om electronics LLC

High-Fidelity Iron

The TI-600 hardware plug-in

Whether the active elements were tubes or transistors, classic audio equipment shared one common element: high fidelity audio transformers. Transformers were used at various stages in the circuit path to compliment the system design. In the process of doing so they imparted an audibly notable signature. The use of quality transformers made equipment such as mixing consoles very expensive and designers began to find ways to eliminate transformers at every stage of the signal path. Today’s mixing boards have few if any transformers compared to their vintage brethren. The same is true with modern outboard equipment. Many new designs feature transformer-less circuitry from start to finish. But the tonal contributions of transformers are still held in high esteem by audio professionals and aficionados of vintage sound. Recording engineers frequently insert vintage tube and early solid-state outboard equipment into the recording chain to obtain desirable sonic coloration. The TI-600 is no exception. When plugged into the insert jack of a typical mixer’s channel strip the TI-600 acts as an inter-stage transformer. This places it somewhere between the input preamplifier section and the routing section. The TI-600 effectively brings back some of the magic of what high fidelity iron imparts to the signal path.

Want to add a transformer to the output of your transformerless microphone?

German manufacturer Neumann is credited with creating some of the finest and most sought after microphones of the 20^th century. Many of those classic condenser microphones are still being used to record hit records today. The early Neumanns all had output transformers as does the venerable U87, which is still manufactured today. Neumann began eliminating output transformers with the introduction of the TLM series microphones. Even the new Neumann tube microphones do not have transformers. While the original purpose of the output transformer was to complete a proper connection between the microphone and mixing console through what could be a significant length of cable it also imparted a sonic signature. There is a way to get back some of that vintage sound with a newer Neumann. Most mixers by Tascam, Mackie, Allen-Heath, Yamaha, Behringer, and others have insert jacks. Simply plug a TI-600 in the insert jack corresponding to the channel the microphone is plugged into and you will have a high quality transformer in the signal chain. The TI-600 contains a specially fabricated transformer made by Jensen that is securely attached to a Switchcraft ¼ inch, three circuit phone plug. All components in the TI-600 are made and assembled in the U.S.A.