Detail 01
Ribbon mode raises mic input to 20k ohms
Ribbons sound fuller and less loaded down. Most preamps sit far lower and thin them out.
Product detailSKU #1274115061253
Grace DesignM101 Microphone Preamp
1/2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A two-channel-quality single-channel mic preamp with instrument input, built for clean, uncolored capture. For engineers who want the source, not a character stamp.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Tracking acoustic instruments where you want the room and mic to show
- Ribbon mics that need high gain and a friendly load
- DI'ing bass or guitar into an interface without a coloring stage
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players wanting vintage grit or saturation from the preamp
- Anyone needing multiple channels for drums or full-band tracking
- Budget home setups where the interface preamps are already adequate
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
8.1k ohm standard mic input impedance
High enough to let condensers and dynamics run open without the preamp damping the mic's response.
Detail 03
Hi-Z input, 1M ohm unbalanced / 2M ohm balanced
Passive guitar and bass pickups keep their top end. No treble loss like a low-impedance line input causes.
Detail 04
+25dBu output into 100k ohm at 0.1% THD
Huge headroom before distortion. Loud transients from snare or slap bass will not clip the output stage.
Detail 05
Mic input response 10.5Hz-140kHz at 40dB gain
Flat well past hearing range, so nothing in the audible band is being shaped by the preamp.
Detail 06
Output trim, 0 to +10dB
Set gain for the mic, then match your converter's input level separately without re-gaining the front end.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Single channel only. Stereo pairs or drum kits need multiple units.
- 02You still need an interface or converter. This has no A/D.
- 03Draws 5W max on 100-240V, so it travels internationally without a transformer.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Does it have phantom power?
It is a mic preamp with a dedicated ribbon mode, so it is built to run condensers and ribbons. Confirm the phantom switch position before connecting a ribbon.
02Can I plug a guitar straight into it?
Yes. The Hi-Z input takes instrument level with -10 to 45dB of gain and 1M ohm unbalanced impedance, which suits passive pickups.
03Will it make my cheap mic sound better?
It will not add character. It gives clean, quiet gain, so a mic's real tone comes through more clearly rather than being flattered.
04What do the green and red LEDs mean?
Green lights at -14dBu and red at +16dBu, giving you a signal-present indication and a warning well before the +25dBu clipping point.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsPickups & controls
- Output Trim Control
- 0 to +10dB
10 detailsConnections & power
- Hi Z Input
- -10-45dB
- Mic Input Ribbon Mode
- 20k Ohm
- Mic Input
- 8.1kOHM
- Hi Z Input 20db Gain 3db
- 2.5Hz-195kHz
- Hi Z Input Unbalanced
- 1M Ohm
- Balanced Output
- 150 Ohm
- Hi Z Input 20db Gain 0 5db
- 6Hz-74kHz
- Hi Z Input Balanced
- 2M Ohm
- Mic Input 40db Gain 0 5db
- 10.5Hz-140kHz
- Mic Input 40db Gain 3db
- 4.5Hz-390kHz
8 detailsOther
- 100hz
- >68dB
- 100k Ohm Load 0 1 Thd
- +25dBu
- Green Threshold
- -14dBu
- 100 240v AC
- 5 Watts Max
- 10khz
- >65dB
- Smpte Din 4
- 1 7kHz/50Hz:
- Red Threshold
- +16dBu
- 1khz
- >75dB
