Massive Tone in a 500 Series Preamp
Mic preamps can make or break your signal chain. The Burl B1 microphone preamp will make your recordings sing. Designed in the convenient 500 Series form factor, the B1 rocks an audiophile-grade signal path with Burl custom input and output transformers. Add punch to your drums and warmth to your vocals thanks to an all-discrete, Class A, capacitor-free, direct-coupled signal path. Wondering how this preamp will sound with your mics? Burl Audio has tested the B1 preamp extensively with many different microphones — including low-impedance ribbons — with amazing results. And with 70dB of gain on tap, you can feel free to use your lowest-output passive ribbon and dynamic mics on quiet sources. Whether you crank up the gain for punch and character or back off for warmth and presence, the Burl B1 mic pre is your gateway to great tone.
Related Videos: B1 500 Series Microphone Preamp with BX2 Nickel Output Transformer
Use it on any source with stunning results
With Burl Audio’s proprietary BX3 input transformer and BX2 output transformer, the B1 mic preamp delivers warm, audiophile-grade sound with clarity and depth. Its all-discrete-transistor, direct coupled, capacitor free, Class A circuit path gives the B1 jaw-dropping punch on drums, gorgeous tonality on guitars, and shimmering warmth with presence on vocals. With that said, there’s literally not a source that the B1 can’t finesse.
Amazing on electric guitars
The B1 is equipped with both Gain and Level controls. If you’re tracking, say, electric guitars and want a fat, aggressive “gainiac” sound, crank up the stepped gain control and offset it with the level control. If you’re going for sparkling cleans, dial the gain back and crank the level. B1 also has a transformer-coupled impedance select for ribbon mics and other low-impedance sources. Engineers at Sweetwater have put the B1 through the paces in its low-impedance setting with the popular Royer R-121 on guitar amps, and the results are nothing short of amazing.
Use it with any mic or direct instrument
Sure, the rocks on hot sources, but it also excels on quiet sources — and with any mic, whether dynamic, ribbon, or condenser. And when you’re ready to lay down some bass tracks DI, plug into the B1’s 1/4" instrument/line input on the front panel. Active pickups? Tap the 30dB Pad switch. The B1 takes balanced line inputs via its back-panel mic XLR.
Designed to rock
Burl Audio designed the B1 to rock. Instant attitude in a preamp! Instead of reaching for EQ and compression, run tracks or mixes through a pair of them for instant warmth, girth, punch, and glue. And here’s a handy signal chain tip: the B1 is designed to harmonize beautifully with Burl’s B2 Bomber ADC. Run your primary tracks through the B1 mic preamp, followed by the B2, and you’re golden.
Burl Audio B1 500 Series Microphone Preamp Features:
- Discrete, audiophile-grade, Class A, capacitor-free, direct-coupled circuit path
- Burl custom BX3 input transformer
- Burl custom BX2 nickel output transformer
- Stepped gain control; independent output level control
- 70dB gain handles even your lowest-output mics
- Transformer-coupled impedance select for ribbon mics and other low-impedance sources
- Front-panel 1/4" DI instrument/line input
- Takes balanced line inputs via its back-panel mic XLR
- 30dB pad for hot signals and balanced line level input
- Phantom power; polarity reverse
- Tri-colored gain level indication
- Requires compatible 500 Series chassis
