Warm Audio TB12 Tone Beast Preamp in Black

Testimonials:

"After spending some considerable amount of time using the Tone Beast, EQP-WA, WA-2A and WA-76, I can say without hesitation that these products are simply incredible. The amount of cream and mojo that I get from these units, especially when pushed, is giving me the analog tone shaping I need to print a signal that needs no plug-in." Erik Eldenius Drummer - Billy Idol

Description:

The Warm Audio TB12 Tone Beast offers pro-level quality and control, without the premium price tag. With its high-quality components, the Tone Beast can capture a wide range of sources with clarity and, using the controls, you can tweak just how the pre-amp colours the tone. You can achieve, clear, transparent sound or you can go for vintage tone with warm harmonic distortion - the Tone Beast puts it in your control.

The Tone Beast features your basic Gain and Saturation controls. Use the Gain control to influence the level of your signal output, from the +29 dB through to +65 dB amplification. Add in the Saturation control to get that classic warm harmonic distortion and compression you can hear on classic recordings through to even aggressive distorted sounds.

The Tone Section allows you to swap the components in the Tone Beast which in turn colours your tone. The Output Transformer switch allows you to swap between a nickel and steel CineMag USA transformer. Nickel offering that warmer, more vintage-style tone, and steel providing the more modern, transparent tone. You can also bypass these transformers entirely for an even cleaner tone (with a -8 dB drop). Both the op-amps and capacitors can also be swapped in a similar way, with the option of Vintage and Clean sounds. These controls provide a wealth of options for subtly tweaking your tone and become more noticeable when you turn up the saturation. Additionally, there's a +6 dB boost switch for when your signal needs a little extra power when recording with certain mics.

Specifications

• 71 dB of gain
• Transformer selection provides both steel and 50% nickel CineMag output transformers for varying character
• Transformer bypass switch allows for removal of the output transformer from the circuit
• Discrete opamp selection allows for choosing between a 1731 (vintage) and 918 (cleaner) style opamp. These are socketed/swappable with your choice of 2520 6 pin footprint opamps
• Impedance switch labeled tone to switch between 150 and 600 ohms input impedance
• 2 meg ohm true hi-z input on front panel sends instrument signal through entire circuit including both CineMag transformers and the discrete opamps. Great for guitars, bass, keyboards and other instruments that have a 1/4" output jack
• 80 Hz hi pass filter
• Polarity reverse
• Utilizes premium grade CineMag USA transformers
• +48 V phantom power
• Output attenuation allows for saturation flexibility of both opamps and transformers
• ¼" insert for the use of inline compressors, EQ's etc
• Balanced XLR mic (front and back), balanced TRS Line, and ¼" unbalanced instrument inputs
• Balanced XLR and TRS outputs
• -20 dB pad
• LED VU Meter
• 19" rackmountable
• Switchable 115/230 volt IEC power inlet.
• Capacitor selection between tantalum and electrolytic for different characters