The Grace Design m103 Channel Strip combines the legendary transparency of Grace Design microphone preamps with a musical 3-band EQ and smooth optical compressor, creating an elegant all-in-one chain for recording vocals, instruments, voiceover, and acoustic sources.
Designed for engineers who want pristine detail without sacrificing musicality, the m103 delivers a refined recording path that feels equally at home in professional studios, broadcast environments, and high-end project rooms. At the heart of the m103 is Grace Design’s renowned transparent mic preamp circuitry, offering massive headroom, low noise, and incredibly accurate transient response. The onboard optical compressor provides subtle dynamic control that stays natural and unobtrusive, while the musical EQ section allows for broad tonal shaping without sounding harsh or clinical. Whether you're tracking vocals that need clarity and polish, acoustic instruments that demand realism, or spoken word that must sit perfectly in a mix, the Grace Design m103 delivers a polished recording chain in a compact and intuitive format. The m103 also features flexible connectivity including microphone, instrument, and line-level inputs alongside balanced outputs and insert capability, making it easy to integrate into modern recording workflows. For engineers who appreciate clean signal paths and professional-grade control, the Grace Design m103 Channel Strip offers a refined solution that elevates nearly any source.
Grace Design m103 Channel Strip Features
- Fast and musical transimpedance microphone preamplifier architecture
- Updated audio path with 0.5% precision metal film resistors
- New 12 position gold plated rotary gain switch
- High performance output line driver amplifier and HPF amplifier
- Ribbon mic mode (also great for dynamic mics) -Relay bypass of phantom power decoupling capacitors, increased input impedance, and 48V lockout
- 3-Band precision EQ, fully parametric mid band, peak and shelf mode for hi and low bands
- Newly designed optical compressor
- Mic amp direct output
- EQ/COMP section line input
- Bombproof laser-etched black anodized front panel
- Sealed gold contact relay for Hi-Z input switching
- Built in power supply
- Led indicators for +48V, Ribbon mode, and HPF
- Powerful 10 segment meters for gain reduction and output level
- Made in the USA
Grace Design m103 Channel Strip Specifications
- Mic Amp Section Measured at Mic Amp Output:
- Gain Range (5dB Steps):
- Mic Input: 10-65dB
- Hi-Z Input: -10-45dB
- THD+N 1kHz, 22Hz-22kHz BW:
- @ 20dB Gain +20dBu Out: <0.00085%
- @ 40dB Gain +20dBu Out: <0.0010%
- @ 60dB Gain +20dBu Out: <0.0050%
- Intermodulation Distortion @ 40dB Gain +20dBu Out:
- SMPTE/DIN 4:1 7kHz/50Hz: <0.0020
- Noise – Referred to Input @60dB Gain 22Hz-22kHz BW:
- 50O Source: <-130dB
- 150O Source: <-128dB
- 600O Source: <-124dB
- CMRR @60dB Gain, 3.5Vcm:
- 100Hz: >60dB
- 1kHz: >75dB
- 10kHz: >65dB
- Frequency Response:
- Mic Input @ 40dBm Gain -3dB: 3.7Hz-140kHz
- Hi-Z Input @ 20dB Gain -3dB: 1.2Hz-112kHz
- Impedance:
- Mic Input: 8.1kO
- Mic Input, Ribbon Mode: 20kO
- Hi-Z Input (Unbalanced): 2.5MO
- Hi-Z Input (Unbalanced): 5MO
- Balanced Output: 300O
- Unbalanced Output: 150O
- Peak LED Meter:
- Green Threshold: -10dBu
- Red Threshold: +16dBu
- Maximum Output Level:
- 100k Ohm Load, 0.1% THD: +28dBu
- Gain Range (5dB Steps):
- EQ Comp Section:
- Gain Range:
- Output Trim: -10 – +10dB
- EQ: 3 Bands of 0-12dB Cut or Boost:
- Low Frequency Range: 20Hz – 750Hz
- Mid Frequency Range: 500Hz – 4kHz
- Mid Frequency Q: 0.5 – 5
- High Frequency Range: 3kHz – 20kHz
- Compressor – Inserts Pre or Post EQ:
- Threshold Range: -15 – +15 dBu
- Attack Range: 3 – 200 ms
- Release Range: 0.03 – 3 s
- Ratio Range: 1:1 – 12:1
- Gain Reduction: 0 – 10dB
- THD+N 1kHz, 22Hz-22kHz BW:
- @ 0dB Gain +20dBu Out: <0.002%
- Intermodulation Distortion @ 0dB Gain +20dBu Out:
- SMPTE/DIN 4:1 7kHz/50Hz: <0.002%
- Output Noise 22Hz-22kHz BW:
- @0dB Gain: <-78dB
- CMRR @0dB Gain, 3.5Vcm:
- 100Hz: >75dB
- 1kHz: >75dB
- 10kHz: >75dB
- Frequency Response:
- @0dB Gain -3dB: 0.016Hz-150kHz
- Impedance:
- Line In: 24kO
- Main Out Balanced: 350O
- Main Out Unbalanced: 150O
- Link In – Sidechain Mode: 100kO
- Gain Range:
- General Specs:
- Level Meters:
- EQ Peak Threshold: 6 dB below interstage clipping
- Output Level VU Meter: 0dB VU = +4dBu output
- Gain Reduction Meter: 0-10dB Gain Reduction
- Maximum Output Level:
- 100k Ohm Load, 0.1% THD: +28dBu
- Weight & Dimensions:
- Weight: 4.5 lbs / 2.05 kg
- Dimensions: H1.7” x W19” x D9.0” / H4.3cm x W48.3cm x D22.9cm
- Power:
- Volts: 85-264VAC / 120-370VDC
- Power Consumption: 14 Watts Max
- Level Meters:
Grace Design m103 Channel Strip Includes
- Grace Design m103 Channel Strip
- Power Cord
- Owners Manual
- Manufacturer Warranty
1 Review Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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A must have!
Dec 9th 2016Any studio engineer knows- you need clean and you need color. Sometimes a song calls for one thing with a certain voice, instrument, and sometimes you need color! This is a serious pre as everyone knows about grace pres being very clean! what makes this special is the transparent compressor! Its like magic! Get one keep it there and one day when you need it - it will make you smile! Its not for everything and people like coloration. But i enjoy adding that coloration after its been tracked perfectly clean. UAD plugs dont exactly emulate correctly but they do color in their own nice way. TWO THUMPS UP on this bad boy!
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