Flick 500
Flick 500
The single channel 500 series module version of our Flickinger ‘TwinFlicks’ microphone preamp design is here!
We managed to fit the same dual op-amp gain stage, 3 transformer microphone preamp design into a single channel 500 series size module. The discrete Flickinger 535-7 opamps are miniaturized to the 2520 opamp footprint and re-designed with modern transistors to fit in this size. Our Flick 500 also utilizes some additional power circuitry design with DC-DC converters to generate the +/- 24v power rails that the original Flickinger preamp design used, from the incoming +/-16v rails of the 500 series format. Get the same incredible Flickinger style preamp of our ‘Twin Flicks’ in a single channel 500 series module! Check out our Flickinger Twin Flicks preamp description below for more info on the original preamp…
Flickinger TwinFlicks -- a 72 dB dual-channel, dual-OpAmp mic preamp. Originally we racked up a bunch of the vintage 52 dB Flickinger channels from the 1972 Ray Stevens' 32-Channel, Nashville Sound Lab console. These units were very successfully received, and when we sold out of the vintage channels, there was a demand for more. So we have now reverse-engineered the 1972 consoles's original 736-2 Flickinger channel cards, with its prized 535-7 opamp, and added a few new features, the most notable is a fader knob -- powered by a second 535-7 opamp with an additional 20 dB of gain -- which more closely resembles the signal path of the Flickinger console, giving a total of 72 dB of gain, while keeping the flexibility to drive the main gain stage harder by cutting back on the output fader. We now have 2x 535-7 OpAmps per channel, along 3 transformers: with a custom-designed Crimson Audio input transformer, an interstage transformer, and the output transformer. We have retained the +/- 24V power rails of the original design, and also the 150-Ohm input transformer impedance, and added a high/low impedance button allowing for a tonal change when switching to a higher impedance. Lastly, we added a 4-mode metering system to help you better control levels.
Flickingers's still have that great vintage American studio console character and tone that imparts a creaminess and heft to your tracks. The low end is full and powerful, and the +/-24V design gives you lots of headroom. Closely adhering to the 1972 vintage 736-2 Flickinger channel card and 535-7 OpAmp design -- using the identical NOS transistors -- these preamps still sound magnificent today -- and are one of very few built to the vintage 150-Ohm / 24V spec, which is where a lot of the Flickinger magic comes from.