With the scores of new and exciting 500-series modules that have been announced over the past few years, many of them mic preamps, only one brings the creativity and versatility of guitarists’ pedal effects into the modern recording studio so successfully. The Meris 440 is not only a superb boutique studio mic preamp, built in California with all analog circuit path and Cinemag transformers, but it uniquely incorporates an effects loop attenuated perfectly for guitar pedals.
To announce its arrival in the UK, a group of audio industry buffs were invited to a special event at Red Bull Studios in London. The Meris launch event was a chance to meet with Meris founder Terry Burton, its creative director, Jinna Kim, and experience the power of the little 500-series module first hand. Guests were treated to an exclusive live recording session with brilliant UK singer and guitarist Luke Sital-Singh (visit his website), performing two songs from his debut album, “The Fire Inside”.
Recording through the Meris 440
All the microphones were powered by Meris 440 preamps and for each song various guitar effects pedals were used to demonstrate how these sound when used in the 440’s effects loop. The guests in the control room monitored the session live through a pair of Acoustic Energy AE22 studio monitors, renowned for their neutrality. Videos of both songs were recorded – you can watch them below – with the original untreated audio from the sessions. For “Cornerstone”, an Electro Harmonix Holy Grail Nano reverb pedal was used in the effects loop on Luke’s vocal mic’s (a DPA d:dicate 4018A directional) 440 preamp. A Strymon El Capistan tape delay pedal was in the loop of the electric guitar amp (VOX AC30) mic’s (DPA d:dicate 4006A omni) 440 preamp for Luke’s performance of “Fail for You”.
Luke Sital Singh – “Cornerstone” Live at Red Bull Studios London
Luke Sital Singh – “Fail for You” Live at Red Bull Studios London
The Meris 440 Mic Pre is well on its way to becoming a firm favourite among the recording producers and engineers in the UK (and Europe) and we look forward to future product announcements from this unique boutique studio outboard manufacturer in 2015. In the meantime, get your hands on the 440 and try it out at your nearest official Meris dealer, or get in touch for more information.
