Preamps on my block

Recent introduction by Max Neutra with Victor at Warner Brother had turn a small gig line up for film sound track in my path. I went on a hunt for mic preamp to fit the recording for sound fx's and music. These are chosen with the help of Chris, Luke, and Peter Atessi of Pacifica...and much protest from Mark Semen of API. Sorry Mark but you got the board I got the preamps.

A Designs Audio is proud to introduce the “PACIFICA”, a single rack space, dual (mono/mono) channel microphone pre amplifier that comes amazingly close to the original in looks and sound. There are few, but valuable improvements, such as a front panel active hi-z ¼ inch input that places the input transformer directly in the signal path for a huge direct sound.
The PACIFICA possesses a uniquely “Made in California” feel, with a significant heft from the huge transformers contained within. The original cream colored panel and red knob scheme was retained and is supplied with an outboard power supply for the lowest possible noise floor. We think the A Designs PACIFICA will achieve an
instant classic status, becoming an important part of “must haves” for years to come.

• Solid State Design
• Custom Input Transformers
• Custom Output Transformers
• Single Rack Space
• Balanced XLR Input
• Balanced XLR Output
• Level Controls
• -20dB Pad Switch
• 48v Switch
• Phase Switch
• Blue LED Power Indicator
• ON/OFF Switch
• Toroid Power Transformer
• 72dB Gain
• Hi Z ¼” Inch Input for Direct Inject.
• Red LED Phantom Indicator
Input Impedance 600 Ohm @ 400Hz
Gain Range 72 dB
Noise (EIN) -128 dB
Mic Phantom Switchable 48 Volt Power Source
Mic Input Phase Switchable 0 -180
Instrument Input Jack 1/4" Phono
Balanced XLR Output
Output: Balanced
Frequency Response 9Hz-101KHz
Distortion Less than 1%
Power Requirements 100/120/230 VAC - 23 Watts
Shadow Hills Industries monster Gamma. 8 hand built mic pre's based around a discrete opamp running at 24 volts. Meticulously made from the best components right here in America. There are no IC-chips or surface mount components anywhere in this design. Each channel has 3 different output transformer modes. Using trasnformers hand wound by old ladies who have been winding transformers for 20 plus years. The perfect hand tensioning, exactly matched wire gage, bobbins and laminations, make these transformers more exactly match the best vintage examples than any of the modern machine wound types.

Switching between each of the different output transformer modes provides the user with 3 distinct tonal characteristics.

The versatility allows the user to select the transformer that best suits the type of recording application. For example, when recording a guitar, you may like the Steel transformer or maybe on an orchestral you may want to go transformerless. The Nickel Transformer sounds very different from the other choices, and is "the sound" of many classic recordings. You will probably find yourself EQ-ing less, instead sculpting your sound by switching to the transformer that suits the Instrument.

Specifications

External custom designed discrete, voltage regulated, low ripple power supply and power transformer. Separate electrical and audio grounding paths making noise extremely low.

phase reverse for mic and DI

18 db pad for mic and DI

isolated 48 volt phantom power

engraved front panel

All steel 14 gage chassis

solid Bake-lite knobs

Magic eye tube power indicator

24 position stepped input option
available on per channel request

LaChapell Audio now offers two variants of the Model 992, each with its own unique input topology:

Standard 992: A transformer-less input design utilizing twin (matched) 400v ASC caps along with two USA made 6072’s per channel. This configuration provides >50dB of gain (usually about 52db) with a typical non-weighted EIN of -114 to -116dB.

Extended Gain 992: Utilizing the Jensen JT-115k input transformer and two ECC803/12AX7 vacuum tubes per channel. This configuration provides >74dB of gain (usually about 76db ...) with a typical non-weighted EIN of -124 to -126dB referencing 150ohm. All other design elements are the same.