ALL Oram mic pre's use the same I.C. The SSM2017. Oram also designed his preamps to be able to be used as Line level inputs. They are specified to accept any level from 0 DBu to -70 dBu.

The SSM2017 transfer function requires an impedance of greater than 100kΩ to reach 0 gain and 2500 Ω to set a gain of 10dB; Hence John Oram designed a special potentiometer which goes "OPEN" at the CCW end.

SO: You will experience no change in gain as you rotate the pot CW until the wiper comes in contact with the resistance element, then the gain steps (jumps) to +10 dB. From there on the gain is continuously variable.

You can use an Oram Mic Preamp as an input for a +4dBu line , a -10dBV line or any microphone.

ALL ORAM MICROPHONE PREAMPS: MWS, BEQ8, BEQ24 and anything John will probable ever design.

The Input gain has a 10 db STEP at the beginning of Clockwise rotation. The purpose is to allow you to use the preamp with a 0 dBu signal ( a line level) So, the gain steps from +0 to +10 and from +10 to +70 it is continuously variable. When a customer "complains" that the gain "jumps" you must tell them that that is the way it is designed. It a FEATURE. It is NOT defective. Oram console Mic Pres can be used as additional line inputs at mix down. You and use the MWS as a MASTERING EQ. DO NOT Advance Replace the unit. DO NOT exchange a DEMO or USED unit for a NEW unit.