Great River Electronics MP-2NV User Manual
Page 4

Definitive
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Design
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Be sure to check the polarity of all of your mic inputs when doing a multiple input mix, such as a
drum kit, or a guitar amp with several mics. For instance, if you are miking the top and bottom 
of a snare simultaneously, the bottom mic should have it’s polarity reversed in relation to the 
rest of the set. If you are miking an open backed guitar amp from in front and in back, the rear
mic should have it’s polarity reversed. Listen both ways, at least, to determine what works best 
for the track. 
Impedance 
 
The input load for the microphone and the Hi-Z buffer can be switched from 1200 ohms to 300 
ohms. When the button is in the out position, the input load is 1200 ohms. When the button is 
pushed in, the input load is 300 ohms.
 
Great River Tips: 
Most microphones will work best with the 1200 setting. Best isn’t always what you want though. 
With most microphones, the result of using the 300 ohm setting will be a roll off of the lowest 
frequencies and a tilt upwards of the highs. This effect is highly dependant on the particular 
microphone, and the only way to know for sure is to try it. 
Keep in mind that the impedance change is accomplished by changing the step-up ratio of the 
input transformer, so a gain change happens as well. Don’t let the volume difference mask the 
tonal difference when determining your preference.
 
In general, the best mics to try changing the impedance selection effect on are dynamics and 
ribbons. Condenser microphones have built in amplifiers, and the usual effect of running them 
into a lower impedance than they like to see is just a large increase in distortion and lower 
headroom, with minimal tonal changes.
 
The DI is similar to a condenser microphone, in that it doesn’t change tonally much, but has 
much different distortion characteristics with the different loads presented by the two
impedance selections. This can be used to great advantage when recording electronic 
instruments that need a little more body. 
Loading 
 
This button controls the output termination relay. When in the out position, the output 
transformer is unloaded. When pushed in, a 600 ohm resistor is connected across the secondary. 
Great River Tips: 
 
The output transformer has an inherent resonant peak that affects the frequency response at
high frequencies. This peak is at approximately 50kHz, and is about 6db up from flat and is 
cable and load dependant. The amplifier is designed to be correctly loaded by 600 ohms for best 
flatness in both frequency and phase response, but some interesting effects happen when 
unterminated. 
A gentle high frequency lift, like an “air band” EQ and a bit grittier midrange are the effects you 
should hear when the loading button is out.
