PreSonus M80 - Manual (Page 15)

3 OPERATION
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3.1 Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are characterized by lower output levels. Hence, more gain is needed to amplify a
dynamic microphone to operating level. Occasionally it is necessary to add the –20dB pad to the
microphone to avoid distortion (e.g. when recording percussion). Do not use phantom power when using
dynamic microphones.
3.2 Phantom Powered Microphones
Phantom powered microphones such as condenser and ribbon microphones require external power to pre-
amplify the microphone acoustic pickup. These microphones typically have much higher output than
dynamic microphones. Hence the –20dB pad is almost always necessary when close miking to avoid
clipping the amplifier.
3.3 Instrument Input
The Neutrik

combo jack accepts ¼” plugs from instruments such as guitars and basses. The
instrument input is an ultra high impedance amplifier designed to allow an acoustic or electric instrument
pickup resonate at its full frequency and dynamic range. Care should be taken not to overdrive the input
with instrument preamplifiers.
3.4 Inserting Compressors, EQ’s, etc.
Each channel of the M80 features a send jack and a return jack. This feature allows the use of external
processors such as compression and equalization devices. Simply connect the send jack, balanced or
unbalanced to the input of the external processor. Then connect the M80’s return jack to the output of
the external processor. The signal is now routed out of the M80, into the external processor, then back
into the M80. The final, processed signal will be available at the M80 channel output XLR connector or the
Mix Bus output if assigned to the mix bus.
3.5 Using Return as Line In
The return jacks on each channel can be used to insert external audio devices such as tape machine
outputs, DAT machine outputs, etc. This then makes the audio device available to the mix bus for mixing
in with microphones or instruments.