The Flexiguy is a microphone/line/direct inject (D.I.) preamplifier that offers up detailed and flexible tone, useful and controlled harmonic contribution and a somewhat "tape-like" dynamic response.
The overall architecture and design, careful component selection and custom parts manufactured exclusively for the Flexiguy combine to make this a unique device that is anything but a one trick pony. Overload characteristics, when pushed, are designed to be creatively useful. When operated more conservatively, working between the two operating modes (described below) and with or without the impedance converting pad engaged, the utility of this module is quite broad.
While Flexiguy is primarily intended as a mic preamp, it's large core input transformer and D.I. input can easily handle line level input sources (i.e. for additional makeup gain, tonal coloration, line driving, or other creative purposes). Its transformer-balanced output is capable of driving loads as low as 300 Ohms. When used in Purple Audio Sweet Ten racks you get access, via the 1/4" Opt Out connector, to an additional unbalanced output which can drive even heavier loads.
Front Panel Features and Controls - top down:
Mode Switch and "Winky" Level Indicator:
Operating mode is selected with a latching illuminated button just above the gain control. The back lighting of this switch includes a very good level indicator.
Mode 1: (button out, with a pale greenish white back light) is our original Flexiguy setup used in earlier custom units we made for specific customers. The gain range in this mode is 6dB to 65dB and the input impedance changes with gain, going lower as gain is increased, making for a more saturated "compressed" character at high gains, and as gain is reduced input impedance rises, which makes for a more open sound. Conveniently, the 600 Ohm impedance at max gain is a great match for Lo-Z, low output ribbon microphones.
Mode 2: (button in, with a deep blue back light) is a feature we added to the production version. Our in-house term for this mode became "Gal". In Gal mode the gain range, min to max, shifts to 20dB and 70dB, respectively, and the input impedance remains constant. The overall sonic imprint in Gal mode is subtly wider, more open and less colored.
"Winky" level indicator monitors output amplitude over a wide dynamic range. Tri-color indication begins at -30dBu with a dim green that brightens with increasing level and changes through yellow and into red over a wide enough range and with enough variation in color and brightness that one can see what is happening level-wise even from across a room. There is a peak detector that "pops" the red brightness roughly 3dB below Full Scale on most A/D converters. There is a lot of information in this single point level indicator
Gain Control:
Two gain ranges as described above... 6dB to 65dB or 20dB to 70dB for Mic/Line, and 6dB less for D.I.
The knob feels good... we made it special for you...
Phase or Polarity Reverse: (marked " Ø " because that looks better on the panel.)
This is an electronic phase reverse that works in all modes with both Mic/Line and Direct Inject.
Pad:
This is a nominal -20dB pad. It's an impedance converting pad so it presents the microphone with a 1200 ohm load and presents the input transformer with a 200 ohm source. This helps with some microphones having higher output source impedances... 1200 ohms is a pretty universal good load for mics and our input transformer likes being sourced from something low. Invoking the pad and cranking the gain a little will often get you to another place that some mics may like better. This control works in all modes, including D.I.
Phantom Power: marked " 48 "
When active, 48 volts is applied to the rear panel input for phantom powered mics, D.I.s and accessory boxes. There is an orange LED sunk into the bottom of the numeral 8 to let you know it's active.
All Toggle Switches are "active" when switched to the right.
Front Panel Direct Inject (D.I.) input:
Inserting a 1/4" Guitar or Instrument plug (TS or TRS) into the D.I. jack deactivates the rear panel XLR input, defeats 48V phantom power and inserts an unbalanced buffer amplifier and dedicated interstage transformer before the mic input transformer. This maintains the same transformer-coupled signal path and feature set for both mic and instrument signals. Gain adjustment, metering, modes, PAD and Polarity Invert (Ø) function the same as with microphones. The gain through the DI is 6dB less; plugging in synthesizers and other line sources (up to +22dBu) is encouraged. The input impedance is 100K Ohms which is high enough for passive pickups. Although optimized for low level Hi-Z instrument sources, this D.I. input will safely accept the majority of high level Lo-Z line sources without clipping.
Removing the 1/4" plug returns Flexiguy to normal microphone operation.
