Joemeek oneQ2 Deluxe Microphone Preamplifier and Optical Compressor

No longer available at zZounds
Plug a mic or instrument into the oneQ2, tweak it with Joemeek optical compression and switchable transformer coupling, and output digitally at up to 96 kHz.

Joemeek's oneQ2 raises the bar for studio master channels. Starting with Joemeek's original OneQ preamp/compressor, the OneQ2 adds a host of technological advances. Here are a few changes that Joemeek implemented in the OneQ2:

The microphone input transformer is permanently assigned to the "Mic" Input. The "IRON" switch now optionally sends the "Line" input through the transformer, to add some coloration to Line sources. The input "GAIN" control now operates over the range 18 dB to 60 dB, with improved resolution in the crucial 25 dB-45 dB range. Microphone inputs up to +4 dBu can be accommodated without distortion (+24 dBu by using the "PAD" switch).

As before, with the "LINE" input selected the gain is unity (0 dB) at the top of the dial; the gain range is now -19 dB to +22 dB. The "INSTRument" input now has a gain range of 0 dB to +40 dB. "PEAK" LEDs now light at +16 dBu (2 dB below Full Scale Digital).

A single channel combining Mic Pre (featuring Cinemag microphone transformers), four band EQ, the most flexible of any Joemeek ever, their "signature" optical compressor, De-Esser, and Enhancer, it's a master channel like no other. Housed in a 2u chassis, the elegantly sculpted faceplate is intelligently laid out, with clear, easy to read legends and a large analog VU meter. They even included 24-bit, 96K A/D converters with word clock input and output.

Digital Interface

The Joemeek Digital Audio Interface provides high quality digital audio outputs plus the ability to read more synchronize to an external word clock. The digital audio outputs are compatible with most digital recorders, as well as Digital Audio Workstations and mixers. S/PDIF format is available from the RCA phono connectors, while the transformer coupled XLR connector provides an AES3 compatible output.

The Joemeek Digital Interface has highly stable onboard master clocks for low-jitter, hi-fi results. Internal sample rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz are selected by means of rear panel switches. 44.1 kHz is the standard used for audio CD's, while 48 kHz and 96 kHz are widely used in recording studios. In general, the higher the sample rate, the better the audio fidelity, but the more disk space is required for the recording. For example, recording at 96 kHz requires twice as much storage as 48kHz. Consult the manual of your recorder or DAW as to what sample rates it will accommodate.

Alternatively the oneq2 may be set to the frequency of an external master word clock, generated, for example, by the studio's recorder or DAW. When connected to the BNC socket provided, a suitable external word clock will be detected automatically and will override the twinQ's internal word clock.

The front panel LED labelled 'EXT CLK' illuminates when the oneq2 is successfully locked to an external word clock. To avoid distortion, care should be taken not to overdrive the input to the Digital Interface. The red LED next to the Output Gain control is labeled "PEAK FSD" which stands for "Full Scale Digital". Occasional flashes are OK but if it is on all the time, turn something down!
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- Input impedances: Mic: 1.2kohm; Line: 20kohm
- Pre-amp overall gain: 10dB to 60dB (variable)
- Common mode rejection: 70dB
- Equivalent input noise: -128.5dBu (unweighted)
- Distortion: 0.001% (below Compressor threshold)
- Frequency response: 15Hz to 70kHz (-3dB)
- Maximum input before clipping:
- Mic: +21dBu; Line: +45dBu
- Headroom before clipping: +21dBu
- Compressor threshold:
- ()()dBu to -20dBu (variable)
- Compressor ratio: 1:1 to 10:1 (variable)
- Compressor attack time:
- 1 msec to 100 msec (adaptive)
- Compressor release time: 0.1 sec to 3 sec (adaptive)
- Nominal output levels:
-- +4dBu/-10dBv
- Output impedance: 100ohm
- Output Level switch:
-- 12dB attenuation
- Noise Floor: -85 dBu (typical, with ~40 dB mic gain)
- VU Meter:
-- Analogue movement
- Power supply: 115V / 230V ac mains, 50/60Hz
- Power consumption:
-- 30W
- Mechanical: 482W x 88H x 220D (overall)
- Weight: 3 kilos
- High Pass Filter: 12 dB per octave cut below 80Hz
- EQ Boost & Cut:
-- +/-15 dB (zero phase-shift bell response)
- LF Frequency :
-- 80 Hz/120 Hz switchable
- LMF Frequency :
-- 200 Hz to 2 kHz variable
- HMF Frequency :
-- 1 kHz to 6 kHz variable
- HF Frequency :
-- 7 kHz/14 kHz (selectable)
- EQ "Q"
-- 0.9 (1.6 octaves

Digital Output Specifications:
- Sampling: 24 Bit
- Resolution: 24-bit delta sigma using Wolfson WM8738 ADC
- Sampling Rate: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz selectable
- Output Formats: AES3 compliant (balanced), S/PDIF electrical
- Oversampling: This is [sample frequency divided by twice the bandwidth]. So for a 20kHz bandwidth sampled at 96kHz, oversampling = 2.4x.
- However the term oversampling is sometimes confused with [clock frequency divided by sample rate]. In the DB-1 that would be 256x at 96 kHz
- Noise Floor:- typically 92dB A-weighted (referenced to 0 dBFS = +18 dBu). So for a +4 dBu signal, the SNR is 78 dB
- Distortion:- typically 0.01% @ 0 dBu (20 Hz - 20 kHz) at 96 kHz sample rate
- typically 0.02% @ 0 dBu (20Hz - 20kHz) at 48 kHz sample rate
- typically 0.02% @ -1 dBFS (20Hz - 20kHz) at all sample rates
- External Word Clock input: 75 ohm, 1.25V - TTL level, 44.1 kHz to 96 kHz (auto synchronizing)
- Crosstalk: typically -67 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 877-563-6335

No longer available at zZounds

In most cases, a product is unavailable because it has been discontinued by the manufacturer