PREQ4 500

The brand Maag audio

The Mäag Audio PREQ4 is a 500 series analog microphone preamplifier designed for tracking and processing individual sources. It’s aimed at sound engineers looking for precise, natural and musical sound in a compact format. Thanks to AIR BAND® and VARI AIR™ technology, it brings clarity and openness right out of the box. An excellent choice for enriching your recordings without complexity.

Features

Transparent, musical preamp

The circuit is designed to respect the original signal. You faithfully capture the character of your microphone or instrument without excessive coloration. Ideal for natural studio miking and advanced home studio recording.

High gain and controlled noise

With up to 65 dB of gain, you can easily feed all types of microphones, including ribbon models. Noise remains very low, enabling clean recordings even of delicate sources.

Comfortable headroom for dynamic sources

Headroom up to +27 dBu lets you handle powerful signals without saturation. You retain all the dynamics and impact of the source, even in demanding contexts.

VARI AIR™ and AIR BAND®

You add presence and air with precision. The VARI AIR™ function lets you exploit the AIR BAND® over a wide range of frequencies. Result: more clarity and openness without aggressiveness, ideal on vocals and acoustic instruments.

Efficient high-pass filter

The 70 Hz filter quickly cleans up unwanted bass. You eliminate unwanted noise and keep a cleaner signal right from the recording stage.

PAD and management of loud sources

The -20 dB PAD helps you handle powerful sources without saturation. You can easily adjust the input level to maintain a balanced signal.

Essential built-in functions

48 V phantom power and phase inversion let you adapt to any situation. You retain complete control over your recording without adding external equipment.

Compact 500 series format

The PREQ4 fits into all API 500 and 500VPR racks. You benefit from a high-end preamp in a compact format, ideal for a modular, transportable setup.

What we like / What we need to know

– Transparent, natural sound, respecting the original signal – AIR BAND® with VARI AIR™ highly effective for opening up sound – Sufficient gain for dynamic and ribbon microphones – Compact, practical 500 series format – Essential functions directly accessible – Requires a 500 series rack to operate.

FAQ

Who is the PREQ4 designed for?

It’s designed for sound engineers and producers who want a precise, musical preamp in 500-series format.

Can it be used for vocals?

Yes, thanks to its transparency and AIR BAND® for added presence.

Is it compatible with ribbon microphones?

Yes. Its high gain allows this type of microphone to be used effectively.

What is the VARI AIR™ used for?

It allows the AIR BAND® frequency to be precisely adjusted to adapt presence and openness according to the source.

Do I need special equipment?

Yes. You need a compatible 500 series rack to power and use the module.