Grand Master Series Al Schmitt Pro-Channel

The Oram Grand Master Series Al Schmitt Pro-Channel allows you to switch between 3 different mics and gives you 2 mic/line preamps with +28dBu headroom, a compressor, and a 6-band semi-parametric EQ. It is the result of a collaboration between renowned analog recording gear designer John Oram and Grammy-winning engineer Al Schmitt. Its beautiful front panel and luxurious sound make it worthy of 6 rack spaces in any studio. The switchable, lighted VU meter and high-quality knurled control knobs with detented settings make its function just as delightful as its sound. It's the key to open, detailed, smooth sound that lets each track stand on its own. There are 3 XLR mic/line inputs, an XLR out, power supply connection, and TRS sidechain jacks for I/O.

Preamp

The Pro-Channel's dual preamp section boasts 23-position, stepped control of up to 70dB gain and you can activate phantom power for each XLR input independently, as well as invert phase or temporarily mute the output. The first preamp is transformerless and the second is transformer-balanced.

Compressor

The optical compressor has continuously variable threshold control and 11-step attack, release, and ratio controls. It can be used either pre- or post-EQ. The Pro-Channel's compression is soft-knee and transparent with a warm, fluid quality.

EQ

The 6-band, semi-parametric EQ has frequency, boost/cut, and bypass controls for each channel, plus a global bypass. Each EQ band has a blue LED just above it that glows brighter as response increases within that band as a simple spectrum analyzer. All bands have fine-step controls of 24dB for accurate setting and recalling.

EQ bands:

Sub: 5Hz-160Hz (bell curve adjust)
Lo-shelf: 40Hz-300Hz (shelf curve adjust)
Lo-mid: 150Hz-2000Hz (bell curve adjust)
Hi-mid: 1kHz-12kHz (bell curve adjust)
Hi-shelf: 6kHz-16kHZ (shelf curve adjust)
Air: 10kHz-32kHz (bell curve adjust)

VU meter

The Pro-Channel's VU meter can display preamp output, compressor input, compressor output, main output, or gain reduction.

Power

The external power supply connects via an included 9' multipin cable and has a detachable AC cord, power switch, and status LEDs. The power supply has an extra jack for powering a second Pro-Channel, but has enough electric muscle to power 5 units.