Black Lion Audio Auteur 500 Microphone Preamplifier
Black Lion's 500-series-format Auteur mic preamp gives you tons of clean gain on the way in -- with vintage-style transformer-based character all its own.
Overall User Ratings (based on 1 ratings)
Submitted September 21, 2013 by Sammy Meyerratken in Hamilton, OH
"Another Hit From Black Lion"
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This little pre from Black Lion is pretty neat. I typically use Neve, API, and Grace modules for my 500 series rack but this thing has it's own unique sound. It's clean with a touch of that transformer-coupled character and has low self noise.
Sound
It has a lovely sound. It seems maybe a touch dark compared to other mic preamps I use but if you really need the extra air you can always touch it with some EQ.
Features
It really is just a gain knob. Given it has 48v Phantom power (which most 500 series chassis do anyways) and phase switch (which you can do ITB anyways)
Ease of Use
Getting good sounds from this microphone preamplifier is simply. The only controls here are the gain knob and there is pretty low Harmonic Distortion.
Quality
It was a little light and not much on the circuit board. I guess that means less transistors, resistors, and capacitors that sound has to travel though.
Value
The fact this only costed around $350 when I bought it is astounding.
The Wow Factor
Honestly...at this price, I'll nee to compare it to the Neve and SSLs I have that cost 3-4x more, and if it keeps sounding great, I'll go ahead and buy another rack, 7 more of these and use them on drums.
Musical Background:
Engineer
Musical Style:
Hip-Hop, Pop
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