PreSonus Studio Channel - 1-Channel 12AX7 Vacuum-Tube Mic/Instrument Preamplifier with Tube Driver Control and 3-Band EQ in Black Finish

The PreSonus Studio Channel is a high-performance, single-channel channel strip that combines a tube preamp, VCA-based compressor, and three-band parametric EQ, making it an ideal solution for musicians, engineers, and live sound professionals alike. Whether you're recording in the studio or performing live, the Studio Channel delivers a wide range of tonal possibilities, offering everything from transparent, clean amplification to rich, overdriven sounds. Designed for versatility, it's perfect for vocals, guitars, bass, or any other instrument that requires a powerful, dynamic preamp.

The core of the Studio Channel is its Class A 12AX7 vacuum-tube mic/instrument preamplifier, which provides a wide gain range of +10 dB to +54 dB, delivering tons of headroom and a large, dynamic sound. The Tube Drive control allows you to seamlessly blend solid-state clarity with tube saturation, letting you dial in everything from smooth, transparent amplification to gritty distortion. For further flexibility, the preamp section features a -20 dB pad, a switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter, and a polarity-reverse switch, providing full control over your input signal.

To further shape and control your sound, the Studio Channel is equipped with a fully variable VCA compressor. This compressor is renowned for its musicality and fast attack, allowing you to tame the quickest transients without sacrificing dynamics. With adjustable threshold, ratio, attack, release, and makeup gain, this compressor can handle everything from subtle level control to more extreme compression effects. The Auto Attack/Release switch allows for preset attack and release curves, giving you flexibility depending on the material you're working with. The analog VU meter provides precise metering, showing either gain reduction or output gain for easy monitoring.

The Studio Channel also features a high-performance three-band EQ, offering independent frequency and gain controls for the low, mid, and high bands. The mid-frequency band is fully parametric, with a variable Q control, allowing you to make fine adjustments for your mix. The low- and high-frequency bands are semi-parametric, with gain and frequency controls, and can be used as either shelving or peak filters. The EQ can be switched to operate pre- or post-compressor, and you can bypass the EQ, compressor, or the entire channel strip as needed, providing even more flexibility.

With input options for both mic and instrument sources, the Studio Channel makes it easy to integrate into your signal chain. It includes one XLR mic input, one unbalanced 1/4-inch instrument input, and one balanced 1/4-inch line input, allowing you to use a variety of sources. The Studio Channel's output section includes both balanced XLR and 1/4-inch TRS connectors, providing reliable signal routing to your audio interface, amplifier, or PA system. The output fader allows for precise level adjustment, and the meter provides feedback on output levels, ensuring optimal performance.

Housed in a rugged, 1U rack-mountable chassis, the Studio Channel is built to endure the demands of professional use in both studio and live environments. It also features sealed, detented rotary controls for precise and repeatable adjustments. Powered by an external 16V AC power supply, this channel strip is easy to integrate into your rack setup. Whether you're recording, mixing, or performing live, the PreSonus Studio Channel is the ultimate tool for shaping your sound.

Features

• Class A 12AX7 vacuum-tube preamp with Tube Drive control for tonal flexibility
• Gain control range of +10 dB to +54 dB for transparent amplification or saturated tube distortion
• Switchable 48V phantom power, 80 Hz high-pass filter, -20 dB pad, and polarity-reverse switch
• VCA-based compressor with adjustable threshold, ratio, attack, release, and makeup gain
• Auto Attack/Release switch with preset curves for dynamic control
• Three-band parametric EQ with frequency, gain, and Q controls for precise tonal shaping
• High-frequency and low-frequency bands can be used as shelving or peak filters
• Backlit VU meter for gain reduction or output level monitoring
• One XLR mic input, one unbalanced 1/4-inch instrument input, and one balanced 1/4-inch line input
• Balanced XLR and unbalanced 1/4-inch TRS outputs for flexible connectivity
• Compact 1U rack-mountable design with rugged steel chassis
• External 16V AC power supply for reliable operation
• Dimensions: 19 x 1.75 x 5.5 inches, Weight: 5 lbs

Specifications

Specifications

• Channels: One
• Dynamic Range: >115 dB
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 50 kHz
• Internal Operating Level: 0 dBu = 0 dB

Microphone Preamp

• Gain: -6 dB to +66 dB (+/- 10 dB trim on line input)
• Noise Floor: -96 dBu
• EIN: -126 dB
• THD + Noise (0% Tube Drive): < 0.050%
• THD + Noise (100% Tube Drive): < 0.10%
• Microphone Input Connector: XLR
• Microphone Input Impedance: 1.3 kΩ
• Instrument Input Connector: 1/4-inch TS
• Instrument Input Impedance: 1 MΩ
• Line Input Connector: 1/4-inch TRS
• Line Input Impedance: 10 kΩ
• Phantom Power (switchable): +48V
• Pad (switchable): 0 dB / -20 dB
• Phase (switchable): 0°, 180°
• Hi-pass filter (switchable): -3 dB at 80 Hz

Compressor

• Threshold (variable): -40 dBu to +2 dBu
• Ratio (variable): 1-10 (1:1 to 10:1)
• Attack (variable): 0.1 to 200 ms
• Release (variable): 0.05 ms to 3 s
• Gain Make Up: -10 dB to +10 dB
• Metering: Analog VU (Gain Reduction / Output)

Equalizer

• LF Band Controls
  • Frequency: Variable from 40 Hz to 500 kHz
  • Gain: Variable between +10 dB
  • Q: 0.7 (on 'peak' setting)
• MF Band Controls
  • Frequency: Variable from 200 Hz to 3 kHz
  • Gain: Variable from -10 dB to +10 dB
  • Q: Variable from 0.7 to 2.5
• HF Band Controls
  • Frequency: Variable from 2 kHz to 20 kHz
  • Gain: Variable between +10 dB
  • Q: 0.7 (on 'peak' setting)

Master

• Output Fader: -80 dB to +10 dB
• Output Connectors: XLR Balanced and 1/4-inch TRS Balanced/Unbalanced
• Output Impedance: 51 Ω
• Metering (Output level): Analog VU (-20 dBu to +6 dBu)
• Metering (Gain Reduction): Analog VU -20 dB to 0 dB
• Output Headroom: +22 dB

Power Supply

• Type: Linear
• Input: 16 VAC / 1000 mA
• Power Requirements (Continuous): 16W
• Transformer: External (country specific)

Physical

• Size: 1U Rack
• Dimensions: 19 x 1.75 x 5.5 inches
• Weight: 5 lbs