USER’S MANUAL
SERIOUSLY! Read this entire manual before plugging in and turning on the M63, or removing the top cover. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only! To prevent electric shock, do not operate the M63 near water or moisture! E L E C T R O N AU T C O M PA N Y Helvetica neue condensed black tracked like crazy, like 400 or something. Usual logo is without concentric circles. Website has the concentric circles.
ELE C T R O NAUT COMPANY Helvetica neue condensed black tracked like crazy, like 400 or something. Usual logo is without concentric circles. Website has the concentric circles.
TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTACT INFORMATION 4 CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY 5 INTRODUCTION 6 INITIAL INSPECTION 6 INSTALLATION 7 MAINS CONNECTIONS 8 OPERATION NOTES 8 FRONT PANEL 8 REAR PANEL 9 INTERNAL SETTINGS AND ADJUSTMENTS 10 CONFIGURING THE M63 FOR 115 OR 230 VOLT OPERATION 10 VU METER CALIBRATION 11 PHANTOM POWER ADJUSTMENT 11 CONFIGURING THE GROUND LIFT SWITCHES 11 OPERATION 12 POWERING UP THE M63 12 SETTING THE GAIN 12 SUGGESTIONS 13 REPLACING THE TUBES 13 REPLACING T
CONTACT INFORMATION Electronaut Company 333 N Oakley Blvd Suite #100 Chicago, IL 60612 U.S.A. info@electronaut.info (312) 212-3983 All information provided in this manual is thought to be accurate and free of errors at the time of printing; however, Electronaut Company shall not be held liable for any errors or omissions in this manual, nor any subsequent damage resulting from the use of the information in this manual.
CONFORMITY Name of Manufacturer: Electronaut Company Address of Manufacturer: 333 N. Oakley Blvd Chicago, IL 60612 U.S.A. Product: M63 Vacuum Tube Microphone & Instrument Preamplifier Declaration: The product described above complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC) and the protection requirements of the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) issued by the Commission of the European Community.
INTRODUCTION First of all, THANK YOU for adding the M63 Microphone and Instrument Amplifier to your recording system. This preamplifier has been through close to a dozen incarnations since the orginal prototype was first built back in 1999, and every version along the way improved upon some aspect of the previous one.
Ground Lift Switches Phantom Power Voltage Adjuster L i n e R i g h t O u t p u t M i c R i g h t C 1 6 C 3 0 V R 3 D 1 D 1 R 4 R 6 R R I G H T D 1 R 7 C 4 M C 1 2 V D C P O W E R L I N E V O L T A G E T L 0 7 2 R 2 4 M C C 5 R 2 3 R 2 0 C 9 R 1 9 C 1 0 R 2 2 R 2 1 C 1 0 C 9 R 2 1 R 2 2 D 5 R 1 9 R 2 3 R 2 0 D 5 C 1 1 R 2 4 H e a d e r - 1 2 C 4 C 1 1 T L 0 7 2 C 1 R 1 3 R 1 2 R 1 4 C 8 C 3 H e a d e r - 1 2 R 1 5 C 1 4 1 2 A Y 7 R 2 8 C 1 0 Q 2 C 8 C
Mains Connections The AC MAINS voltage select switch is set at the factory prior to shipping based on the shipping address or upon special request at the time of order, and is indicated on the original packaging. The standard M63 accommodates 120 volt, 60 Hz operation, as well as 230V, 50 Hz operation. DO NOT OPERATE THE M63 WITH THE LINE VOLTAGE SELECT SWITCH IN THE WRONG POSITION. For instructions on changing the line voltage setting, see page 10.
Instrument input: The instrument jack is a locking quarter-inch connector used for connecting unbalanced instrument cables to the M63. The input impedance of the instrument input jack is approximately one million ohms.
AC MAINS (IEC) connector: The IEC line voltage connector provides a means for connecting the AC mains supply voltage to the M63. Make sure the M63 is properly configured for the mains voltage you intend to use. (See page 10 to configure the M63 for proper line voltages.) The IEC connector also houses the fuse, as well as a tiny little drawer with a spare fuse. See page 14 for instructions on replacing the fuse.
VU Meter calibration The VU meters in the M63 can be set to the old standard of 0VU = +4 dBu. Alternatively, the meters can be set to a higher reference level so that the meters reach full deflection at or near the maximum level of modern digital recording systems. To set the desired reference level, follow the procedure shown below.
ever, in the event that you experience a ground loop in your system, you can try the various connection alternatives to see if they help to eliminate the problem. To make an adjustment to the Ground Lift switches, follow the procedure below: 1) Turn off the M63, unplug the AC mains cable, and wait about five minutes. 2) Remove the top cover and set it aside. 3) Slide the #1 switch to the ON position. 4) P ut the cover back on.
ping at the input stage. Don’t be afraid of the PAD! The PAD circuit consists of very low noise, high-precision resistors. If you find yourself backing off on the TRIM knob significantly, you might get better performance if you engage the PAD switch and crank the TRIM knob back up a bit. If desired, turn the ATTENUATE potentiometer fully counterclockwise and crank the TRIM control fully clockwise, then use the ATTENUATE potentiometer to set the level.
Replacing the fuse To check and/or replace the fuse, unplug the M63 from the line voltage outlet and remove the power cord from the IEC power connector. Using a small flathead screwdriver, pluck the fuse drawer out of the IEC connector. Replace the fuse if necessary with a 240V, 1A 5mm fuse (there’s a spare in the little drawer!) and re-insert the drawer into the IEC connector.
WARRANTY & REGISTRATION An initial warranty is granted to the original purchaser for a period of ninety (90) days, which warrants the M63 against defects in parts and craftsmanship, excepting vacuum tubes. An additional five (5) year warranty will be granted to the original purchaser upon registration of ownership within 30 days of purchase. The original purchaser may register ownership by mailing a letter to Electronaut, at the address shown on page page 4.
SPECIFICATIONS All specifications measured with the Attenuate potentiometer fully clockwise, 1 kHz tone at -40 dBu, Trim control set to produce +4 dBu output, driving a 20 kΩ load. Maximum Gain: Frequency Response: 63 dB 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 1 dB Microphone Input impedance: 1800 Ω Instrument Input Impedance: 1 MΩ Output Impedance: Recommended Load Impedance: 600 Ω 10 kΩ or higher Minimum Recommended Load Impedance: 600 Ω Signal to Noise Ratio: > 75 dB Max.