A STEREO mic preamp?

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

I tried to record one channel connected to a stereo mic pre that I
have while leaving the other channel unconnected and I was surprised
to find this signal on the disconnected channel, about 6 dB down in
volume from the main signal.

The micpre is rated at -96 dB crosstalk, and I assumed that leaving
one channel disconnected would result in no sound , or at worse a
little noise in the disconnected channel. That has been my experience
with mic pres in the past.

I contacted the manufacturer of this preamp and was told that each
channel must be connected as this is a Stereo preamp and can only work
to spec if both channels are connected or if the channel with no
signal is shorted to ground, loaded with a dummy load, or if the
input signal is split to both channels.

I can't seem to get a straight answer as to why this is, and I'm
willing to admit ignorance. I've used lots of mic pres in my time, but
this is the first time I've heard of a stereo mic pre that is
dependant on stereo input for proper operation.

I know there are inquisitive and knowledgeable minds here: can anyone
here explain to me what kind of circuit topology would account for
this behavior?

TIA

Steve

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

Core Sound's Mic2496.

Matrix as in M-S matrix? That's definitely not the case.

Doesn't make any sense to me either.

On 22 Jun 2005 11:57:35 -0700, tymish@hotmail.com wrote:

>Doesn't make any sense to me unless it's kind of matrix. What kind of
>Mic Pre is this?