Mercury Recording Equipment Studio Soul 242 Pro 24:2 Mixing System

The Mercury Recording Equipment Studio Soul 242 Pro is a 24:2 Class A discrete mixing system that adds 24 per-channel input transformers to the Studio Soul 242 platform — one transformer on each of the 24 input channels — for increased channel isolation, stereo width, and the harmonic character of transformer-coupled analogue circuitry. Like the Studio Soul 242, the Pro is built around a fully discrete Class A mix amplifier with fully balanced inputs, transformer-balanced stereo bus outputs, a two-band Baxandall stereo bus EQ, dual bus insert points, and per-channel inserts across all 24 inputs. The addition of individual input transformers widens the perceived stereo image and adds the tonal glue characteristic of transformer-coupled console channels, making the Pro particularly effective for sessions where separation and analogue mix character are priorities. The Studio Soul 242 Pro is handcrafted by Marquette Audio Labs in California, USA, and is expandable to 48:2 operation with the Studio Soul 2548 expansion unit.

Key Features

• 24 per-channel input transformers — one custom Mercury transformer on each of the 24 input channels; increases channel isolation and stereo separation; adds transformer-coupled harmonic character and tonal glue across the mix; the defining distinction between the Studio Soul 242 Pro and the standard Studio Soul 242
• Fully discrete Class A mix amplifier — all 24 input channels run through a fully discrete, fully balanced Class A signal path; transformer-balanced stereo bus outputs deliver analogue character and mix cohesion at the two-bus stage
• Two-band Baxandall stereo bus EQ — passive Baxandall-style EQ on the stereo bus with 41-position detented controls on both bands for precise recall; Low (Bass): ±10dB at 10Hz and ±5dB at 175Hz simultaneously; High (Treble): ±6dB at 20kHz and ±3dB at 2.5kHz simultaneously
• Dual stereo bus inserts — Insert A operates pre-stereo EQ, suited to external stereo EQs; Insert B operates post-stereo EQ, suited to stereo compressors and limiters; both inserts can be used independently or in combination for parallel or series analogue processing chains; I/O via 8 gold-pin XLRs (send and return L/R for each insert)
• Per-channel inserts on all 24 inputs — balanced insert send and return on every channel for inline analogue processing; insert sends also function as direct outputs when used pre-insert, enabling recording processed or dry signals back to the DAW; DB25 connectivity across four rows for sends, inputs, returns, and return multiples
• Selectable channel panning — channels 1–8 each have selectable Left, Right, Center, or Mono routing; channels 9–24 are fixed with odd channels panned left and even channels panned right
• Output Gain switch — 0dB or +6dB — selectable output stage gain; +6dB recommended for optimal level into the stereo bus
• Monitor out and headphone outputs — balanced XLR monitor output; two gold-pin XLR balanced headphone amp outputs (L/R) for external headphone amplifiers; dedicated combination XLR/¼″ headphone jack for direct monitoring
• 41-detent custom controls — Gain, Level, and EQ controls all use 41-position detented potentiometers for consistent feel, precise adjustment, and straightforward recall
• Expandable to 48:2 — compatible with the Studio Soul 2548 24-channel expansion unit (coming soon) for 48:2 mixing system operation
• Upgradeable from Studio Soul 242 — the Studio Soul 242 can be upgraded to Pro spec by adding 8, 16, or 24 channels of input transformers post-purchase; installation is user-serviceable
• Handcrafted by Marquette Audio Labs — California, USA — 2U aluminum chassis with metallic gray powder-coat finish; 25W external power supply included; 2-year limited warranty on equipment

Specifications

• Format: 24:2; 2U aluminum chassis
• Architecture: Fully discrete Class A; fully balanced
• Input Channels: 24
• Input Transformers: 24 × custom Mercury transformer-balanced (one per channel, channels 1–24)
• Stereo Bus Outputs: Transformer-balanced (L/R)
• Output Gain Switch: 0dB or +6dB
• Monitor Out: Balanced XLR
• Headphone Amp Out: 2 × gold-pin XLR balanced (L/R)
• Headphone Jack: Combination XLR/¼″
• Stereo Bus EQ: 2-band Baxandall; Low ±10dB @10Hz / ±5dB @175Hz; High ±6dB @20kHz / ±3dB @2.5kHz; 41-position detented controls
• Channel Panning: Ch 1–8 selectable (L/C/R/Mono); Ch 9–24 fixed (odds = L; evens = R)
• Channel Inserts: 24 × balanced (send + return); Row 1 DB25: insert sends 1–24; Row 3 DB25: insert returns 1–24; Row 4 DB25: insert return mult 1–24
• Line Inputs: Row 2 DB25 (inputs 1–24)
• DB25 Connectors: 4 × (Row 1: insert sends; Row 2: line inputs; Row 3: insert returns; Row 4: insert return mult)
• Stereo Bus Inserts: Insert A (pre-EQ); Insert B (post-EQ); 8 × gold-pin XLR (send L/R + return L/R per insert)
• Ground Lug: Yes
• Expansion: Studio Soul 2548 (coming soon) for 48:2 operation
• Power: 25W external supply (included)
• Weight: ~10 lbs
• Warranty: 2-year limited (equipment)
• Manufactured: Marquette Audio Labs; California, USA