Preamps / Channel Strips

TL Audio's heavyweight valve recording channel not only provides you with gating, de-essing, compression, equalisation and limiting, but also lets you experiment with the sounds of different types of circuitry.

Following Trident Audio's S80 Producer Box comes the S20, which offers high-spec mic preamplification and an unusual input switching facility.

Housed in a tough stainless steel chassis, the Pedaltone uses four twin-triode valves, one of which is in the output stage, enabling power amp saturation to be replicated. A speaker simulator is included for recording or DI'ing.

Apogee have an enviable reputation for their state-of-the-art digital converters, but their new Trak 2 also includes sophisticated mic preamplification.

The new AG Stomp physically models a miked-up acoustic guitar sound using the DI signal from an acoustic guitar piezo pickup, and also offers a variety of useful effects processors.

The Dbx Mini Pre is a simple and inexpensive mic preamplifier with phantom power, using a hybrid valve/solid‑state mic...

Focusrite expand their affordable Platinum range with a channel strip, featuring an optical compressor and EQ that can be optimised for vocal or instrument usage.

The Blue Tube preamp accepts both mic and instrument inputs, and lets you add as much tube warmth as you like using real valve circuitry.

TL Audio's successful Fat 1 stereo compressor now has a new sibling with its own built-in mic preamp. Paul White delivers the SOS verdict.

Aphex have provided an elegant way to avoid the detrimental effects of long cable runs on delicate mic signals. Hugh Robjohns evaluates the Model 1788.

Dbx's new input channel combines tube processing with their renowned Type IV digital conversion.

Paul White looks at a new voice channel which packs a lot of features into a small space.

Paul White tests Yamaha's new rival to the Pod and J Station modelling guitar preamps.

Martin Walker looks at a handy half-rack unit which could provide an ideal front end for your computer-based recording system.

The application of both traditional principles and some innovative electronic design work affords this dual-channel preamp impressive performance. Hugh Robjohns likes what he hears.

Drawmer's 1969 model, developed with US pro audio dealer Mercenary Audio, seeks to offer the facilities of their acclaimed 1960 valve-based processor, but with a more American sound.

Physical modelling has always held out the best hope for producing realistic miked-up amp tones from a DI processor, and many recording guitarists found their prayers answered when Line 6 launched the Pod. But does this new contender in the field have anything more to offer? Dave Lockwood gets physical with the J Station.

Paul White gives Zoom's new low-cost modelling guitar preamp the once over.

Hugh Robjohns tries out a mic preamp from Dbx with a built-in A-D converter that is supposed to be impossible to clip...

Paul White tries out TLA's combination of front end and parametric equaliser.

Capable of handling both mic or instrument signals, TLA's new dual-channel, combined solid-state and valve preamp aims to offer super high-quality preformance at an average price. Paul White assesses their double vision.