Meris 440 User manual

MERIS 440 USER MANUAL
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RETURN
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RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
IN
MIX
OUT
TIME
DELAY
OUT (L) OUT (R)
MIX
IN
DECAY
REVERB

440 User Manual
pg 2
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/ D.I.
OUTPUT
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-20dB
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80
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RETURN
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-20dB
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RETURN
/ D.I.
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RETURN
/ D.I.
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200
-20dB
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EFFECTS LOOP
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SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
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-20dB
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80
EFFECTS LOOP
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SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
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80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
IN
MIX
OUT
TIME
DELAY
OUT (L) OUT (R)
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IN
DECAY
REVERB
The Meris 440 was designed in every aspect to be the premier solution for recording guitar. The basis of the design
yields classic American console tone heard on countless records. From the legendary Cinemag input and output transformers
to the high performance hybrid-discrete opamps, our engineers carefully made every design decision with the highest sonic
performance in mind. We set our sights on the goal of creating the ultimate preamp for miking an amp or even an acoustic
guitar. You’ll find that the 440 provides the shortest path to great guitar recordings. With it’s specifically tuned filters, and it’s
integrated pedal level post effects loop, the Meris 440 is a complete solution for a finished guitar track. Of course the 440
also performs on varying sources like vocals, strings, and percussion. The effect pedal level loop opens up a world of color and
processing to all of your recordings.
Installation into a 500 Series compatible rack enclosure
1. Power down your 500 series rack before installing (and removing) the 440.
2. Align the 440 with the desired rack slot, and check that the 440 is right side up.
3. Apply pressure to the top and bottom edges of the front panel to seat the 440 into the backplane connector.
4. Secure the 440 with the appropriate mounting screws for your rack.
5. Power up your 500 series rack only after the 440 is securely installed.
Usage
Connect a microphone to the
440’s corresponding rack rear
XLR input using a balanced
connector.
Start with the Gain
and Output controls
at 12 o’clock, and the
-20dB Pad switch in
the down position (OFF).
Set the filters to the
middle position (bypass)
which will provide a flat
frequency response.
Apply Phantom power
only if you are certain the
microphone requires it.
Phantom power may damage
certain microphones including
ribbon mics.
For unbalanced line or instrument
signals, use the Return / D.I.
input as a high impedance input
and control D.I. gain with the
Output control.

440 User Manual
pg 3
Features
• Legendary Cinemag input and output transformers used in classic American consoles that were the basis of the West Coast
sound of the 70’s. A short list of records that would have featured these electronics: Van Halen - II, Fair Warning, Diver
Down, Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street, The Doors - several albums including L.A. Woman, the Beach Boys - Pet Sounds,
Fleetwood Mac - Rumors. The list goes on and on.
• 2 high performance Hybrid-Discrete opamps. One at the input transformer section and one driving the output section.
Effect pedal level effects
loop. The loop is located
between the input and output
transformer sections for the
highest signal integrity. The
signal levels are carefully
optimized as to not cause
clipping in pedals.
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
IN
MIX
OUT
TIME
DELAY
OUT (L) OUT (R)
MIX
IN
DECAY
REVERB
• Only premium quality components selected for the 100% analog signal path
• Meris designs and manufactures all of our gear in Los Angeles, CA USA. Even our transformers are wound just a few miles
away from the Meris office.
The output control was carefully placed
in the output transformer hybrid-discrete
drive section avoiding post-output
transformer attenuators in other preamps
that can degrade the output transformer’s
performance.
High-pass filter selectable between 80Hz and
200Hz. The 80Hz setting is useful for cutting
the mud out of a woofy guitar cabinet or even
as a typical high-pass on vocals. The 200Hz
setting is often useful when recording an
overly boomy acoustic guitar.
High shelf boost filters at 4kHz or 7kHz give
you 3dB of boost at those respective corner
frequencies. Many times when miking a guitar
cabinet, engaging the 4kHz high shelf and the
80Hz high-pass achieves a finished tone that
requires no additional e.q. at mixdown. The
7kHz high shelf can add necessary presence to
an otherwise outstanding ribbon mic that could
benefit from some sparkle in the high end.
Standard feature Pad and Phase
switches.
Switchable phantom power
with LED indicator.
The effects return jack also doubles
as a great D.I. for bass, guitar or other
instruments that require a high impedance
input. The D.I. also provides up to 12dB gain
if necessary and benefits from the tone of
the output transformer.

440 User Manual
pg 4
Tips & Tricks
Place post effects pedals like Reverb and Delay in the 440’s effects loop for a cleaner more defined sound. These effects
would have been traditionally added “on the board” in the big studio days with million dollar consoles and outboard rack
effects. With today’s project and home studio environments, that functionality is brought back with the 440’s loop and
high powered pedal effects.
GAIN
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/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
IN
MIX
OUT
TIME
DELAY
OUT (L) OUT (R)
MIX
IN
DECAY
REVERB
Use the high
shelf and high
pass filters to
create a “finished
tone” with 100%
analog e.q. and no
additional plug-ins
necessary at mixdown
GAIN
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/ D.I.
OUTPUT
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-20dB
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80
EFFECTS LOOP
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/ D.I.
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-20dB
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80
EFFECTS LOOP
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RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
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-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
IN
MIX
OUT
TIME
DELAY
OUT (L) OUT (R)
MIX
IN
DECAY
REVERB
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
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80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
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80
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OUTPUT
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80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
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-20dB
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80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
IN
MIX
OUT
TIME
DELAY
OUT (L) OUT (R)
MIX
IN
DECAY
REVERB
Use the
80Hz or
200Hz
high pass to
cut the “mud”
out of a woofy
guitar cabinet
1
23

440 User Manual
pg 5
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
IN
MIX
OUT
TIME
DELAY
OUT (L) OUT (R)
MIX
IN
DECAY
REVERB
Use a pair of 440s to interface with a mono input / stereo output pedal like a stereo reverb. Send the pedal input from
the send jack of the first 440 and return signals to both 440s. Then record your track in stereo.
Use
the D.I.
input as
a premium
quality high
impedance D.I.
for bass guitar
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
IN
MIX
OUT
TIME
DELAY
OUT (L) OUT (R)
MIX
IN
DECAY
REVERB
Set up the
440 for
unity gain
and use the
effects loop to
interface with
effects pedals in
a mix
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
IN
MIX
OUT
TIME
DELAY
OUT (L) OUT (R)
MIX
IN
DECAY
REVERB
Add
sparkle
to a
ribbon mic
with the 7kHz
or 4kHz high
shelf filters
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20dB
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
GAIN
SEND
RETURN
/ D.I.
OUTPUT
200
-20
7k
4k
80
EFFECTS LOOP
IN
MIX
OUT
TIME
DELAY
OUT (L) OUT (R)
MIX
IN
DECAY
REVERB
4
5
6
7

440 User Manual
pg 6
Frequency Response & EQ Curves
Flat - all filters bypassed
-10
+10
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
-0
+1
+2
+3
+4
+5
+6
+7
+8
+9
dB
20k
Hz
20
High-Pass filter response
-3dB corner at 80Hz or 200Hz
-10
+10
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
-0
+1
+2
+3
+4
+5
+6
+7
+8
+9
dB
20k
Hz
20
High-Shelf filter response
+3dB corner at 4kHz or 7kHz
-10
+10
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
-0
+1
+2
+3
+4
+5
+6
+7
+8
+9
dB
20k
Hz
20

440 User Manual
pg 7
440 Signal Path
input
pad, phase sw
& phantom power
Cinemag input
transformer
H.P & H.S. filter
sections
effects
send
Hybrid-Discrete
Opamp & Gain control
effects return
& high impedance
instrument D.I.
Hybrid-Discrete
Opamp & output control
Cinemag output
transformer
output
Limited Warranty
Meris, LLC warranties our electronic products to be free from defects in material and workmanship for one (1) year from the
original purchase date. If the product fails before the warranty period has ended, Meris, LLC will repair or replace it at our
discretion at no cost to the original purchaser. This warranty is not transferable. This warranty does not cover loss, theft
or damage by misuse, abuse, modification or loss from natural disasters. Meris, LLC will not be held liable for any damages
that result from the failure of this product which include but are not limited to: damage to other equipment, lost monies, and
damages due to the inability to use the product. Meris, LLC will in no case be liable for any amount exceeding the purchase price.
To obtain warranty service in the USA please contact us at [email protected] or by phone at [phone]. We will reply
with warranty claim instructions. International customers should contact the authorized dealer which the product was originally
purchased at. Original proof of purchase is required for warranty repair.
Specifications
• Up to 60dB of gain at the input section
• Output trim -27dB to +12dB (occurs pre-output transformer to preserve output transformer secondary impedance)
• 12dB / octave High-Pass: 80Hz or 200Hz corner frequency
• High-Shelf boost: + 3dB at 4kHz or 7kHz corner frequency
• 20Hz to 20kHz flat frequency response (+/- .3 dB) with all filters disengaged
• -130dBu EIN (A-weighted)
• 1 Meg Ohm input impedance at Return/D.I. input