De-Integrating Integrated Circuit Preamps

De-Integrating Integrated Circuit Preamps (1,422k)
by Les Tyler, President, THAT Corporation
Presented at the 131st AES Convention
For many years, IC suppliers — including THAT — have offered several highly integrated analog microphone preamplifiers. These ICs are convenient and easy to use, and generally include the input-stage feedback resistors plus an output differential amplifier. While convenient, these included elements reduce the preamps’ flexibility and restrict performance in some areas compared with that obtainable from discrete designs. In this seminar, we present a new-generation of analog IC microphone preamplifiers that offer more flexibility and higher performance through selective omission of internal items. We will review the benefits and detriments of this approach, and offer many practical tips on how to get the most out of these new ICs.