Mercury Recording Equipment Company
M76m Mk. III
Studio Microphone Amplifiers
First, Mercury Recording Equipment Co. successfully recreated the original V72s with the highly regarded Mercury M72s. Now, with the Mercury M76m, we have brought to life the V72s' "big brother" - the V76. The Mercury M76m is a recreation of the original German designed Telefunken / Siemens amplifier module used in many European broadcast and recording desks. The V76 modules, however, are more well known as an outboard rack mounted preamp and are highly sought after by studios and engineers all over the world. Of all the V76 amplifiers, the "V76m" has always been the most desired because of its useful variable gain control, (as well as no filters intended for broadcast use). Original V76 modules have not been available new for 40 years and working vintage units have become extremely rare and expensive. Furthermore, due to its overly compact modular design, the V76 modules are now, after four decades, not as mechanically sound as they once were which causes problems sonically.
With that in mind, Mercury Recording Equipment Co. has recreated the transformer balanced, four tube per channel, high gain amplifier. Keeping the integrity of the original circuit, the M76m has open, warm tonality. After many years in development, Mercury has now built what is quite possibly the ultimate combination of vintage sound and modern features.
We made it first priority to build a modern Studio Microphone Amplifier that sounds identical to the original. Which was successful, by drawing on years of experience, repairing, rebuilding, and most importantly listening to the Telefunken / Siemens V76 modules. We did not stop there, however. Mercury took it one step farther than a "recreation". Using our years of professional service and taking note of what modifications and features the professional recording engineers wished their original V76 modules had Mercury added a few new features that the original studio microphone amplifiers and even the best "vintage" reracks never had.
The Mercury M76m has an Impedance Select switch for both high and low impedance devices. Secondly, a Level Control (which will work as a fader as well as add another 6dB (+ / -) from the second stage amplifier) and a Output Attenuation control (-0 to -10dB) has been added for even more control, including the ability to overdrive the amplifier in several different ways, if desired. The Gain control is 0 to +60dB in 6dB increments, that works in conjunction with the Level control and Output Attenuation Control. Also, all the staple features one expects from a modern piece of equipment were added: Phantom power, Phase Reversal (Polarity) , and an amazing sounding direct input on each channel. The M76m is truly a new classic for today as well as the benchmark in Studio Microphone Amplifiers for the next 50 years!
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With it's stellar sound, faithfulness to the original V76, unique tonal flexibility, and helpful array of modern conveniences, the M76m could very well be the ultimate 'vintage-style' mic preamp available today.
Mercury M76m Mk. III Dual Channel Studio Microphone Amplifier
LIST PRICE: $5,300
US STREET PRICE: $4,494
Mercury M76m/1 Mk. III Single Channel Studio Microphone Amplifier
LIST PRICE: $2,700
US STREET PRICE: $2,294
Mercury M76m Data Sheet
Mercury M76m/1 Data Sheet
Mercury M76m Recall Sheet
Mercury M76m/1 Recall Sheet
FAQ: Mercury M72s vs. M76m, Whats the difference?
First Things First
Both are multipurpose tools for making music. But if you were to have both or only one application that you have a need for, they do sound different.Tone
The Mercury M72s is warm and punchy. The M72s has a thick bottom end, a great push in the mid range and a open airy top end. The M72s performance great on Vocals, Bass, Drums, Acoustic and Electric Guitars as well as room and Over head applications.The M76m is warm, open and airy. Compared to the M72s the M76m is overall more evenly "EQ'ed". Meaning there is not a push in the low or mids. The M76m shines on Vocals, Bass and Guitars (you have amazing control on the amplifier's tone) as well the M76m opens up your Room and Over Head mics. With 72dB (+/-) of total gain and choice High and Low Input Impedance - Ribbon mics are big and open with the M76m.