Modern response, vintage-inspired sound, killer results

If you're relying on your audio interface's built-in microphone, you're fooling yourself. Even if you have a high-end mic cabinet, you'll never get pro-level sound with sterile, gain-hungry preamps. That's where the Black Lion Audio Auteur MkIII comes in. This 2-channel mic preamp is top-notch, featuring a transparent, modern IC-based front end and character-infused transformer-based output stage. The result is lightning-fast response with a vintage-inspired sound that's sure to inject your recordings with an attention-grabbing, attention-demanding quality. The Auteur MkIII includes all the features you'd expect from a professional mic preamp: line and hi-Z inputs, balanced line outputs, a -10dB pad, 48V phantom power, and polarity inversion. And with 62dB of gain on tap, the Auteur MkIII is prepared to handle all but the most gain-hungry microphones. You can't get studio-grade sound without a solid analog front end, and the Black Lion Audio Auteur MkIII really delivers.

Intelligent design with cutting-edge components

The Auteur MkIII has a smart design and top-of-the-line components. When a signal reaches this microphone preamp's modern IC-based front end, which produces fast response and transparent sound, you get exactly what you need to capture every nuance and detail of your source. The Auteur MkIII's vintage-inspired output stage includes a high-quality CineMag transformer for massive, colorful sound. Each channel includes a line-level input for infusing keyboards, synths, and even full mixes with weight and warmth, plus a hi-Z input for DI'ing your electric guitars and basses. Here we are impressed with the durability of the Auteur MkIII's tour-worthy chassis and think the included removable rack lugs and 1U rack compatibility are a convenient addition. This preamp is also extremely portable!

Black Lion Audio: the mod squad

Founded in Chicago in 2006, Black Lion Audio has made its mark on the audio industry by hot rodding audio equipment and upgrading the sound quality of popular music production equipment, elevating industry standard products to new levels of sonic quality. Although they began modifying equipment from other manufacturers, they utilized their cumulative experience to design their own line of microphone preamps and word clocks. BLA gear and modified gear can be found in studios from Los Angeles to New York and Nashville and heard on projects by artists including Maroon 5, Alison Krauss, Metallica, T-Pain, George Strait, MGMT, Beyoncé, George Duke, Slayer, Erykah Badu, Rod Stewart and more.

Characteristics

• The modern IC-based front end produces transparent sound and ultra-fast response;
• The character-infused output stage includes a high-quality CineMag transformer;
• Line and hi-Z inputs accommodate line-level and high-impedance sources;
• Balanced line outputs integrate seamlessly with the rest of your studio;
• -10dB pad tames extra loud sources;
• 48V phantom power for your condenser microphones;
• Polarity reversal eliminates phase problems;
• 62dB of gain — ready to handle all but the most gain-intensive microphones;
• Tour-worthy chassis; includes removable rack ears with 1U 1/2 rack compatibility.

Specifications

• Preamplifier type: solid state;
• Number of channels: 2;
• Phantom power: yes;
• Pads: -10dB;
• Polarity switch: yes;
• Analog inputs: 2 x XLR, 2 x 1/4 in;
• Analog outputs: 2 x 1/4 inch TRS;
• Frequency response: 10Hz–30kHz;
• Power source: 24V AC power supply (included).