Burl Audio B1 500 Series Microphone Preamp with BX2 Nickel Output Transformer Reviews
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.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Magic
You can't go wrong with this pre. It's all the clean, warm tone you would want in a solid-state preamp. I want to be clear about that because I also use a Fredenstein tube pre to get that smooth tone I can't get from solid-state gear. I really wanted the best of both worlds for my recordings. This Burl preamp does have some weight to it. From what I understand, it's because of the large transformer.
Note that this pre has a gain and volume control. Some 500 Series preamps only have a gain control. That is a serious flaw, (in my book) because you could end up feeding the other signal processors a clean, but low, signal if you don't have a volume knob. I also appreciate the LED on it. That's another missing feature on some 500 Series preamps out there. but this pre has it all.
Overall, the Burl was a great investment.
Just a BEAST
This thing may be the best overall preamp I have ever used… At my disposal are vintage Langevin AM16s, API 312s, Jensens, Studer, CAPI, etc. and I've worked in studios with vintage Neve, SSL, Quad Eight etc. preamps. The Burl B1 holds its own with the best - and absolute beast on everything I use it for. My go to vocal preamp - shines with every mic I have whether it's a tube condenser, a ribbon, a large diaphragm dynamic, etc. My only problem is I don't have more! I have a friend with a rack full of these and they stack soooo well in mixes. B1Ds are also cool, but the B1's are my fav. Under the hood this pre is very impressive which isn't surprising based on the sound. Well done Rich!
Great pre-amp
It's a Burl, what more is there to say.. especially great on vocals and miking guitar amps. Really goes nicely with B2 Bomber. They were made for each other, and doesn't really need eq or compression in partnership. With the nickel transformer, does not quite have the grit of the B1D with the iron transformer and it is a little more versatile. I bought from Sweetwater new.
