A Designs P1 Single Channel Microphone Preamp Module
In recording, there are certain things that you can only know through years of experience, such as which preamp works best on vocals, which one rules on guitar, or what preamp to use if you have a dark-sounding instrument or mic that needs some brightening. With A Designs Audio's EM series preamps you can let the 60 years of combined experience and super tone-sensitive ears of Jon Erickson and Pete Montessi save you years trying eek secrets out of pro engineers and lurking on forums. Each preamp in the series is designed to handle specific recording chores with the remarkable sound quality that A Designs Audio is now famous for. (Read the buzz on the forums, you'll find nothing but raves.) Best of all, you get high-quality audio in a space-saving and affordable package.

Custom transformers, the key to a big punchy sound

In solid-state preamp design, the key to a big punchy sound rests in the input and output transformers. (That's where you get what is known as the "big iron" sound of the '70s). To ensure top-quality sound, A Designs has their transformers custom-built by Tom Reichenbach of Cine-Mag, whose lineage extends back the days when his father Ed built transformers for Altec-Lansing in the '40s. Not only are the transformer hand-made, they're also "ear-made" by Jon (who spent years rebuilding vintage gear for LA studios), and Peter (longtime LA musician and preamp guru), who won't okay a transformer design until they get exactly the sound they're looking for. With the A Designs P1, you can put those ears and 60 years of combined experience to work for you and bring your recordings to new sonic heights.

A single, affordable channel of the incredible Pacifica for your A Designs lunchbox
According to A Designs owner Peter Montessi, the P-1 was created in order to make the sound of the Pacifica, which has garnered nothing but rave reviews, accessible to more people. For those not familiar, the Pacifica has the sound of the already legendary Quad Eight console as its inspiration -- and that's a very important distinction. The P-1 and Pacifica are NOT clones of the Quad Eight. They have a sound all their own that's reminiscent of the Quad Eight (used to mix Pink Floyd's The Wall and Boston's "More Than a Feeling"), and according to Quad Eight owners, the Pacifica sounds better. Like the Pacifica, the P-1 rules on guitars, is excellent for vocals and makes acoustic guitars shimmer. It's one of the most versatile preamps there is.

This affordable high-end solid-state pre features 48V switchable phantom power, -20dB pad switch, and phase reversal. Custom wound output and input transformers, and direct inject hi-Z input for instruments. As with all A Designs Audio Modular preamps, the P-1 is VPR Alliance compliant.


Requires the A Designs R52 (product # 180038) dual slot external power supply (See accessory box below).