The Tube-Tech MEC-1A is one of my all time favorite pieces of outboard gear. This is a very high end recording channel that features a tube preamp, equalizer and opto compressor.

Here is an overview of the different sections.

Microphone Preamp

The microphone preamp sounds wonderful and is very warm and full. It is a dual tube preamp that will deliver a gain range of +20dB to +70dB. There is a switchable -20dB pad, phase reverse switch and switchable +48V phantom-power. The high pass filter has a 20 Hz and 40Hz switch and can also be bypassed. I use the DI input a lot. This is a great preamp for bass.

Equalization

The EQ section has a high and low shelving filter and a gain range of +/-15dB and includes six switchable frequencies. There is a band filter that has a gain range of +/-20dB and twelve switchable frequencies with a bandwidth control also the EQ section has a bypass switch.

If you are looking for a lot of EQ options this is NOT the piece of gear for that. It has a great sound and a very clean EQ but only a single switchable band filter, however the frequency range is very wide from 40Hz to 10 kHz and good bandwidth control so you can get very specific frequencies. This is great for vocals where you need to boost or cut just a little to get a clean sound. I usually boost a little 1kHz and use the 40Hz high pass filter for sweet sounding vocals.

Compressor

The optical compressor has the standard controls for ratio, threshold, attack and release and the attack and release can be switched from manual to fixed. The compressor can be pre or post EQ and the section has a bypass switch. The Tube Tech compressor sound is legendary because it is so warm and has a great sound.

Here are some specs:

Number of Channels	Single
Inputs	1 x XLR 1 x 1/4″ TRS Link
Outputs	1 x XLR 1 x 1/4″ TRS Link
Frequency Response	15Hz to 80kHz, -3dB
Noise	<-82dBu, gain @ 20dB (22Hz-22kHz)

Preamp
Gain Range	Mic: 20dB to 70dB DI: 10dB to 60dB
Maximum Output	>+26dBu
Input Impedance	Mic preamp: >1.2kΩ DI input: 1MΩ
Phantom Power	+48V

Compressor
Threshold Range	Off to -20dBu
Ratio	1.5:1 to 10:1
Attack Time	1 mS to 100 mS
Release Time	60 mS to 2 S
Slope	Not specified by manufacturer
Sidechain	For linking multiple units only

Equalizer
Filter Type	Low-shelf Mid-band High-shelf
Frequency Bands	Low-shelf: 20, 30, 50, 70, 100, 160Hz (stepped) Mid-band: 40, 60, 80, 130, 250 and 500Hz and 1, 1.6, 2.5, 4, 7, 10kHz (stepped) High-shelf: 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, 26kHz (stepped)
Bandwidth	Mid-band: Continuously variable from sharp to broad
Range (Boost/Cut)	Low-shelf: +/-15dB Mid-band: +/-20dB High-shelf: +/-15dB

 

 

I use this channel path mostly on electric bass and vocals. You can also link these for multiple channels which would be amazing for piano or a room sound for an orchestra. I love the sound I get with a U87 and this Tube Tech on vocals. If you are looking for a great channel strip for single instrument recording and you have the budget I would seriously recommend the Tube Tech MEC-1A I love it!