Preamps / Channel Strips

Digitech's VTP1 seeks to outpace the competition in the crowded valve mic preamp market by offering built-in 4-band EQ and a digital output. Paul White sees how it runs...

Paul White checks out a couple of all-valve front ends to see whether eliminating solid-state circuitry really makes a difference.

There's more to building a serious mic front end than putting a standard circuit in a flashy box. Fortunately, SPL's circuit design is even more impressive than their custom anodised front panels, as Paul White discovers.

Paul White tries to establish whether a separate mic preamp really does make a difference, using the MX2, the latest in the LA Audio Lite range of signal processors.

Until now, musicians wanting to add that distinctive valve sound to their recordings have had to beg, borrow, or steal to do it. At a mere £149, ART's new tube mic preamp looks set to change all that. Paul White checks it out.

Fletcher ElectroAcoustics' Voice Channel is a modern reincarnation of a vintage classic compressor, repackaged with a high-spec mic amp and an enhancer.

Paul White tries out the new TLA Preamp/DI box, which combines leading edge solid-state technology with vintage tubes in an attempt to offer the best of both worlds.

Paul White plays axe hooligan for a day with the Sansamp PSA1.

SPL have combined their Vitalizer circuitry with a powerful parametric/notch filter and added a low-noise mic preamp to create an extraordinary audio toolbox. Paul White takes the lid off and looks inside.

Paul White compares his console mic amps to the new Aphex Model 107 Tube Mic preamp and finds some interesting differences.

Axe heroes wanting that classic Marshall stack sound without the bulk should check out this floor-mounting DI unit. Paul White put his foot down.

Want that Mesa Boogie guitar sound for a fraction of the usual price — and from a foot pedal? Vic Lennard plugs in his trusty Strat...