Baroni Lab D.I. Recording Tube Amp HW-103 Valve Preamp

The Baroni Lab Recording Tube Amp HW-103 is a compact, pedal-sized D.I. preamp that delivers authentic, ultra-loud Brit pedal platform tones straight into your interface, mixing desk or PA. Powered by a genuine high-voltage valve preamp and packed with clever analogue tools like VARICAB cabinet simulation and a dedicated FX loop, it gives you the feel and response of a cranked amp without needing a loud speaker cabinet.

Designed as part of Baroni Lab’s D.I. Recording Tube Amp range, the HW-103 faithfully mimics the behaviour of its reference classic amplifier, from preamp gain structure to power stage saturation. Plug it directly into an audio interface or console via XLR, or run it into the return of a guitar amp using the preamp output, and enjoy convincing amp tone in virtually any situation.

At the heart of the HW-103 is a full, passive tone stack and a BODY control that shapes the overall saturation and dynamic feel of the amp, not just the amount of gain. Paired with the PREAMP VOLUME and XLR OUT level, you can dial in anything from sparkling cleans to thick, driven crunch while keeping your recording or live levels under control.

For direct recording and silent stages, the fully analogue VARICAB section goes far beyond a simple cabinet EQ curve. It recreates the complex interaction of power amp, depth and presence controls, and cab plus mic variations, giving you a polished, mix-ready sound straight from the pedal. Add in a series FX loop for placing ambience effects after the drive, and a ground lift switch to tame hum in complex rigs, and you have a powerful, flexible hub for modern guitar setups.

Authentic British-Inspired Valve Tone

The HW-103 uses a high-voltage tube preamp to capture the touch sensitivity, harmonic richness and crunchy breakup of classic British amplifiers. Rather than a generic overdrive, it behaves like a real amp front end, responding to your picking dynamics and guitar volume control so you can clean up or dig in just like you would with a traditional head and cab.

BODY and Preamp Volume Controls

The BODY control shapes the overall behaviour of the amplifier circuit, from clean headroom to full power-stage style saturation. Used together with the PREAMP VOLUME, it lets you fine-tune the balance between gain and output level, whether you are feeding the return of a guitar amplifier via the preamp output or running directly from the XLR out. This makes it easy to sculpt your tone precisely for stage or studio.

Analogue VARICAB Cabinet and Power Stage Simulation

Baroni Lab’s 100% analogue VARICAB circuit does far more than emulate a speaker cabinet EQ. Sitting after the preamp, it models the response of the power stage, depth and presence controls, and cab plus mic variations. Set at noon it preserves your core tone stack sound, while turning it clockwise adds bright air and clarity, and turning it anticlockwise adds punch and bottom end, giving you a versatile direct sound without plug-ins.

Flexible Connectivity and Noise Management

With an XLR output for direct connection to audio interfaces, desks or PA systems, and a dedicated preamp output (TS jack) for feeding the return of a guitar amp, the HW-103 slots easily into a wide range of rigs. The built-in ground lift switch helps eliminate ground loop noise when connecting to grounded systems, ensuring a clean signal in complex live or studio setups.

• High-Voltage Tube Preamp - The HW-103 is powered by a genuine high-voltage valve preamp that closely mimics the behaviour of a classic British amplifier. This gives you organic compression, rich harmonics and realistic touch response, ideal for players who want true amp feel in a compact recording solution.
• Analogue VARICAB Circuit - The innovative VARICAB section recreates not only cabinet EQ, but also the influence of the power stage, depth and presence controls, and cab plus mic variations. It lets you fine-tune brightness and low-end punch directly from the pedal, delivering mix-ready tones when using the XLR output.
• Comprehensive Tone Shaping - A full passive tone stack, BODY control and PREAMP VOLUME work together to provide detailed control over gain structure and overall character. You can keep the amp clean, push it into realistic saturation, or balance level and drive perfectly when feeding an amp return or recording interface.
• Practical Studio and Live Features - With an FX loop for placing ambience effects after the preamp, an XLR out for direct connection, a preamp output for amp returns, and a ground lift switch to combat hum, the HW-103 is built to be the central hub of your rig. It offers a tidy, pedalboard-friendly way to achieve consistent tones on stage and in the studio.

General

• Type: D.I. Recording Tube Preamp
• Reference Sound: Crunchy British-style amplifier
• Circuitry: High-voltage tube preamp with 100% analogue VARICAB

Controls and Features

• BODY control for overall amplifier behaviour and saturation
• PREAMP VOLUME for balancing gain and level
• Full passive tone stack
• VARICAB analogue cabinet and power stage simulation
• XLR OUT volume control
• FX Loop (series) for post-preamp effects
• Ground / Lift switch

Connectivity

• Preamp OUTPUT: TS jack (for connection to amp return or similar)
• XLR OUT: Balanced output for audio interfaces, desks or PA
• Power input: 12 V DC, negative tip

Electrical

• Power requirement: 12 V DC, 500 mA (negative tip)
• XLR output impedance: < 20 kOhm
• S/N ratio: < 90 dB

Dimensions and Weight

• Width: 120 mm (4.7")
• Length: 85 mm (3.3")
• Height: 30 mm (1.1")
• Weight: 0.5 kg (1 lb)