Symetrix 302

The Symetrix 302 is a discontinued dual channel microphone preamplifier that can be used for a variety of purposes. I've got experience using the 302 in a recording studio setting, as I'm an audio engineer for music, but they do also advertise this as a broadcast microphone preamplifier as well. The connections that it has are XLR inputs for your microphone, and balanced 1/4" and speaker cable outputs for each of the channels as well. It also has a MIDI jack which I've yet to use for anything. It is a half rack piece of gear, as it doesn't take up a full space horizontally.

UTILIZATION

The make up of the Symetrix 302 isn't really too difficult to follow in my opinion. In fact, it's pretty straight forward. Each of the two channels has a knob for gain to set your level coming in, and buttons for a -15 db pad and a polarity button as well. There is also a phantom power button which applies for both of the channels. That's just about everything that you need to know about using the 302, or at least everything that can be shown on paper. The manual has all the information that you'd need, but it isn't necessary.

SOUND QUALITY

For a dual channel microphone preamp in this price range, the Symetrix 302 definitely has a legitimate sound. I don't know why it was discontinued, as this is really a great deal for home and professional studio owners alike. I haven't tried out the 302 for every typical application, but for what I have used it for it's done a great job. These applications include electric and acoustic guitar, as well as tom to drums. I'm hoping that I can try the 302 out for some other applications in the near future now that I'll have access to it more often at the studio where I work as it definitely has a full bodied worthy of trying out in many different situations.

OVERALL OPINION

I don't know how easy it would be to get a used Symetrix 302, but I would imagine it wouldn't be too tough as it hasn't been all that long since they stopped making these. It's definitely the perfect in between mic preamp in terms of having both a professional sound and a price tag that won't break the bank. If you have a home or a professional studio, this is worth checking out as it's rare to find a piece of gear that can cross over like this one can...