THAT Introduces Quietest IC Microphone Preamp
THAT1512 debuts at Barcelona AES Convention
Milford , MA – Responding to industry demand for ever higher performance, THAT Corporation (booth # 2805) has released its advanced microphone preamp IC, the THAT1512. Boasting lower noise over a wider range of gain settings than any integrated circuit preamp on the market, the 1512 offers lower distortion, wider bandwidth, faster slew rate, and reduced supply current compared to competitive models.
“The 1512 Mic Preamp IC is extraordinarily quiet at both microphone and line levels,” remarked Les Tyler, President of THAT Corporation. “Moreover, its bandwidth is nearly three times wider than that of other ICs, which results in improved distortion and transparency on a par with discrete designs. This lets the 1512 deliver discrete performance in IC form.”
According to Gary Hebert, THAT’s Chief Technology officer, “the THAT1512 is designed for the exacting requirements of professional audio equipment. At 60dB gain, its input noise — at 1 nV/root-Hertz — adds only 1.3dB noise to that of a 200Ω microphone. Yet, at 0dB gain, the 1512’s input noise rises to only 32 nV/root-Hertz — matching that of most conventional line-input stages.” Hebert added, “this makes the 1512 capable of no-compromise performance from mic to line levels — previously unheard of for an IC preamp.”
Tyler pointed out that the 1512 pin configuration is compatible with several existing industry-standard ICs whose performance it surpasses, making it a candidate for drop-in replacement in existing designs as well as the choice for new development. The part operates over a wide range of supply voltages — from ±5V to ±20V — and typically draws only 6 mA of supply current.
Applications for the new part include input stages and summing amplifiers in mixing consoles, breakout boxes, portable recording equipment, and other gear requiring a versatile, high performance microphone preamp stage at a reasonable cost.
According to Fred Floru, designer of the 1512, critical listeners are likely to find the new IC unusually transparent in part thanks to its unique construction. Floru noted “the THAT1512 is manufactured using THAT’s proprietary ‘dielectric isolation’ (DI) process which encapsulates each transistor in its own insulating well. The complete electrical isolation provided by the DI process means the 1512 more closely resembles a fully discrete design. With device interaction reduced to a minimum, we’ve nearly eliminated the stray interactions that can impinge on the audio signal and ultimately degrade a microphone preamp’s sound quality.”
The THAT1512 is available in DIP-8, SO-8, and SO-14 packages, all suitable for conventional or lead-free soldering processes. A companion part, the 1510, is available in DIP-8, and 300-mil SO16 packages. Other packages will be considered upon request. 1k pricing for the 1512 SO-8 version is $2.46, for the 1510 DIP-8 is $2.05. For more specifications of our newest IC visit the 1510/1512 product page.
About THAT Corporation
THAT Corporation, founded in 1989, designs and sells high-performance analog integrated circuits for professional audio manufacturers. THAT’s ICs include analog input and output stages, digitally controlled low-noise preamplifiers, Analog Engines® and its original line of voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCAs) – all used throughout the pro audio industry. The company also licenses patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property to the TV broadcast and reception industries. Licensed products include the dbx-tv® Total™ series of audio enhancement technology and digital implementations of legacy TV audio receiver standards. The company is headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts, with offices in Milpitas, California.
For more information, contact:
THAT Corporation, 45 Sumner Street, Milford, MA 01757-1656 , USA
Telephone: +1 (508) 478-9200; Fax +1 (508) 478-0990
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Editorial Contact:
Ken Nevard, IC Marketing Manager
Tel: +1 (508) 478-9200 x108
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