Channel Strips & Preamps
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Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-4 Four Channel Rackmount Mic Activator
- Four channels of clean gain for dynamic mics.
- Provides +25dB of ultra-clean, low-noise gain.
- XLR connectivity ensures optimal signal flow.
- Active circuitry delivers pristine sound quality.
- Rackmount design for studio integration.
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Rupert Neve Designs RNDI-M Active Transformer Direct Interface
- Exceptional sound quality with low noise floor.
- Active DI box ensures optimal impedance matching.
- Transformer DI provides superior audio versatility.
- High gain range captures every sonic nuance.
- Rugged build quality for lasting studio reliability.
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Whirlwind podDI Singe Output Direct Box
- podDI: Pristine audio, 20Hz-20kHz frequency response.
- XLR direct box: Balanced output for low noise signal.
- Passive DI box: Ensures durable, reliable performance.
- Stereo direct box: Dual RCA & 1/8" TRS connectivity.
- Hum eliminator: Ground lift switch reduces unwanted noise.
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Switchcraft Custom Transformer Stereo Audio Direct Box
- Premium stereo direct box ensures low noise audio.
- Wide 20Hz-40kHz frequency response for pristine sound.
- High input impedance >120KOhms; ideal for instruments.
- Balanced XLR output; <50 Ohms impedance for clarity.
- Durable build: aluminum housing for lasting quality.
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Ampeg SGT-DI Preamp and DI Pedal
- Ampeg SGT-DI: Studio-grade preamp for pristine sound.
- Low Noise: Ensures clean, professional audio recordings.
- Wide Gain Range: Offers versatile tone shaping options.
- Impedance Matching: Optimizes signal transfer flawlessly.
- Robust Build: Durable design for reliable performance.
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Whirlwind DIRECT2 Passive 2-Channel Direct Box
- DIRECT2: Ensures pristine signal clarity, low noise.
- Whirlwind DI Box: Impedance matching for optimal sound.
- Passive DI: Eliminates hum with ground lift feature.
- Dual-Channel DI: Handles stereo sources effectively.
- Studio-Grade DI: High gain, balanced XLR outputs.
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Switchcraft Custom Transformer Audio Direct Box
- Premium audio direct box with custom transformer.
- Wide 20Hz-40kHz frequency response ensures sound quality.
- Low noise: <0.009% THD+N for clean audio signal.
- Versatile direct box for MP3, laptops, DJ mixers.
- Durable aluminum housing for lasting performance.
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Art Pro Audio Pro Channel II 1-Channel Class A Tube Microphone Preamplifier
- Class A tube preamp ensures superior sound quality.
- Variable input impedance optimizes mic performance.
- Wide 70dB gain range for versatile mic options.
- Low noise design captures pristine audio signals.
- Optical compressor enhances dynamic control range.
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Samson Mono Passive Isolation Box
- Achieve pristine sound with low noise DI box.
- Broad 10Hz-75kHz frequency response for studio use.
- Ensure optimal gain range with +0.2dB gain.
- Robust build quality: 14-gauge steel chassis.
- XLR & 1/4" connectivity for versatile setup.
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Telefunken TDA-2 Dual Active FET Direct Box
- Dual channel direct box: Pristine audio quality.
- Active FET DI box: Exceptionally low noise floor.
- Custom OEP/Carnhill transformer: Superior build quality.
- Wide 20 Hz - 70 kHz frequency range for versatility.
- High input impedance ensures optimal gain range.
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Art Pro Audio VoiceChannel Tube Channel Strip with Digital Connectivity
- Pristine sound quality with low noise preamp design.
- Wide gain range: 0dB to +60dB for versatile use.
- Comprehensive impedance control for optimal tone.
- Flexible connectivity: XLR, Fiber Optic, and 1/4".
- Rugged build quality ensures lasting reliability.
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Rolls DB24 Stereo Direct Interface with Dual Channel
- Dual-channel direct box: pristine sound quality.
- Stereo direct interface with ground lift switches.
- Passive DI box: versatile impedance options.
- Balanced XLR outputs for low-noise recording.
- Variable attenuators control gain range easily.
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Rubert Neve Designs RNDI-S Stereo Active Transformer Direct Interface
- Stereo active DI box for pristine sound.
- Transformer DI ensures low noise, high clarity.
- Versatile DI for instruments & line-level sources.
- Rugged build quality ensures lasting reliability.
- XLR connectivity for balanced studio integration.
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Whirlwind ISOPOD2 Passive Stereo Direct Box
- Low-noise direct box ensures pristine sound quality.
- Stereo/Mono switch offers versatile audio routing.
- Passive DI box eliminates need for external power.
- XLR outputs provide balanced, pro-grade connectivity.
- Ground lift switch reduces hum for cleaner audio.
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Telefunken TDA-1 Mono Active FET Direct Box
- Telefunken TDA-1: Achieve pristine sound quality.
- Active FET DI Box: Ensures ultra-low noise levels.
- Custom Transformer: Provides superior impedance options.
- Ideal DI Box: Broad 20 Hz - 70 kHz frequency range.
- Robust build: Telefunken DI for lasting reliability.
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Pro Co Sound MS43A 4 Channel 3 Way Rack Mount Mic Splitter
- Pristine audio: Low-noise mic preamp splitter.
- Isolate signals with transformer-isolated outputs.
- Pro Co Sound: Broad 20Hz-20kHz frequency response.
- Rackmount splitter: Streamline studio connectivity.
- Optimize gain: Handles up to 8dBv input levels.
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dbx 286s Mic Preamp/Channel Strip Processor
- Pristine sound quality with low noise DBX preamp.
- Adjustable gain range: 0dB to +60dB for optimal levels.
- Versatile input impedance for mic and line sources.
- Comprehensive connectivity: balanced and unbalanced I/O.
- Rugged build quality ensures lasting reliability.
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Golden Age Project COMP-554 1-Ch Vintage Style Tube Compressor for 500 Format
- Vintage tube compressor enriches sound quality.
- Achieve optimal gain range with discrete signal path.
- Balanced transformer I/O ensures low noise audio.
- Precise impedance matching for pristine recordings.
- 500 series module offers seamless connectivity.
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Lindell Audio WL-3 500 Series 3-Channel Strip with 3-Band Equalizer
- Pristine sound with low noise microphone preamp.
- Sculpt sound with a precise 3-band equalizer.
- Achieve optimal gain range with 65dB of power.
- Integrate easily with 500 series power chassis.
- Phantom power ensures compatibility with mics.
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Black Lion Audio B12A Quad 4-Channel Preamp with Mic and DI Inputs, 1 RU
- B12A Quad: Pristine sound with low noise circuitry.
- Four channels of high-gain microphone preamplifiers.
- DI inputs offer impedance matching for instruments.
- XLR & 1/4" connectivity ensures versatile setup.
- Robust build quality in a space-saving 1 RU design.
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Art Pro Audio DUALXDirect Professional Dual Channel Active Direct Box
- Pro Audio DUALXDirect: Pristine sound quality.
- Low noise active DI box ensures clean signal path.
- Versatile DI box: Perfect for stage or studio use.
- Rugged build: Reliable direct box for any setup.
- Easy to use: Simple setup for quick audio routing.
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Whirlwind Multisplitter Rack-mountable 4-Channel 1x2 Microphone Signal Splitter
- Pristine audio: Low-noise microphone preamplifier.
- Four channels: Split mic signals with ease.
- Rack-mountable: Integrate into your studio setup.
- Wide frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz (+/-1dB).
- Durable build: Reliable Whirlwind quality.
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Neumann Digital Microphone Computer Interface for Solution D D 01 and KM D
- Eight channels of pristine Neumann preamp sound.
- Digital mic interface with AES/EBU connectivity.
- Remote gain control via USB for streamlined workflow.
- Low noise preamplifier ensures clean recordings.
- Supports sampling rates up to 192 kHz for high fidelity.
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Cloud Microphones CL-Zi Single Channel DI and Mic Activator, Variable Impedance
- Enhance sound quality with low-noise Cloudlifter CL-Zi.
- Variable impedance optimizes mic/instrument DI signal.
- Provides up to +25dB clean gain for XLR microphones.
- Ideal for dynamic, ribbon, and tube microphones.
- Sculpt tone with a built-in high-pass filter.
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Heritage Audio OST-10 v2.0 500 Series 10-Slot Rack with OS Tech Technology
- 10-slot 500 Series rack: Expands studio options.
- OS Tech ensures low noise, pristine audio quality.
- XLR connectivity: Seamless integration into any setup.
- Phantom power: Supports condenser microphones easily.
- Precise impedance control for optimal gain range.
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Even if you do most of your audio mixing and recording in a digital audio workstation (DAW), you still need to invest in select audio components like channel strips and preamps.
What Are Channel Strips and Preamps Used For?
Audio channel strips and preamps are both important components in sound engineering. They prepare an audio signal from a source, like an instrument or a microphone, for recording or live broadcasting.
Channel Strips
Channel strips are arranged in either a vertical or horizontal format with the audio signal flowing from one end to the other. The signal passes from a source input like an XLR jack through a series of controls including, gain, equalizer, high pass filters, effects knobs, pan knobs, mute controls, and a fader knob before culminating in an output port.
By adjusting each of these knobs and controls, you can fine-tune the signal as it passes through the channel strip to achieve your preferred sound.
Preamps
A preamp is a component that takes a line-level sound signal and boosts it. Once you boost it, you can send the signal on for more processing in the channel strip or directly transmit it to an amplifier.
Audio channel strips traditionally include a preamp component, but preamps and channel strips aren’t the same thing.
Number of Channels
Channel mixers come in a few different sizes depending on how many separate signals you need to work with. Mono or single channel strips can only accept one signal, so they’re commonly used for a microphone or single instrument input.
If you want to adjust multiple input signals, you can either use several single channel strips installed in a rack, or select an audio channel strip containing multiple channel inputs. The more channels you have, the more individual signals you can adjust and control.
Inputs
XLR is among the most commonly used audio inputs, but you can also choose a channel strip with ¼-inch, ?-inch, ethernet, RCA, or other input ports.
Quality is Crucial for Channel Strips and Preamps
Whether you do most of your audio engineering digitally or you prefer to work analog, it’s important to choose the highest quality components possible. By selecting professional-grade gear from brands like Behringer, Whirlwind, and Millennia, you can avoid interference, hums, and signal loss in your next piece of audio.