupport” to email repair requests or information to Empirical Labs.
1) Pack the unit in original carton if possible. Otherwise, pack with bubble pack and /or foam in a
thick corrugated box. Shipping people are absolutely brutal to large packages and you must take
every precaution against constant dropping, throwing, and crushing. We are not liable for products
damaged during shipping.
Other Empirical Labs Products:
1)
Distressor EL8 - Classic Knee Compressor. Used on thousands of major records.
2)
Distressor EL8X - The original Distressor on Steroids. Can emulate 1176 all-buttons-in mode.
3)
Fatso Jr – Two channels of Full Analog Tape Simulation and Optimization
4)
Lil FrEQ – An EQ with 8 Sections of unparalleled tonal contouring.
5)
EL500 – Best 2 slot API compatible powered rack made
6)
DocDerr – Tone Doctor, and Empirical Labs’ first API 500 Compatible compressor.
Upgrades
There are elements inside the Mike-E that were designed to be "modifiable". Although we cannot
guarantee it at this time, Empirical Labs may release information and hardware options that will allow
owners to alter performance parameters of their
Mike-E. Most of these modifiable elements will
probably not improve the performance, but will offer other very cool signal processing variations. If
you have sent in a properly filled out warranty card, we will keep you apprised of these
developments.
Do not attempt to modify or make adjustments to your Mike-E until you have notified Empirical
Labs and been sent the necessary information. There are a number of critical adjustments that
cannot be made properly without the calibration tools we have here at the factory. Any sign of
internal adjustment by the user will void your warranty with the exception of changing the fuses or
line voltage selection.
Empirical Labs Inc. takes no responsibility for the safety of anyone
opening the Mike-E for any reason. There are dangerous voltages present when unit is
plugged in. Refer unit to properly qualified service center or return to factory.
Technology for the Artist
Mic Preamp With Some New Tricks
INDEX
Page
Item
Setting Mic Gain! – The “Clip Test”
3-6 Example Settings of the EQ
12 Section Details (Continued)
13 Stereo Operation (Using the Link Comp)
13 Fuse Replacement, and AC Voltage Select
Empirical Labs -
Technology for the Artist
Empirical
Labs
OUT
Line
20 25
30 35
40 45
50 55
10
60
Bad!
Clip
INST.
IN
(Auto Sense)
80Hz
48V!
Toasty
Warm
HF Emphasis
Link Comp
20
BYP
Nuke
1:1
2:1 4:1
8:1
Dry
.5
.25
.05
.1
100mS
20
.9mS
8
PHANT
COMP MODE
16
13
10
8
5
3
1
RATIO
ATTACK
RELEASE
MIX
Comp
PHASE
GAIN (dB)
mS
Sec
Ratio
(Hi-Z)
DRIVE
0
1
2
3
4
6 7
8
9
10