Microphone Preamps I’m Interested in as a Guitarist

Hello everyone! I’m Yuki Kito, a guitar instructor based in Nagoya. Over the past year, I've been fortunate enough to set up quite an extensive composition and computer music　environment, which has unfortunately led to a serious shortage of funds. Thanks to that, I’m currently a bit strapped for cash!

I’d like to share some thoughts on microphone preamps this time, although I plan to discuss audio interfaces and speakers in a separate article later. While browsing Sound House and watching various YouTube videos, I came across several microphone preamps that caught my attention, and I’d love to introduce them to you!

Additionally, since this is from a guitarist's perspective, I’d like to focus on preamps that seem easy to use with both acoustic and electric guitars.

1. Universal Audio / 710 Twin-Finity

First up is the 710 Twin-Finity from Universal Audio, a brand that's often considered a standard when it comes to hardware. This preamp is widely recognized for its quality and versatility.

In the musician community, the audio interface "Apollo Twin" is particularly well-known.

What drew me to this product is that it solves the common dilemma for guitarists and bassists: the choice between tube and transistor sound. The 710 Twin-Finity allows you to explore both options in a single microphone preamp.

I’m excited that you can blend solid-state and tube sounds using the central knob. This allows you to add the warm harmonic overtones produced by the tube or the brighter third-order harmonics from the solid-state. It's great to have the option to experiment with both!

Being able to try both options opens up opportunities to experiment with various instruments—vocals, bass, guitar, and more. It allows you to create your own unique settings and recipes, while also broadening your knowledge and understanding of sound. I think it’s a fantastic way to explore different tonal possibilities!

As someone who appreciates the visual aspect of gear, I’d love to have a mounting bracket for half-rack setups in my home! If anyone knows of a good mounting solution, please feel free to let me know discreetly on social media.

2. Great River / ME-1NV

I started checking this microphone preamp because I saw it recommended by engineers on YouTube. Lately, I've been especially interested in the GREAT RIVER ME-1NV.

While rack-mounted options are great, I think this preamp would be a perfect fit for those who want to use it outside the studio and don’t want to sacrifice desk space. It seems to align well with those needs!

As indicated by the model number's suffix, it appears to be a Neve-style preamp. I hadn’t heard of this brand until recently, but given its high ratings on Sound House, I believe it offers performance that exceeds its price.

One important point to note is that this product operates at 110V, so to get the best performance out of it, you'll need to use a step-up transformer. I also have a 110V tube amp, and I've found that having a step-up transformer makes a significant difference. I strongly recommend making sure you have one ready!

3. Warm Audio / WA73-EQ

The third option is the WA73-EQ from Warm Audio, a brand known for its recreations of legendary models like the Universal Audio 1176 and LA-2A. First and foremost, I have to mention the striking visual appeal of this preamp. Just having it mounted in my rack would surely boost my performance by about 10%!

One of the most impressive aspects is its incredible cost performance. While genuine Neve mic preamps with EQ typically cost 200,000 to 300,000 yen or more, you can get this one for just under 100,000 yen. It’s an amazing value!

With the UA Spark subscription, you can access plugins like the 1073 Neve and LA-2A compressor, which has been a great addition to my DTM setup. I often use the 1073 on my computer, especially for kick drums and bass, to enhance the low-end and really boost the sound. It’s a technique I find very effective!

I’d love to experience how it performs with guitar and vocals as well. I have a feeling it would capture acoustic guitar beautifully. From the reviews, it seems that many users have found it effective for vocals too, noting that it brings the sound forward in the mix. It sounds like a great option to explore!

With all four reviews giving it five stars, it’s clear that this product offers excellent cost performance! It definitely seems like a strong choice.

4. dbx / 676 Tube Microphone Preamp/EQ/Compressor

When I think of dbx, I often associate it with affordable compressors and mic preamps. I had that same impression before, too!

However, the 676 is priced a bit higher than what we might typically expect from dbx, coming in at around the 100,000 yen range. This product not only includes a microphone preamp but also comes with built-in EQ and compression features.

Having multiple features can definitely make it easier to refine your sound. Some preamps, like the Great River , are designed to enhance the audio simply by passing through, giving a great impression with a more straightforward approach. On the other hand, dbx offers a more active sound-shaping option, allowing you to sculpt your tone more precisely. It’s interesting to see the variety in designs and how they cater to different preferences!

The demo performances and explanations by the guitarist showcasing this product sound fantastic. If you can spare 2U of rack space, I think this could definitely be a great option to consider!

5. Focusrite / ISA One

With 15 reviews and an impressive rating of 4.0 stars, the ISA One stands out as a quintessential microphone preamp. It’s a fantastic product from FOCUSRITE, a company deeply involved in audio and music production, offering channel strips, mic preamps, and audio interfaces.
Even I, who am not an expert, have heard of "transformers," particularly Carnhill and Lundahl, which are like the Gibson and Fender of electric guitars. The ISA One features the Lundahl LL1538 transformer.
When you buy a mic preamp, it’s hard not to start wanting a compressor or a channel strip as well. It’s similar to how, after getting a guitar, you might think, "Next, I need some effects or an amp." Or is that just me?
In that case, the insert terminal on the ISA One allows you to connect a compressor or other gear, so if your gear cravings kick in, you can expand without worry!

So, this time I shared four microphone preamps that caught my interest! Did you find anything that piqued your curiosity? Since my experience with hardware is still quite limited, I’d love to hear any recommendations for mic preamps that work well with guitars. Feel free to share your thoughts!

Thank you for reading up to this point!

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