$599, monoprice.com
Neve’s 1073 preamp is a studio icon. However, right now, only one module can set you again 1000’s of {dollars}. Fortunately, there are many manufacturers, identical to Monoprice, who’re providing a extra inexpensive various.
Monoprice’s Stage Proper vary is a dual-channel microphone and line preamp based mostly upon the traditional Neve 1073 module. The unique preamps first appeared in 1970, with 28 of them constructed into Neve’s A88 console, which turned revered for its full-bodied, expansive ‘British’ sound.
The design has been copied many instances and we’ve reviewed a number of of them through the years – such because the diminutive Golden Age Mission PRE-73 Jr and Heat Audio’s WA273-EQ, which emulates the design full with the unique console’s EQ part. Neve nonetheless presents a spread of 1073 merchandise, which characteristic its unique Marinair transformers, not present in any clones.
Although not an actual reproduction of Neve’s traditional items, the SR Studio Stage Proper’s entrance panel is neatly specified by a standard method, with out mimicking the quirky nature of the real 1073 design. The unique (and at present out there) Neve items make use of an enter achieve management that enables entry to both mic or line ranges alongside numerous factors of the dial. SR Studio’s unit, nonetheless, makes use of a properly indented, blue colour-coded pot to regulate achieve together with a toggle change to pick out mic or line operation. It’s a much more intuitive method and one we welcome as a nod to modernity, reasonably than slavishly copying the historic design. This pot additionally controls the enter degree for the DI (direct enter), unbalanced quarter-inch jack socket.
Mic achieve vary is 20 to 80 dB; greater than sufficient for even essentially the most insensitive, power-hungry microphones, whereas achieve is lowered by 30 dB for line mode. The adjoining, pink output management adjusts the extent of the output to your recording interface or the subsequent unit in your sign chain to forestall overloading. It’s worthwhile experimenting with the enter and output controls, as dialling-in extra achieve whereas easing again the output will add extra preamp color to your sign. Driving the achieve tougher into the enter transformer permits the creation of some warmly saturated tones for added grit and edge. Wanting contained in the unit reveals a neat format, nonetheless the transformers are unbranded. A fast question as to their provenance supplies us with the knowledge that they’re based mostly upon a Carnhill design.
In addition to the change for mic/line operation, there are push-button switches for section (polarity invert), 48v phantom energy, DI and Low-Z. Low-Z units the impedance degree of the mic/line and DI, with 300 or 1200 Ohms selectable in mic mode. This can be utilized to pick out the perfect impedance match for any given microphone or to easily alter the tonal character for impact; in spite of everything, you received’t injury your mics by deciding on the ‘flawed’ impedance.
Every channel has a four-step LED output meter, with three inexperienced LEDs and a fourth pink one labelled ‘clip’. Don’t be alarmed by the clip LED, as in regular operation it ought to illuminate often on the best peaks. Solely scale back degree to forestall clipping if the pink LED illuminates too steadily.
On the rear panel every channel has a mic/line enter by way of a mix ¼-inch TRS/XLR socket, which accepts balanced indicators from microphones and line-level sources. Balanced output is offered from both an XLR connector or the ¼-inch TRS jack; alternatively, the jack outputs an unbalanced sign when utilizing a ¼-inch TS cable. An insert socket is included to facilitate an exterior outboard machine akin to an equaliser or compressor. Additionally on the rear panel is a barrel connector for the equipped 24v AC energy provide.
Proper from the get-go, it’s clear that Monoprice/SR Studio has efficiently achieved its purpose of making a preamp with the traditional traits of the unique 1073. Recording acoustic guitar with an AKG C414 B-ULS reveals off this character, which is, as the corporate says, heat, punchy, candy and musical. It’s a sound that flatters most audio sources, working significantly properly with rock and pop recordings of every kind. It’s not essentially the most impartial or clear of preamps although — the unique 1073 by no means was – but it imparts an enormous, larger-than-life sound that provides energy to drum kits, for instance.
Bass devices are properly served by the preamp’s agency and muscular low-end response, with not one of the weak-kneed flub we bear in mind from the finances, semi-pro consoles prevalent within the pre-digital age.
Bear in mind although, that not like the overwhelming majority of preamps out there right now, this design doesn’t incorporate a high-pass filter. However then neither does Neve’s personal, at present out there 1073 devoted mic pre. This lack of filtering needn’t be an excessive amount of of an issue although, particularly you probably have a mic with an on-board excessive cross and, in any case, undesirable subsonic rumble will be subsequently filtered out inside your DAW.
Additionally consistent with the well-loved sonic signature of the 1073 is the highest finish response, which is easy and candy, coating the treble area with a shiny sheen. It’s not the final phrase in super-top extension although, as extra fashionable, clear preamp designs would possibly supply an additional diploma of air and sparkle.
The place most ultra-clean mic-preamps can’t compete with this one nonetheless, is within the midrange, which is richly detailed with a velvet-like texture; there’s no brittle grain or hardness right here. This lends a definite sense of realism and vibrancy to vocals for instance, with not one of the vague and tonally gray sound of lesser preamps.
Because the mid band is so expressive and impactful, it lends itself to a contact of excessive finish enhance on sure sources; consider the 16kHz high enhance from a traditional Pultec-like equaliser so as to add a way of air to pristine vocals, for instance.
To make pristine, clear sounds extra thrilling, it’s value experimenting with the connection between the enter and output controls. Growing the enter achieve to work the transformer arduous supplies color, with added harmonics, whereas actually driving the output produces wealthy saturation for that genuine analogue classic vibe. Do that out with a bass guitar plugged into the DI socket to listen to this impact. And you probably have an outboard compressor at hand, use the insert operate to create an awesome ready-to-record bass guitar tone.
Monoprice is onto a winner with the well-built and budget-friendly SR Studio mic preamp. It has heaps of classic analogue character and an actual rock ‘n’ roll coronary heart.
Key options
- 20 – 80dB achieve
- Switchable 300/1200 Ohm impedance
- Switchable phantom energy and absolute section
- DI enter for devices
- 4-step LED output meter
- Insert jack for outboard tools
- 20Hz – 20kHz frequency response (+/- 5dB)
