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The name Studer has been highly regarded as an industry leader in the audio field. I don't think I have ever recorded an album in a major studio where a 24-track 2-inch or 2-track 1/2-inch Studer tape machine was not being used. The newest line of Studer products has followed in the same tradition. The A827, A807 and A820 analog tape recorders, few will argue, are probably the finest of their type, as are the D827 Digital Tape Recorder, the D780 R-DAT Recorder, the D730/D731 C D Players, the D741 CD Recorder and their D19 Series of processors.
The D19 Series include the MicAD, an eight channel 20-bit A/D converter with an optional remote control (MicAD Stage); the MultiDAC, an eight channel 23-bit A/D converter; and, the feature of this review, the MicVALVE two-channel 20-bit A/D converter with a built-in microphone amplifier.
The MicVALVE's two channels accept both mic and line level signals and have two gain adjustment controls. The first is in 10dB increments for quick adjustments, and the second is a 15dB continuous adjustment for fine tuning. The MicVALVE has both digital and analog outputs, where via digital you can make incredibly clean direct to digital recordings. The valve "Dignifier Stage" utilizes...