Enter to Win a $8000 PA System!

Universal Audio SOLO/110

1-channel Mic Preamp/DI Box with Universal Audio 8110 Circuitry
Item ID: Solo110

Sorry, the Universal Audio SOLO/110 is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only.
Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.

We recommend these great replacements:

Most Popular Accessories & Related Items

Universal Audio SOLO/110
Back to navigation

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

Great UA Sound in a Portable Preamp/DI!

The SOLO/110 brings the "ultra fidelity" and tonal variety of UA's flagship Precision 110 series mic preamplifiers to the single channel format in a rugged, highly versatile form factor at a price every project studio can afford. Unlike stationary rack gear, the SOLO 110 can be conveniently used in the control room or recording room, on stage or desktop, due to its portable "go anywhere" design. Functionally lean but sonically mean, the SOLO/110 mirrors the sound of UA's flagship Precision line, and has the same solid build and audiophile components from the Precision 8110/4110.

The SOLO/110 features continuous Gain and Level control and combines the tonal variety of the Precision "Shape" switch found on its more expensive cousins right into the unit's gain structuring. The SOLO/110 has all the essential and maintains the Precision's flexible dual impedance selection for both Mic and DI inputs. The SOLO/110 also includes essential DI features like Thru plus Ground Lift and and a versatile Line/Mic level output switch. The SOLO/110 is hand-assembled by Universal Audio in the USA.

Universal Audio Solo/110 Features:
  • Universal Audio's flagship All Discrete Mic Preamplifier and DI
  • World-class "ultra fidelity" mic pre at project studio price
  • Gain, Level, and impedance selection for maximum tonal variety
  • Portable design for studio, desktop or stage
  • Rugged construction-steel chassis
  • DI features like Thru and Mic/Line level output
  • Custom input transformer
  • UA build quality and heritage, hand-assembled in USA

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage

Free 2-year Warranty

Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ Warranty gives you extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Tools Icon

Save money with free parts & labor!

Fast Icon

Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time.

Award Icon

Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department.

Back to navigation

Tech Specs

  • Manufacturer Part Number: S110

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

Back to navigation

Hear from a Sales Engineer

What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Mitch Gallagher

Universal Audio's involvement in the professional audio business goes back a long way - the original company's products date back to Bill Putnam Sr.'s groundbreaking designs back in the 1950s. Now Universal Audio has added two new preamps to its line-up: The Solo/110 and Solo/610. The two Solos are nearly identical externally; but inside they're very different animals. The tube-based Solo/610 is based on the historic original 610 console Putnam built, which was used by artists ranging from Sinatra to Van Halen. The solid-state Solo/110 is a discrete Class A preamp based on Universal Audio's high-end Precision 8110 and 4110 models. Both models are housed in the same rugged steel "desktop"-style enclosure, which has a convenient handle on top and an angled front panel that makes seeing settings easy. This form factor makes it easy to grab a Solo and place it in the studio near a microphone, to take it on location, or to position it near your computer, recorder, or mixer. You can rackmount up to three units side-by-side using an optional rackmount shelf. Aside from the fact that the two units have different circuits inside, each has its own types of switches and knobs - the 610 goes for big "vintage"-style knobs and toggle switches, the 110 has lighted pushbutton switches and streamlined "modern" knobs. Both preamps have a DI input (with a DI thru connection for routing the signal to a guitar or bass amp), high and low input impedance settings, switchable phantom power, a low-cut filter, and a phase (polarity) switch on their front panels. Knobs are provided for controlling input gain and output level; a tri-color LED shows signal present, near clipping, and clipping. Around back, each has a power switch and IEC power cable connection, an XLR mic input, and an XLR output with switchable mic/line level setting and ground lift switch. You might think that "straight-ahead" preamps like the Solo series have just one sound. But in fact, these are quite versatile units. First up, you can alter the tone of the preamps by changing the input impedance. Beyond this, you can dial in the tone to taste using the gain structure of the preamp. By running the input gain control lower and the output level higher, you get a clean, transparent tone. Turn up the input gain and turn the output down, and you get a fatter, more harmonically rich tone. It works sort of like a guitar amp - turn the preamp up for more drive, and use the output control to set the final volume. Although they're operationally identical, naturally there are tonal differences between the 610 and 110. The 110 tends toward a clear, pristine, sound, without a lot of coloration - perfect for when you want to capture a natural, realistic sound. I found that it compared favorably to some of the high-end "straight-wire" preamps in my studio. As you turn up the gain, the 610 has all the tube "girth" and punch that you'd expect from a vintage design - we're talking fat, with a smooth top end. It's great for rounding out and warming up a signal. Whether you're looking for a pure, clean sound or a vintage tube-ified tone, the Solo/110 and Solo/610 deliver. They're compact, convenient, and decidedly affordable. In fact, you'll want both; I found the two units were perfectly complementary to one another. Where one wasn't right for a signal, the other stepped right in and sounded great. Both are clean, quiet, rugged, and easy to use. Universal Audio has a pair of winners on their hands with the new Solo preamps!
read more
Close Close $8,000 PA System Giveaway -- input your email address below to enter or click here to learn more.

See giveaway details & rules or check out our past winners!

Success!

Your email, test has been entered to win this giveaway. Good Luck!