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moosers
Published on 01/31/10 at 22:36
The Electro-Harmonix 12AY7 Mic Preamp is a tube based single channel microphone preamplifier in the form of a box. The unit has two Electro-Harmonix tubes built into it, along with both XLR and 1/4" connections. The pre is made up of all analog parts, and won't fit in any sort of rack space as it is similar to the box of a foot pedal.
UTILIZATION
Even if you don't have much experience with mic pres, the Electro-Harmonix 12AY7 Mic Preamp isn't anything that you have to worry about in terms of utilization. The pre has knobs for input gain and 1/4" output level, along with switches for bypass, high pass filter, and polarity. I've never had a need to check out the manual for this mic pre, as I found it easy enough to use on its own without the assistance of one.
SOUND QUALITY
The overall tone of the Electro-Harmonix 12AY7 Mic Preamp is pretty awesome, as it definitely gives you that thick tube sound. While it isn't the cleanest tube mic pre I've heard, as far as single channel tube based mic pres in this price range go, it doesn't get all that much better than this. The pre can be used to record just about anything, although I've only used it with electric guitar. This is the perfect little pre to add to your home studio collection for times when you want a warmer and/or different tone than what might be offered on your audio interface or solid state mic pres.
OVERALL OPINION
While I can't say that the Electro-Harmonix 12AY7 Mic Preamp is the best sounding tube mic pre out there, it is one of the best sounding in this price range. There are a lot of options now for tube based mic pres in this price range, but a lot of them don't sound all that good, and this is definitely one of the better ones that I have used and/or heard. It'll only cost you around $200 USD, which is not bad at all considering the great sound and tube versatility being offered up here by EH. While it is a bit strange how it is cased up, this isn't a bother to me and is overall a desirable tube mic pre for home studio owners.
UTILIZATION
Even if you don't have much experience with mic pres, the Electro-Harmonix 12AY7 Mic Preamp isn't anything that you have to worry about in terms of utilization. The pre has knobs for input gain and 1/4" output level, along with switches for bypass, high pass filter, and polarity. I've never had a need to check out the manual for this mic pre, as I found it easy enough to use on its own without the assistance of one.
SOUND QUALITY
The overall tone of the Electro-Harmonix 12AY7 Mic Preamp is pretty awesome, as it definitely gives you that thick tube sound. While it isn't the cleanest tube mic pre I've heard, as far as single channel tube based mic pres in this price range go, it doesn't get all that much better than this. The pre can be used to record just about anything, although I've only used it with electric guitar. This is the perfect little pre to add to your home studio collection for times when you want a warmer and/or different tone than what might be offered on your audio interface or solid state mic pres.
OVERALL OPINION
While I can't say that the Electro-Harmonix 12AY7 Mic Preamp is the best sounding tube mic pre out there, it is one of the best sounding in this price range. There are a lot of options now for tube based mic pres in this price range, but a lot of them don't sound all that good, and this is definitely one of the better ones that I have used and/or heard. It'll only cost you around $200 USD, which is not bad at all considering the great sound and tube versatility being offered up here by EH. While it is a bit strange how it is cased up, this isn't a bother to me and is overall a desirable tube mic pre for home studio owners.