{"title":"Pre-amps","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePre-amps: Where the Sound Gets Its Character\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore a signal hits anything else, it hits a preamp, and that first gain stage shapes everything that follows. A great mic pre takes a quiet, fragile source and brings it up with weight, detail and a flavour all its own, whether that's clean and open or rich with transformer colour. This is the front door of the whole recording chain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right preamp is the difference between a thin, lifeless take and one that already sounds like a record before you've touched another knob. Class-A discrete designs, valve warmth, vintage iron, each one stamps its personality on the sound going in. Get this stage right and everything downstream has more to work with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy they matter:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 0 0 1rem; padding-left: 1.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe crucial first gain stage of any signal chain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClean and open or thick with transformer colour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClass-A, valve and vintage flavours to choose from\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrings fragile sources up with weight and detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStamps real character on a take from the start\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGives everything downstream more to work with\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"focusrite-liquid-channel-every-classic-preamp-and-compressor-in-one-box","title":"Focusrite Liquid Channel: Every Classic Preamp and Compressor in One Box","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Focusrite Liquid Channel is what happens when a British console legend decides to bottle every classic preamp and compressor ever made and pour them into one 2U box. Using Dynamic Convolution, it doesn't just approximate a Neve, a Pultec, a Fairchild or an 1176; it samples their actual behaviour and reincarnates it, with a genuine analog \"liquid\" front end that morphs its impedance and transformer character to match. Mic pre, compressor and EQ, all recallable at the press of a button, all stored as snapshots. One reviewer's modelled Neve 33609 fooled them more than some real ones did. Two units available.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFEATURES \u0026amp; PROS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDynamic Convolution Modelling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Captures the real behaviour of classic pre's and compressors, not just an EQ-curve impression.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrue Analog Liquid Front End:\u003c\/strong\u003e A morphing preamp that matches the transformer and impedance character of the unit it's emulating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMic Pre + Compressor + EQ:\u003c\/strong\u003e A complete, top-tier channel strip in a single rack space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTotal Recall:\u003c\/strong\u003e 99 program memories and snapshot recall. Rebuild any session's front end in a click.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e192kHz, SHARC DSP:\u003c\/strong\u003e Modern converters and processing under a vintage-flavoured hood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA Former £3k Statement Piece:\u003c\/strong\u003e Serious studio kit at a fraction of its launch price.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE WORD:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tape Op's reviewer found its modelled Neve 33609 more convincing than some of the genuine 33609s they had on hand. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapeop.com\/reviews\/gear\/43\/liquid-channel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eRead the review\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2004\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Modelling channel strip (mic pre + compressor + EQ)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModelling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dynamic Convolution of classic preamps and compressors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFront end:\u003c\/strong\u003e analog liquid preamp, transformer\/electronic impedance matching\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMemory:\u003c\/strong\u003e 99 programs, snapshot recall, remote software\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConversion:\u003c\/strong\u003e up to 192kHz, SHARC DSP\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2U rackmount\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConnectivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e mic\/line\/instrument in, analog + digital (AES\/SPDIF) out, word clock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower:\u003c\/strong\u003e IEC mains\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManual:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.manualslib.com\/products\/Focusrite-Liquid-Channel-4448540.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eFocusrite Liquid Channel manual (ManualsLib)\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Focusrite","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49697281147119,"sku":null,"price":17500.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0751\/5992\/9071\/files\/IMG_8315.jpg?v=1780999776"},{"product_id":"millennia-stt-1-origin-134-boutique-channel-strips-in-one-box","title":"Millennia STT-1 Origin: 134 Boutique Channel Strips in One Box","description":"\u003cp\u003eMillennia's Origin is what happens when a boutique builder refuses to compromise. One 2U chassis hides two complete signal paths, one all-tube, one all-discrete solid state, switchable at the touch of a button on every stage: two mic preamps, two NSEQ-2 mastering-grade EQs, two opto compressors and two opto de-essers, with transformer or transformerless coupling. That is 134 different fully Class A combinations, from glass-clear and surgical to rich and tubey. Engineers who own one tend to sell their Avalons and 6176s. On vocals it is, by common consent, like butter. A genuine cost-no-object front end.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFEATURES \u0026amp; PROS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwin Topology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Switch any stage between an all-tube and an all-solid-state Class A path, instantly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo Mic Preamps:\u003c\/strong\u003e Millennia's clean discrete preamp and a vacuum-tube preamp in one box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNSEQ-2 Mastering EQ:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tube and solid-state versions of Millennia's revered parametric EQ.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwin Opto Dynamics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth opto compressor\/limiters and de-essers on either topology.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e134 Combinations:\u003c\/strong\u003e From surgical transparency to lush tube colour, all at the press of a button.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransformer or Transformerless:\u003c\/strong\u003e Add preamp personality or stay pristine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDI + Pro I\/O:\u003c\/strong\u003e Instrument DI plus flexible professional routing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCost-No-Object Front End:\u003c\/strong\u003e Widely rated among the best channel strips at any price.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE WORD:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gearspace's reviewer rates the Origin among the very best preamp channel strips available at any price, with an EQ that does not dishonour Millennia's fabled NSEQ legacy. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/gearspace.com\/board\/reviews\/703379-millennia-media-stt-1-origin-channel-strip.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eRead more at Gearspace\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Millennia Media STT-1 Origin Recording System\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e single-channel (mono) Class A recording channel strip, Twin Topology\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePreamps:\u003c\/strong\u003e two (vacuum tube and discrete solid state)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEQ:\u003c\/strong\u003e two NSEQ-2 mastering-grade parametric EQs (tube and solid state)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDynamics:\u003c\/strong\u003e two opto compressor\/limiters, two opto de-essers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoupling:\u003c\/strong\u003e transformer or transformerless, switchable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCombinations:\u003c\/strong\u003e 134 signal-path permutations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2U rack, 19 x 3.5 x 15.5 inches, approx 11 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition note:\u003c\/strong\u003e boutique professional unit; full condition details on request\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Millennia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49711901737199,"sku":"403","price":44500.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0751\/5992\/9071\/files\/IMG_8323.jpg?v=1780999698"},{"product_id":"sony-sra-3-a-space-age-recording-amplifier-from-the-reel-to-reel-era","title":"Sony SRA-3 Valve Recording Amplifier: Tame Impala's Secret Weapon","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Sony SRA-3 is the all-valve recording amplifier that quietly became one of the most hunted secret weapons in modern psych. Built in the 1960s to ride alongside Sony's reel-to-reel decks, it pairs two channels of pure tube circuitry with twin VU meters and that unmistakable silver, space-age fascia. Ease into it and you get glassy, creamy warmth. Drive it hard and the needles slam as it tips into a gloriously scuzzy, tube-saturated crunch. This is the box Kevin Parker leaned on for Tame Impala's Lonerism, sitting right at the top of his home-studio rack, and it has since built a cult following with artists like Deerhoof.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt began life as the amplifier stage for Sony's TC-263D tape transport, but its real magic today is as a characterful valve mic pre and a DI colour box. Run vocals through it for vintage warmth, slam drums into it for grit, or send a guitar or bass straight in for that signature overdriven growl. Equal parts working tool, sound-design playground and beautiful object, and with only around 2,000 ever made, it is a genuinely rare piece of recording history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFEATURES \u0026amp; PROS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAll-Valve Tube Tone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glassy warmth when gentle, rich tube-driven fuzz and crunch when you push it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Tame Impala Secret Weapon:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kevin Parker's documented go-to, seen at the top of his Lonerism studio rack.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo Channels, Twin VUs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Independent level controls and a pair of classic VU meters for stereo or dual-mono use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMic Pre and DI Colour Box:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gorgeous on vocals, lethal on drums, guitars and bass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpace-Age Sony Styling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brushed silver face, big tactile knobs, peak 1960s industrial cool.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuinely Rare:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roughly 2,000 ever built, and increasingly chased by producers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sony SRA-3 Stereophonic Recording Amplifier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e all-valve (tube) recording amplifier, mic preamp and DI colour box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChannels:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2, with independent level controls\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMetering:\u003c\/strong\u003e twin VU meters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Pairing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sony TC-263D and TC-262D reel-to-reel transports\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1960s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNotable Users:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tame Impala (Kevin Parker), Deerhoof\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Sony","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49724302393583,"sku":null,"price":10500.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0751\/5992\/9071\/files\/IMG_5559_598ef608-09f6-45d9-ba5a-990626004ac8.jpg?v=1781119659"},{"product_id":"lindell-18xs-mkii-a-class-a-mic-pre-and-pultec-eq-in-one-beautiful-box","title":"Lindell 18Xs MkII: A Class-A Mic Pre and Pultec EQ in One Beautiful Box","description":"\u003cp\u003eDon't let the modest price fool you, the 18Xs MkII is a seriously good single-channel front end. A transformer-coupled, Class-A microphone preamp with up to 65dB of gain, a high-impedance DI, and a passive Pultec-style EQ that delivers that famously creamy top and punchy low end. The clever twist is a wet\/dry Mix knob borrowed from Lindell's 17X compressor, so you can run the EQ in parallel for tones you can't get any other way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFEATURES \u0026amp; PROS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClass-A mic pre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Transformer-coupled with up to 65dB of gain for everything from ribbons to condensers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePassive Pultec-style EQ:\u003c\/strong\u003e That legendary creamy high-end boost and punchy lows, solid-state and reliable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eParallel EQ Mix knob:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blend dry and EQ'd signal, a trick unique to this unit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDI input:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hi-Z input for tracking bass, guitar and synths straight in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank build:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thick brushed-aluminium chassis, beautifully made.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingle-channel mic pre \/ DI \/ line amp with passive EQ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUp to 65dB gain, transformer-balanced I\/O\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwitched Pultec-style low and high EQ bands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWet\/dry parallel Mix control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1U rackmount\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Lindell Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49729574961391,"sku":null,"price":18500.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0751\/5992\/9071\/files\/IMG_3268_8764e3bc-a94a-439d-85f9-ac35f8bdf826.jpg?v=1781243376"},{"product_id":"revac-nm-88-a-rare-vintage-8-channel-mic-preamp-from-japans-pro-audio-past","title":"REVAC NM-88: A Rare Vintage 8-Channel Mic Preamp From Japan's Pro-Audio Past","description":"\u003cp\u003eA genuine rarity. The REVAC NM-88 is a professional 8-channel microphone preamplifier from Japan's pro-audio world, the kind of obscure, well-built workhorse that surfaces only occasionally on Japanese auction sites and disappears fast. Eight channels of mic preamplification in one chassis make it a tidy front-end for multi-mic tracking: a full drum kit, a live band cut together, or a rack of room and ambient mics. Documented information is thin precisely because so few were made, which is exactly the appeal for collectors chasing something nobody else has.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFEATURES \u0026amp; PROS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEight Channels:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full bank of mic preamps in a single unit for multi-mic sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePro-Audio Build:\u003c\/strong\u003e a professional-use Japanese unit built for serious studio and live work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuinely Rare:\u003c\/strong\u003e seldom seen anywhere outside Japanese collector auctions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulti-Mic Front-End:\u003c\/strong\u003e ideal for drums, full-band tracking or a wall of room mics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCharacterful:\u003c\/strong\u003e vintage multi-channel pres bring a colour modern interfaces do not.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGENRE \/ USE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulti-mic tracking: drum kits, full bands and percussion in one pass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoom and ambient mic banks for studio recording\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA characterful vintage front-end ahead of your converters or console\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA collector's piece for anyone chasing rare Japanese pro-audio\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: professional 8-channel microphone preamplifier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin: Japanese pro-audio market, REVAC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannels: 8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNote: this is an obscure unit, so detailed specs (format, phantom power, connectors, gain range) are best confirmed from the actual unit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: used, working\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"REVAC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49975777263855,"sku":null,"price":25500.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0751\/5992\/9071\/files\/IMG_3606.jpg?v=1781692983"}],"url":"https:\/\/innerpieces.art\/collections\/pre-amps.oembed","provider":"Inner Pieces","version":"1.0","type":"link"}