Radial Engineering Jensen Twin-Servo 500

Radial TwinServo is a professional 500 Series format microphone preamplifier based on the renowned JE990 circuit with two cascaded discrete 990 op-amps and two oversized Jensen transformers. A circuitry designed to provide maximum headroom, and a wide, linear frequency response.

Key Features

• TwinServo 990 topology with two cascaded discrete op-amps for wide frequency response and low distortion.
• Oversized Jensen transformers on input and output for headroom and linearity.
• XLR/¼ combo input for microphones and active instruments.
• Dualgang gain control for precise level management.
• Switchable high-pass filter to control low resonances.
• 15 dB pad for handling high level signals.
• 48 V phantom power for condenser microphones.
• 180° polarity reversal for phase alignment between sources.
• 10-segment VU meter for accurate signal monitoring.
• Ground lift to eliminate ground loop noise.

Radial TwinServo takes and updates the famous JE990 circuit designed by Deane Jensen, offering in 500 Series format a microphone preamplifier of the highest quality. The configuration with two discrete 990 opamps and servo topology eliminate capacitors in the signal path, reducing noise and distortion, while oversized Jensen transformers provide excellent headroom and linearity. The front panel with combo input, dualgang control, and LED meter makes it easy to use in recording sessions or live settings, while features such as high-pass filter, pads, phase inversion, and phantom power ensure flexibility with a wide range of sources.

Key applications

• High-quality microphone preamplification for vocals and instruments in critical recordings.
• Leader for dynamic or ribbon signals due to high gain and low distortion.
• Reamping of active instruments via XLR/¼ combo input.
• Frontend for console or 500 Series interfaces in professional studios.
• Use with active DI or piezo transducers with excellent dynamic response and detail.

Twin-Servo use with condenser microphones

The Jensen Twin-Servo preamplifier offers extremely wide bandwidth and high headroom, features that make it suitable for the most demanding recordings. It is particularly suited for sources with wide dynamics, such as vocals or orchestral instruments, providing high fidelity and accurate transient reproduction.

Using the Twin-Servo with active DIs

In live takes, picking up an instrument's direct signal allows for more consistent results, reducing interference and spill from other sources. By connecting a piezo transducer to a Radial PZ-DI active DI and sending the signal to the Twin-Servo, a solid, well-controlled low-frequency response can be achieved.

Using the Twin-Servo with ribbon microphones

Most modern production ribbon microphones have sufficient output level to be connected directly to the low-noise circuitry of the Twin-Servo. In the case of vintage microphones with lower output, the use of an additional preamplifier such as Radial McBoost allows the level to be increased by up to 25 dB, achieving an overall gain of about 85 dB.