Circuitry in the analog preamp section of the interface is controlled via software when you select one of UA’s modeled preamp plug-ins.įig 7 UA’s Unison technology combines software & hardware to emulate classic preamps: (Top) Inserting a Unison preamp model in the UA Console (Bottom) some Unison-equipped plug-ins The interaction between source (mic) and the preamp-output impedance->input impedance-can’t be recreated inside the box-a digital simulation can’t look backwards and affect the voltage transfer from the mic, and that’s a key component of the magic of the best analog mic/preamp combinations (that’s the way so many of the preamps I mentioned offer variable impedance options).īut Universal Audio has tackled this issue in some of their interfaces (including the latest Apollo/Twin units). That’s because there’s more to a preamp than just emulating the effect of the different stages in the circuit path. There are plug-ins modeling almost all the classic pieces of analog gear (compressors, EQs), but digital versions of preamps are not as widely found. As we all know, analog circuitry is routinely emulated nowadays in software, via component modeling, where the entire circuit path of a piece of analog gear is replicated in code. This last entry is something a little different. An entry in their “Really Nice” series (which includes a compressor-RNC-and limiter-RNLA), the RNP-a dual-channel model which can be had for about $475-is a clean Class-A design based around modern op-amps, which provides excellent sound for a not-too-stiff price. The ISA-One also includes variable input Impedance, along with other niceties like insert points, an independent DI channel, and an optional A-D card.Īnother reasonably priced quality preamp is the FMR RNP-“Really Nice Preamp”. The ISA-One (along with its multi-channel brethren) is a solid-state preamp (based on Rupert Neve’s original ISA-110 module) with a clear, warm sound, thanks to its Lundahl (LL1538) input Transformer, a classic circuit that’s lent its analog warmth to many of Focusrite’s designs (ISA-110, Focusrite Red series).

Nobody would associate the name Focusrite with “budget” gear-the company (originally founded by none other than Rupert Neve) has provided a number of modern classics, like the Red series processors.

A perfect example of this is the Focusrite ISA-One, a single-channel preamp which you can find for around $450 (street). First off, most of them aren’t that cheap, and second, the best of them are truly excellent preamps that just happen to have been designed to come in at a slightly more accessible price that most of the others I’ve mentioned. I decided against titling this entry “budget preamps”, because some of the models I’m going to mention really don’t deserve that sometimes pejorative title.

How to use neve 1073 preamp