Actifier
Possibly the smallest device that we will ever manufacture, yet one that can completely transform a small recording setup, lifting it out of annoying noise floors and questionable signal levels.
This little inline amplifier goes between any passive microphone and your mic preamp / audio interface. It is powered from Phantom power and gives ample clean gain with lots of headroom. It does not allow the phantom power out to the microphone itself.
It is built within robust Neutrik components and connectors, ensuring a long lasting product that can withstand extreme levels of use and abuse, whether it be on the road touring or in the studio.
Because we know that not everyone’s application or needs are the same we offer two versions of this brilliant little device;
14dB gain with low impedance input of 1000 ohms (only available from us)
This low gain version has been particularly loved by people wanting the microphone to be impedance loaded similarly as to when it is plugged into a vintage mic preamp. This can tend to hold a certain timbre and frequency response that may disappear when using a typical high impedance inline amplifier. It is also not always necessary to have as much as 29dB of gain.
29dB gain with high impedance input of 1 Mega-ohm (from our resellers)
This higher gain version is more typical of what is offered on the market from other manufacturers, yet it has just a few dB more than most, for those demanding applications with low output microphones, low output singers, and budget mic preamps / audio interfaces.
One reason why such devices became popular is because of the unavoidable fact that most mic preamps have their worst noise performance at their maximum gain setting. This means that using your SM7 or your vintage ribbon mic with gain set to max gives you the worst performance from that mic preamp.
Add an inline amplifier and now you can bring that preamp gain back to a much better place, where noise is unnoticeable and your signal is clearer and louder due to the inline amp.
Another advantage to using such inline amplifiers is that they serve to buffer the signal. This is particularly useful when long cable runs are present, such as is the case in large Studios with multiple performance rooms. The robust 300 ohm balanced output of the Actifier drives long cable runs with ease, where any cable capacitance or interconnect resistance has little to no effect on degrading the signal.
Ordering
You can purchase our High-gain Actifier from our friends at Extinct Audio in the UK. Currently the low gain Actifier and any custom-built units are only available directly from us. Here are the prices which exclude any VAT or shipping costs. Any local VAT and import costs are the responsibility of the buyer. All our products carry a full 2-year warranty, with technical support.
Actifier - Low Gain : 20,000 ISK (Icelandic Krona)
Actifier - High Gain : 20,000 ISK (Icelandic Krona)
If you would like to know more, or to place your order, please send us an email: info@atomicanalog.com
OEM Customers
We also supply our Actifiers as PCBs ready to be fitted into your product. For example to add active circuitry to a passive ribbon microphone. We also provide versions of the Actifier for use with piezo pickups and electret mic capsules. Just get in touch with us if you would like to know more. (Minimum order quantities may apply)