Transparent, Reference-grade 500 Series Mic Pre
Audio professionals who want to hear their mic and DI signals clean and pristine will love the Wolff Audio RefPre reference 500 Series microphone preamp. Unlike preamps such as Wolf Audio’s transformer-equipped Tutti that intentionally impart coloration to input signals, Wolff Audio mastermind Paul Wolff based the RefPre design around a minimalist transformerless circuit, resulting in an ultra-transparent sound that is unerringly faithful to the source. Equipped with robust headroom and an additional 10dB boost circuit, RefPre can handily accommodate all your microphones, regardless of output. In plain terms, if it’s transparency and versatility you seek, the Wolff Audio RefPre leads the pack. Slide one into your 500 Series rack, plug in your favorite mic, and you’ll hear what we’re talking about!
Related Videos: RefPre 500 Series Microphone/Instrument Preamp
Streamline your creative process
Experienced recording engineers and producers know that choosing a mic and preamp all depends on the vocalist or instrumentalist, the musical setting, and the sound concept for a given project. High accuracy in a preamp can assist in this endeavor by removing a variable in your signal chain. The RefPre, for example, facilitates the process of auditioning microphones by accurately conveying their sonic characteristics, such as presence peaks. It will also allow virtual emulation mics to work as intended. This purist approach certainly has its place in the modern studio as a complement to those prized vintage rock ’em, sock ’em preamps many of us grew up with.
Use any mic in your locker
Reflecting the clean circuit path within, the Wolff Audio RefPre sports an uncluttered top-panel layout with three grippy knobs, five illuminating buttons, and a combo input that is selectable for instrument/hi-Z or Mic. A stepped rotary switch facilitates repeatable input Gain adjustment from -10dB to 60dB in 10dB steps. Below, you’ll find a +/-6dB Trim control for precise gain adjustment. Activating the special Ribbon mic circuit provides an extra 10dB of gain with auto impedance adjustment and phantom power lockout. With 70dB of gain on tap, you can even use your lowest output passive mics on quiet sources, making microphone selection a creative decision rather than a technical one. The bottom knob, labelled Fader, controls the output. Polarity reverse, 48V phantom power, 80Hz highpass filter, and hi-Z instrument switches complete the control set.
Wolff Audio: a fusion of pro audio expertise and cutting-edge technology
Founded in 2023, Wolff Audio emerged from a partnership between pro audio pioneer Paul Wolff and visionary startup DCA. Renowned for his sonic prowess, Paul's impressive résumé spans multiple decades, including integral contributions to legendary brands such as API, Fix Audio Designs, and Tonelux. His designs have also driven breakthrough technologies for Steven Slate, A-Designs, and Sunset Sound, among others. Wolff Audio's products seamlessly blend Paul's inventive analog-based designs with DCA's cutting-edge digital engineering. Centered around its mission to deliver high-performance pro audio tools, the company's menu spans large- and medium-format recording consoles, vintage-inspired analog processors, mic preamps, equalizers, compressors, and other essential studio gear. Many of these products are augmented by state-of-the-art workflow enhancements, including digital control, networking capabilities, integrated AD/DA conversion, and Dante support. Sweetwater is thrilled to partner with Wolff Audio and impart its expertise and innovation to our customers.
Wolff Audio RefPre Features:
- Reference-grade 500 Series mic/instrument preamp
- Transformerless microphone preamp
- Stepped rotary switch for repeatable input gain adjustment from -10dB to 60dB in 10dB steps
- Ribbon mic circuit provides an extra 10dB of gain with auto impedance adjustment and phantom power lockout
- +/-6dB Trim control for precise gain adjustment
- Output fader with continuous adjustment
- Frequency response: 10Hz–80kHz (+/-0.5dB)
- Low noise and distortion: 125dBu EIN; 0.0005% distortion @ 60dB gain
- High headroom: +28dBu output
- Switchable 12dB/octave 80Hz highpass filter
- Signal indicator LED glows green on signal and flashes red at +18dBu (10dB below clipping)
- Front- and rear-panel access for mic input
- Front-panel mic/Instrument combo input with dedicated hi-Z input amp (accessed via INST switch)
- Polarity reverse, 48V phantom power switches
- Relay-based gain adjustments and switches for robust reliability
- Designed and built in Santa Barbara, CA
