The Mercury M76m Tube Studio Microphone Preamplifier is the modern benchmark for tube mic preamps, designed not merely to match the performance of the revered vintage units it honours, but to surpass them. Inspired by the legendary Telefunken/Siemens V76m modules, which were a cornerstone of European broadcast and recording studios in the late 1950s and 1960s, the Mercury M76m delivers the same warm, open and airy tonality, with a level of tonal flexibility and reliability made possible by modern engineering. When tube consoles gave way to transistor-based designs, the original V76m modules remained highly prized as outboard mic amps, finding their way into top studios around the world. Today, the originals are extremely rare, costly, and often in need of extensive repair, making the Mercury M76m an ideal choice for those seeking this sound without compromise.
With over two decades of experience servicing and critically listening to the original V76m units, Mercury Recording Equipment has recreated their sonic character in a dual-stage, transformer-balanced amplifier that uses four transformers and four tubes per channel. The Mercury M76m is built with the same dedication to high-quality parts and craftsmanship that has defined Mercury since its inception, ensuring not only tonal authenticity but long-term reliability. While preserving the core circuit design and sonic integrity of the original, Mercury has enhanced the M76m with modern conveniences. These include phantom power, phase reversal, a high/low impedance switch for optimal matching with different microphones, an output attenuation control, and a proprietary FDI (FET Direct Input) circuit for exceptional direct instrument recording.
The gain control ranges from 0 to +60dB in 6dB steps and works in conjunction with a continuously variable level control, allowing precise management of the first and second amplification stages. This configuration also enables controlled tube saturation by balancing the gain and level settings. The output attenuation control provides an additional -0 to -10dB of fine adjustment, useful both for managing levels and creatively shaping tone, particularly on electric guitar recordings. The impedance select switch expands the preamp’s versatility, ensuring optimum performance with ribbon, dynamic, and condenser microphones alike.
The proprietary Mercury FDI is a J-FET circuit based on a class-A tube topology, designed to capture the full nuance of direct sources. The DI signal passes through the entire microphone preamp circuit, including Mercury’s custom input transformers, imparting the full sonic character of the Mercury M76m to the source.
Sonically, the Mercury M76m offers an even EQ balance compared to Mercury’s M72s, which emphasises low and mid frequencies. The Mercury M76m excels on vocals, bass, and guitars, and enhances the detail and openness of room and overhead microphones. With 70dB of total gain and high/low impedance selection, it is particularly well-suited to ribbon microphones.
The Mercury M76m is not a hybrid, clone, or emulation, but a true all-tube, all-transformer circuit built to the highest standards, faithfully recreating the original Telefunken/Siemens V76m while adding thoughtful modern enhancements.
Features
- Authentic recreation of the Telefunken/Siemens V76m
- Transformer-balanced, dual-stage tube amplifier
- Four transformers and four tubes per channel
- Gain control from 0 to +60dB in 6dB steps
- Continuously variable level control for stage balancing and tube saturation
- Output attenuation control from -0 to -10dB
- High/low impedance switch for optimal microphone matching
- Phantom power and phase reversal
- Mercury proprietary FDI (FET Direct Input) circuit
- FDI designed on class-A tube topology for detailed direct recording
- Full DI signal path through custom transformers
- Even EQ balance suitable for a wide range of sources
- 70dB total gain for high output capability
- Particularly suited to ribbon microphones