Preamps / Channel Strips

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.

Paul White goes green with the latest JoeMeek recording channel.

Focusrite's latest product is an updated version of one of their '80s classics. Is it even better the second time around?

This state-of-the art- multi-channel mic preamp, designed by the celebrated George Massenburg, is light on frills but heavy on quality.

The fashionably vintage exterior of this US-made dual-channel preamp is matched by an all-valve interior. Hugh Robjohns gets a retro perspective.

Paul White tries the hybrid sound of SPL's new dual-channel precision microphone preamplifier.

TC Electronic's latest innovation is a dual-channel mic preamp/channel strip with comprehensive digital processing.

Can this intriguing little box really emulate the recorded sound of many of the world's greatest guitar amplifiers?

It's a Focusrite, Jim, but not as we know it! Is it possible to deliver Focusrite quality at such an aggressively low price?

Many mic preamps are marketed on the strength of the sound they claim to impart to your recordings, but the Event EMP1 is designed to sit as unobtrusively in your signal path as possible, amplifying quietly to itself. Hugh Robjohns investigates...

Oram are not a company to do things by halves; their Octasonic, as the name suggests, features a whopping eight channels of professional-quality mic amplification. David Mellor finds it's eight times a preamp....

TL Audio's Ivory range of affordable valve-based processors continues to expand. Big game hunter Paul White strikes (c)amp and bags the lates two in the herd... (SOS wishes to point out that no elephants were harmed during the writing of this review.)

David Mellor warms to TL Audio's new mid-range valve voice processor.

Can an expensive valve microphone preamp like this one really make that much diference to the quality of your recordings?