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OSA FAQ: Question: What are the differences between the units - how would you describe them? Answer: MP1-A "Original": Smooth, neutral and focused midrange, airy top frequencies. Great all arounder where a more 'being there' approach is needed. Application Recommendations: Acoustic instruments of all types, vocals, overheads MP1-C "Vintage": Solid top frequencies, growly mid 70's American rock and roll sound with a punchy midrange. Application Recommendations: Pretty much anything where character is desired, but especially brighter vocals and crunchy guitar amps. Stellar on rock overheads too with brighter more modern sounding microphones. Darker mics will sound rich. MP1-L "Mutant": Solid but not accentuated low frequency range. Wide and deep soundscape with air and detail. Very detailed midrange with an open top frequency range. Presence point is around 10-12k. Application Recommendations: Vocals where air and detail are desired, percussion of all types (especially snare and toms), drum overheads with mics that are rolled off or 'dark' in the top (i.e. ribbon mics or older Neumann KM84's), 'darker' acoustic instruments (Martin acoustic guitars, upright bass, etc). MP1-L3 "Big Daddy": Smooth and fat. People compare this to many of their fav tube preamps (even though the L3 is solid state). Same soundscape as MP1-L "Mutant", but has more harmonic content in the midrange and a softer top. It has a thicker low midrange than the MP1-L, and it's presence point is slightly lower in the high mids instead of the 'air' region. Application Recommendations: Anything you want to sound classy and round (think Barry White in a tux), killer on most vocals (especially crooners AND screamers), bass guitar, guitar leads, clean electric/darker crunchy guitar amps, brighter acoustics (think Taylor), brass instruments, piano. Q: Do I need a rack to operate an OSA preamp? A: Yes. We recommend using the OSA Track Pack or Power Rack. Q: What is the difference between the OSA Track Pack and Power Rack? A: The OSA Track Pack holds 8 OSA modules and is portable with a carry along handle. The OSA Power Rack is a full 19" across and rackmountable, it holds 11 modules. Q: Does the OSA Track Pack or Power Rack come with a power supply? A: Yes. The Power supply is included when you buy a new rack. Q: Do you have anything smaller than an 8 module Track Pack? A: No. There is nothing smaller or more cost effective than the Track Pack currently on the market. Q: Why are there two knobs on the preamps? A: The top knob is the gain (up to 65db which is plenty for ribbon mics and the Shure SM-7b). The bottom knob is a 10db passive attenuator. This way you can get the proper gain for the microphone and still have the proper fine tuned output for your tape machine or A/D converter. Q: I ordered my preamp WITHOUT the DI option, but there is still a 1/4" jack on the front, did you accidently send me the wrong unit? A: No. All OSA units have a 1/4" jack on the front. See Q about line level versus DI instrument input. Q: Does the OSA have line input? A: Yes. It's your choice as to whether you would like line input, or TRUE instrument level DI input. Line input is +4 input. Instrument level is suited more for passive guitars and basses (but will work on active instruments easily as there is plenty of headroom). Q: Where is the line input located? A: Both the line input and the DI instrument input are located on the 1/4" input on the front of the unit. It is not switchable, they must be ordered with one or the other. Q: Why do I have to pay more for instrument level DI on the MP1-A, MP1-C, & MP1-L, but not on the MP1-L3? A: Actually, the MP1-L3 "Big Daddy" comes standard with the DI transformer installed on the preamp. The other three current models do not. But can be added for an additional $50. And alternatively, the DI transformer can be removed from the MP1-L3 making it $600 instead of the usual $650. Q: Why would I want line input instead of an instrument level DI? A: Many engineers like to run signals through iron core transfomers to add harmonics to the signal (alternately known as 'warmth'). You can run individual tracks through the line level input, or run full stereo mixes or subgroups through them to take advantage of the OSA iron core output transfomer. Q: I don't see an XLR on the OSA mic preamp, where am I supposed to plug in my microphone? A: An OSA microphone preamp is a modular card that plugs into our 'Track Pack' or 'Power Rack' systems. These racks provide power to the preamp cards. The XLRs are located on the back of each rack. Q: Do the OSA's have inserts on the back so I can go simutaneously to my console and also to my A/D converter to avoid latency? A: No. There is not enough room in the rack and would require extensive modifications to the 500 series format rack. We have found that most modern soundcards use direct monitoring (such as MOTU, RME, Lynx, etc) and this system of splitting the signal in this manner is no longer necessary. Q: I bought a used unit and there are no knobs, how am I supposed to tell which unit I have? A: The primary and visually discernable difference between each OSA model is the input transformer. It is the tranformer located at the bottom of the card parallel with the 1/4" jack on the front of the unit. If the transformer is round with a flat top, it is an MP1-A "Original". If the transfomer is square and not labeled, it is an MP1-C "Vintage". If the transformer is small and square and has a Lundahl 1538XL sticker on the top it is an MP1-L "Mutant". If the transformer is large and rectangular and has a Lundahl 7903 sticker on the top it is an MP1-L3 "Big Daddy". Q: What is the black box on the PCB board, is that a transformer? A: No. That is the potted op amp. Q: My OSA has three transformers (remember the opamp is black, it is not a transformer), what does three transformers mean? A: The third transformer means that you have the DI option installed on the front 1/4" jack. See question about line level versus DI input. Q: Is it an extra cost for 48V phantom power for my OSA rack? A: No. All OSA power supplies and racks provide 48v as standard for no extra cost. Q: What is the maximum voltage that phantom power will provide? A: All OSA racks provide 48v MAXIMUM as standard. There are a handful of microphones out there that require 52v, the OSA phantom power does not provide 52v, so if you use a 52v microphone it will not work on 48v power. There is nothing wrong with the racks or pres. You should check all of your microphones to see what power requirement they need, and if it requires 52v the OSA rack can be adjusted but WE NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF TIME. Q: Does the OSA 'Track Pack' or OSA 'Power Rack' use an internal power supply? A: No. All OSA powered racks use an external supply. Q: Can I rack mount my power supply? A: You can if you like if you are good @ DIY, but OSA does not provide this as an option. Please call and ask first as drilling into the PSU as this may void the warranty on it. Q: Can I rack mount the 8 module 'Track Pack'? A: We do not offer this as an option. Please call and ask first as drilling into the rack as this may void the warranty on it. If you need a rack mountable system, the Power Rack is only $100 more than the Track Pack. Q: What is the warranty on OSA product? A: Lifetime warranty to the first original owner. If you are the 2nd or more owner of the product, we extend a one year warranty from purchase date of original first owner to you. Warranty does not cover any failure due to abuse, shipping damage, (i.e. dropping the unit, using the wrong PSU, fire, attempting to modify the unit, etc, etc). Warranty does not cover shipping costs to and from the factory. Q: What is your favorite color? A: Blue, No wait.... Yellow...aaaaaarrrgggghhhh! Q: Can you make your own rack? A: You could, but you would already need to have the knowledge and experience to build electronic devices. We do not recommended building your own rack, it may void the warranty on the preamps if the rack or the homemade supply causes damage to the preamps. This would take much more knowledge and effort than just buying a ready to go new OSA rack. Q: Are OSA preamps compatible with Brent Averill and API Racks? A: Yes. All modular OSA products will work in the 500 series racks. Q: Are Brent Averill, Purple Audio, and API preamps, eqs, and compressors compatible with OSA Racks? A: Yes. All 500 series modules will work in the OSA Racks, even vintage 500 series preamps should work properly. Q: What is the color code for the preamps: A: Top Knob/Bottom Knob. white/White=MP1-A; White/Green=MP1-C; White/Black=MP1-L; Black/Black=MP1-L3. |
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