Grace Design m103 Channel Strip

The Grace Design m103 Channel Strip represents a combination of absolutely pristine audio performance, robust mechanical construction and bombproof reliability at a reasonable price. Regardless of what audio sources you plan to record, m103 will faithfully serve as a versatile link between your microphone or instrument and recording device.

The Grace Design m103 Channel Strip starts with the tried and true m101 microphone preamplifier circuity. For many engineers, the m101 is an introduction to what quality mic preamplification is all about, and the perfect starting point for a channel strip – musical, transparent and pure. Headroom, detail, clarity – its all there. Complete with our exclusive ribbon mic mode, a 75Hz HPF and 48V phantom.

The 3 band EQ section is built around single stage parallel tuning architecture, which minimizes circuitry and delivers natural tonal shaping from 20Hz to 20kHz. Controls include a fully parametric mid, with sweepable high and low bands which can be operated in shelving or peak modes. Because of its accuracy of this design, smaller increments of cut or boost can be heard, providing a greater level of control over tone shaping. The compressor circuit is based on an optical attenuator – the purest, high fidelity gain control mechanism available. It provides gentle limiting to fairly heavy compression, while remaining neutral and transparent. The perfect way to zip it all up and send it downstream – clean, intact and alive. 10 segment gain reduction and output meters make monitoring compression and output levels simple. The front panel accessed HI-Z input makes this an amazingly high quality instrument preamp. Comprehensive I/O options allow the mic pre and EQ/COMP sections to be accessed independently of each other, and the order of the EQ/COMP is switchable. A dual function link/ sidechain input on rearpanel is provided for inserting external sidechain signals (for de-essing, ducking) or connecting two Grace Design m103’s together for stereo compression applications. Predictably, the Grace Design m103 is built to last, and proudly backed by Grace Design's 5 year transferable warranty. So there it is, they’ve done it. The Grace Design m103 – a channel strip by name, a powerful tool by design.

Grace Design m103 Channel Strip Features

• Fast and musical transimpedance microphone preamplifier architecture
• Updated audio path with 0.5% precision metal film resistors
• New 12 position gold plated rotary gain switch
• High performance output line driver amplifier and HPF amplifier
• Ribbon mic mode (also great for dynamic mics) -Relay bypass of phantom power decoupling capacitors, increased input impedance, and 48V lockout
• 3-Band presicion EQ, fully parametric mid band, peak and shelf mode for hi and low bands
• Newly designed optical compressor
• Mic amp direct output
• EQ/COMP section line input
• Bombproof laser-etched black anodized frontpanel
• Sealed gold contact relay for Hi-Z input switching
• Built in power supply
• Led indicators for +48V, Ribbon mode, and HPF
• Powerful 10 segment meters for gain reduction and output level
• Made in the USA

Grace Design m103 Channel Strip Specifications

• Mic Amp Section Measured at Mic Amp Output:
  • Gain Range (5dB Steps):
    • Mic Input: 10-65dB
    • Hi-Z Input: -10-45dB
  • THD+N 1kHz, 22Hz-22kHz BW:
    • @ 20dB Gain +20dBu Out: <0.00085%
    • @ 40dB Gain +20dBu Out: <0.0010%
    • @ 60dB Gain +20dBu Out: <0.0050%
  • Intermodulation Distortion @ 40dB Gain +20dBu Out:
    • SMPTE/DIN 4:1 7kHz/50Hz: <0.0020
  • Noise – Referred to Input @60dB Gain 22Hz-22kHz BW:
    • 50O Source: <-130dB
    • 150O Source: <-128dB
    • 600O Source: <-124dB
  • CMRR @60dB Gain, 3.5Vcm:
    • 100Hz: >60dB
    • 1kHz: >75dB
    • 10kHz: >65dB
  • Frequency Response:
    • Mic Input @ 40dBm Gain -3dB: 3.7Hz-140kHz
    • Hi-Z Input @ 20dB Gain -3dB: 1.2Hz-112kHz
  • Impedance:
    • Mic Input: 8.1kO
    • Mic Input, Ribbon Mode: 20kO
    • Hi-Z Input (Unbalanced): 2.5MO
    • Hi-Z Input (Unbalanced): 5MO
    • Balanced Output: 300O
    • Unbalanced Output: 150O
  • Peak LED Meter:
    • Green Threshold: -10dBu
    • Red Threshold: +16dBu
  • Maximum Output Level:
    • 100k Ohm Load, 0.1% THD: +28dBu
• EQ Comp Section:
  • Gain Range:
    • Output Trim: -10 – +10dB
  • EQ: 3 Bands of 0-12dB Cut or Boost:
    • Low Frequency Range: 20Hz – 750Hz
    • Mid Frequency Range: 500Hz – 4kHz
    • Mid Frequency Q: 0.5 – 5
    • High Frequency Range: 3kHz – 20kHz
  • Compressor – Inserts Pre or Post EQ:
    • Threshold Range: -15 – +15 dBu
    • Attack Range: 3 – 200 ms
    • Release Range: 0.03 – 3 s
    • Ratio Range: 1:1 – 12:1
    • Gain Reduction: 0 – 10dB
  • THD+N 1kHz, 22Hz-22kHz BW:
    • @ 0dB Gain +20dBu Out: <0.002%
  • Intermodulation Distortion @ 0dB Gain +20dBu Out:
    • SMPTE/DIN 4:1 7kHz/50Hz: <0.002%
  • Output Noise 22Hz-22kHz BW:
    • @0dB Gain: <-78dB
  • CMRR @0dB Gain, 3.5Vcm:
    • 100Hz: >75dB
    • 1kHz: >75dB
    • 10kHz: >75dB
  • Frequency Response:
    • @0dB Gain -3dB: 0.016Hz-150kHz
  • Impedance:
    • Line In: 24kO
    • Main Out Balanced: 350O
    • Main Out Unbalanced: 150O
    • Link In – Sidechain Mode: 100kO
• General Specs:
  • Level Meters:
    • EQ Peak Threshold: 6 dB below interstage clipping
    • Output Level VU Meter: 0dB VU = +4dBu output
    • Gain Reduction Meter: 0-10dB Gain Reduction
  • Maximum Output Level:
    • 100k Ohm Load, 0.1% THD: +28dBu
  • Weight & Dimensions:
    • Weight: 4.5 lbs / 2.05 kg
    • Dimensions: H1.7” x W19” x D9.0” / H4.3cm x W48.3cm x D22.9cm
  • Power:
    • Volts: 85-264VAC / 120-370VDC
    • Power Consumption: 14 Watts Max

Grace Design m103 Channel Strip Includes

• Grace Design m103 Channel Strip
• AC Power Cord
• Owners Manual
• 5 Year Warranty