Joemeek MicroMeek MQ3 User Manual
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Joemeek MicroMeek MQ3 User Manual

Professional recording interface
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MicroMeek MQ3
- User's guide
MicroMeek MQ3
Professional recording interface
User's Guide
The MicroMeek MQ3 is a piece of precision electronics designed to get the
absolute best performance out of a musical instrument, microphone,
recorder and the final mix. Read the instructions carefully; they have been
written as a result of practical experience.
Ted Fletcher

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Summary of Contents for Joemeek MicroMeek MQ3

  • Page 1 MicroMeek MQ3 Professional recording interface User's Guide The MicroMeek MQ3 is a piece of precision electronics designed to get the absolute best performance out of a musical instrument, microphone, recorder and the final mix. Read the instructions carefully; they have been written as a result of practical experience.
  • Page 2 MicroMeek MQ3 - User's guide...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Ted Fletcher This instruction book was written by Ted Fletcher; the designer of the original JOEMEEK compressor and the whole JOEMEEK range of professional audio equipment. Ted worked in the studio with Joe Meek, the legendary record producer, in the mid 1960s.

  • Page 4: What It Is

    - User's guide THE JOEMEEK MQ3 WHAT IT IS The JOEMEEK MicroMeek MQ3 is an input conditioner. A microphone or musical instrument preamplifier designed to bridge the gap between the performing musician and the recording studio. It has been designed specially to be easy to operate, yet will give the finest professional 'glitter' to the sound;...
  • Page 5 As well as giving the best performance with keyboards, guitars and basses, the MQ3 is also designed to work well with the best capacitor microphones; it is particularly good with the JOEMEEK JM47, Neumann range, the AKG C414, Microtech Gefell, and Audio Technicas.

  • Page 6: What's In It

    THE JOEMEEK COMPRESSOR And now for the part of the JOEMEEK MQ3 that gives it character; - the compressor. It can pull voices forward, control recording volume levels, help with internal mix balance, and add 'presence' to your sound.

  • Page 7: The Meequalizer

    Generally, (I know I'm over simplifying) modern VCA compressors sound muddy and flat, while old compressors sound lively and retain sparkle. The compressor in the JOEMEEK MQ3 is unique; it is a recreation of an early photoelectric compressor in use in the mid 1960's. It is capable of producing the same punchy sounds that were so characteristic of the pop records of the time: I know;...

  • Page 8: Mq3 Control Explanations

    MicroMeek MQ3 - User's guide The general rule about using EQ is to be very careful about too much 'lift'. Increasing the gain by say 10dB in the high frequencies has the effect of taking the MQ3 closer to overload. This is generally OK as the MQ3 is designed with very generous overload margins, but when using EQ this has to be remembered.
  • Page 9 MicroMeek MQ3 - User's guide electronics are driven hard before the gain has been controlled by the light cells. The cells catch up and over-compress momentarily giving a tiny dip immediately following the start of the 'note'. This is best demonstrated when recording drums.

  • Page 10: Making It Go

    MicroMeek MQ3 - User's guide MAKING IT GO CONNECTING YOUR MQ3 The MQ3 can be used in many applications, from recording to live work. This section will help you get connected as well as explaining the connections on the MQ3 to help you get the most from your Pro Channel.

  • Page 11: Mq3 Inputs And Outputs

    - User's guide MQ3 INPUTS AND OUTPUTS MICROPHONE. The microphone input is an XLR connector. All microphone impedances and types are suitable for the JOEMEEK CurrentSense circuit. Connections are: Pin 1 is ground or screen. Pin 2 is positive phase or 'hot' Pin 3 is negative phase (or ground for unbalanced).

  • Page 12: Using The Input Amplifier

    There is always the danger (particularly with the smooth response of the JOEMEEK compressor) of increasing the input gain too far and causing...

  • Page 13: Using The Equalizer

    MicroMeek MQ3 - User's guide excessive noise or even distortion; it's easy to apply 20dB of compression without realising it! USING THE EQUALIZER Always start with the equalizer controls set to '0' (the control knobs set vertical). Experiment with combinations of settings of EQ always trying to picture how the audio signal will be affected by changing the frequency bands.
  • Page 14 MicroMeek MQ3 - User's guide JOEMEEK MicroMeek Professional Studio Interface CurrentSense mic pre - Optical Compressor - Meequalizer 700ms 800ms -12 -6 ¥ 11ms 125ms 1.5s Compression Attack Release High Out Vol (80Hz) (1.8kHz) (8kHz) O/L dB Input Meter Input Gain...

  • Page 15: Common Problems

    MicroMeek MQ3 - User's guide COMMON PROBLEMS 1) The microphone doesn't work! - Check cabling, and always use XLR input for mics - Check that mic button is pressed in - Is the phantom power on? (capacitor microphones). - Is the output volume control up? 2) Got signal going through, but no compression.

  • Page 16: Technical Performance

    THE COMPRESSOR The built-in JOEMEEK compressor is slightly different from the big studio units like the JOEMEEK SC2.2, so that it is easier to operate with musical instruments. The 'ATTACK' control is variable so that the impact of the compression sound can be varied from a gentle effect (with the attack adjusted fast) to more powerful sounds with longer attack times.
  • Page 17 MicroMeek MQ3 - User's guide transient signals; this effect works to retain brightness that is often lost with other types of compressor. THE EQUALIZER The equalizer is so called because it 'equalizes' or corrects the sound. It does this by modifying the relative volume levels of the various frequencies in the audio signal.
  • Page 18 MicroMeek MQ3 - User's guide THE POWER SUPPLY An external 12V AC power supply provides the power for the unit. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO POWER THE UNIT FROM ANY POWER SUPPLY OTHER THAN THE ONE SUPPLIED WITH THE UNIT. Circuitry inside the MQ3 converts the 12V AC into 14.5-0-14.5V and a 48V DC supply for the phantom power.

  • Page 19: Block (System) Diagram

    MicroMeek MQ3 - User's guide...

  • Page 20: Mq3 User Settings

    MicroMeek MQ3 - User's guide MQ3 User Settings- Use this page to record your favourite settings JOEMEEK MicroMeek Professional Studio Interface CurrentSense mic pre - Optical Compressor - Meequalizer 700ms 800ms -12 -6 ¥ 11ms 125ms 1.5s Compression Attack Release...
  • Page 21 More JOEMEEK Q range products: THE JOEMEEK STUDIO CHANNEL VC1Qcs Amazing mic amp + compressor, eq and ehnacer channel JOEMEEK VC6Q - mic/instrument pre, compressor, eq THE JOEMEEK JM47 - True condenser microphone, case, shockmount and cable. FLETCHER ElectroAcoustics Ltd.

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