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PreSonus STUDIOCHANNEL Vacuum-Tube Channel Strip, Blue

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$359.99

$ 99 .00 $99.00

In Stock

About this item

  • High-voltage Class A 12AX7 vacuum-tube mic/instrument Preamplifier
  • Gain, tube drive, HP filter, -20 dB pad, Phantom power, polarity reverse3-band EQ features variable-q on mid-band w/ peak/shelving on high- and low-bands
  • Variable VCA compressor with auto attack/release and soft/hard Knee
  • 3-Band EQ with parametric mid and semi-parametric, shelving/peak low and high bands
  • Instrument, line, and mic inputs
  • 1U 19” rack-mountable, rugged steel chassis


The studio channel is great for studio and live use. Its class A preamp features a high-output 12AX7 tube and gain and tube drive controls. The full-featured, vca-based compressor includes auto attack/release. The EQ can be pre- or post-compressor and has a fully parametric mid band and semi-parametric high and low bands that can be shelving or peak.


peederj
August 29, 2025
This is beginner priced and spec’d unit that does hiss a bit much but when dialed perfectly can provide a rich *modern* tube tone, with a VCA compressor and simple EQ in line. This is not a vintage tube tone, it’s very rich and polished and not so warm and mid forward like vintage units. It sounds kinda like it looks.BUT the hard part is dialing in the tone properly. Every little detente on every knob matters. It took all my decades of pro engineering skill to coax a nice sound out of this. In that way, it reminds me of the high end Millenia Origin channel strip that was so touchy everywhere. Of course it’s ridiculous to mention those in the same breath but whatever. Not sure if Fred designed this unit too (he did the ADL for them).Anyway there is a good tone at the end of this rainbow, but the output isn’t very loud (perhaps they are worried about beginners clipping their ADCs) and there is a few dB more noise. Not an uneven noise thankfully.I just needed an extra analog channel and picked this up from Amazon Warehouse less than half price because it needed repair which took me five seconds. You can try different tubes in there too if you want.
Casey
August 14, 2025
I use the RODE NT1-A Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone and a TASCAM US-144 Interface for this bad boy, and I must say the sound quality is heavenly. This was my first time buying a preamp, and I think it's definitely worth the price! It was a little difficult hooking everything up, but once you sit down and think about it, it's quite easy! I don't think I'll be buying a new preamp any time in the next 10 years, because I am completely satisfied with the results I'm getting.My favorite part about this preamp is definitely the warm sound it adds to my recordings plus the EQ. The compressor is great, too, though I don't add too much since I usually just add compression via my DAW.DO NOT HESITATE BUYING THIS ITEM, FOLKS!
TheDaveL
August 12, 2025
This is a fantastic deal for an inexpensive home studio, really. No, it isn't going to compete with a Manley Core, and it is certainly helped by putting a better tube into it, but everything works. I did put a JJ ECC81 (12AT7) into it (wasn't about to go NOS for the price of this), and it does add a bit of 'warmth' to recordings and allow for more drive of the 'tube preamp' section with a little more head room without distortion (at the price of volume reduction, of course). It also really did sound better than the stock 12AX7 in it. Again, it isn't mindblowing, but for the price... The compressor and EQ sections do their utilitarian job. You can bypass either if you want... It isn't the quietest thing I've ever used, but that is to be expected at this level.
Customer
August 7, 2025
I ordered this unit based on the reviews and my previous experience with PreSonus. The device I received has an unacceptable amount of noise (likely a defect). I'd love to return it - but - its past the return date. After being on eternal hold with tech support I resorted to email. The email came back and now they want me to submit a ticket through their website. Done - well, maybe not. Apparently there's no button to submit the claim ticket. Really?!? I don't have three different browsers on my Mac to test compatibility. Probably an issue with the new version of Safari. Jeez...not my day and definitely NOT the PreSonus I remember from years past. Just rip off the BAND-AID and call AEA.
James A
June 25, 2025
The vacuum tube preamp gets pretty noisy at higher gain settings, but at lower settings it sounds great.It's capable of running a dynamic microphone like an sm57 or sm7b, but just barely.The preamp is just too noisy for a dynamic microphone to be usable in a professional recording.For a hobbyist recording though, it's still usable.The power switch is on the back of the device and it's also on the cable that's used to power it.This isn't an issue normally, but if this were in a rack and you didn't want to burn out your tube, it'd be difficult to turn it off.Compressor works great and there's no audible distortion / clipping with sound sources that have a wide dynamic range.EQ does make a difference, but it's difficult to get a usable sound out of it.The frequency boosts are hard to notice.
Memphis Music Man
June 11, 2025
This is my first mic preamp. I did as much research as possible before purchasing but the price seemed right for a vacuum tube mic preamp with a compressor and EQ. I was astounded at how much this improved my vocals both with the studio and live sound. I use Pre-Sonus Studio One Professional and this was a big improvement in the vocals. I’m still a novice at recording but I believe if you get your sound right before it goes into the DAW it is much easier to get that polished sound when mastering with effects.
Jakub Arleth
May 7, 2025
Just ideal compresor for artist who are all over the place with voice
No name
April 17, 2025
Shipping on timeBrand new I the box from factory
Adrián
April 3, 2025
Muy bueno , da un sonido bastante Gordo y poderoso , 7 mil por un pre amp de esta calidad no es muy común encontrarY si estás intentando dar un salto de calidad en tu sonido lo recomiendo
Stella Wembley
March 21, 2025
I am very thrilled to have received this product, after the bitter disappointment of the DBX. There is no comparison. The price you pay corresponds to the quality. Presonus is an American brand, recently acquired by Fender. So it's no joke. In the package there is a manual, a guide for musicians about the production of records and marketing (I really appreciate !) and the power cord with a small transformer, which has a handy switcher like the one of the bedroom lamps.As I said the build quality of the material used is high, the color is a nice matte blue, it has a fan for the reaction above, which is very useful to avoid overheating. Rack or desk placement. It's not bulky: I have a very narrow desk and it fits beautifully.Furthemore, the knobs are elegant but very solid, and turn easily. We find: instrument input on the front, TRS output and microphone input on the back. The switch off button is on the back too, but it is not a problem for me, as there is the switcher on the power cable which is very handy.The effects are, as advertised, compressor, saturation, equalizer, phase inversion and there is a knob for output gain and preamp gain. Since there is also a guide with standard parameters for EQ and compression in the manual, it is easy to play even for a novice.Tried with a Yamaha AG06 audio interface/mixer, quite old and cheap. The difference in terms of sound, and gain, is huge. Never heard my voice like this before, maybe just once in the record studio (but they charge.. )Finally, I have not encountered any kind of problem or imperfection. More importantly, the unit is completely, but I mean completely silent! For those looking for a faithful and clean sound, but which can also be manipulated towards a warmer and more full-bodied sound, and have professional studio quality at an affordable price. Highly recommended.
Doug
January 26, 2025
My recordings and live sound are so much better, it's hard to believe.I use it for live/recorded voice and recorded mic'd acoustic guitar.The instructions include example settings to get great results right away.
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