New Mic Preamp from Black Lion Audio

[Jungle Jazz]

Nobody has one?

[aleatoric]

Anymore reviews?

[emkay]

Originally Posted by Heartfelt

you two care to offer any credentials?

Credentials?
How about their personal taste and perception?

[Heartfelt]

Originally Posted by emkay

Credentials?
How about their personal taste and perception?

Certainly no shortage of that here at GS

[Jungle Jazz]

It looks like there's some new audio samples on the Black Lion website.

[emkay]

Originally Posted by Heartfelt

Certainly no shortage of that here at GS

...?

[Heartfelt]

Originally Posted by emkay

...?

Point was that we are ALL qualified by those standards. People whos very first post is to bash someones gear should be suspect.
Peace

[rhymedawg]

Hey Y'all:

I do own a Black Lion Auteur, Got it two weeks ago and have been using it for what I do which is make two track worktapes of songs I write. I was attracted to the box due to its small footprint, price, and promise of a better, bigger sound then other "portable"-type preamps (which all mainly fall into the "consumer" range of recording equipment).

I believe the unit delivers on all of what I was looking for. Now, I am not a gearslut and not a trained recording engineer. I am just a self-taught guy but I have recorded myself through a wide range of pres from Focusrite Platimum to the ISA series, to Avalon 737, UA 610, 110, etc. and I can hear the difference in all of these. I believe the BLA leans more towards the quality of the higher end units I have used then the lower end. It's not quite as "big" and fat sounding as my UA 110, but for someone like me that wants near-pro level quality, I don't think you can go wrong with this unit--and especialy at this unbelievable price for TWO channels.

I plug my Sennheiser e914 into one channel and go straight into the other with my '70 Martin D-28/Baggs ribbon system. The vocal track gets a Summit Audio TLA-50 before going into my M-audio 410 then to Pro Tools on Mac. I can lug all of this gear around in a back pack and make pretty solid worktapes at writing appointments in Nashville.

I am still figuring out the BLA, but I think it's got enough head room that if you are a little careful, outboard compression is not mandatory (but it is nice to have!!).

I'll leave it to gearheads here to argue whether it's good enough for the studio or better than a, b, or c's pre's, but if you do what I do, I don't know what other unit even compares at this price point.

Thought I'd add some links to my sites:
SoundClick artist: Bud Tower - page with MP3 music downloads
MySpace.com - Bud Tower Songs - NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Country / Pop / Rock - www.myspace.com/budtower
New Orleans Songwriters Festival/Songfest » home
Best Rhyming Dictionary - WikiRhymer » home

[Heartfelt]

I think it is more than impressive, especially with being stereo.

[Rednose]

I'd be interested in checking one out, there in Chicago right?
I'm not crazy about the small footprint unless this thing can racked.
I've got too much stuff floating around here.
Good luck BLA!
Matt

[superiorsound]

OKAY HERE WE GOOO!! Just got mine and I must say this piece is worth every penny. Listen I have it side by side with 2 avalon 737sp's, 2 adl 600s, 2 chameleon labs, and 4 api 512c's this thing is not just good its very very gooddddd! I was lucky enough to buy it before the prices went up.

They actually sent it out and recalled it due to a design flaw. I then was ready to cancel becuase i needed the pres by friday as I have a big session set up where people flying in from LA and needed it. I called them up they next dayed me the unit. I got and hands down it will kick the shi* out of most pres in the 1200-1500 range. Very clean and what you give it is what you get. It actually kicks the shit out of the chameleon labs stuff which i love. I tested on vocals using a u87 and AKG c414 both responded well but the U87 seems to shine using this pre. All I can say is I love the pres and I could def use a couple more so it looks like im gonna order another lol If anyone has any questions or wants to hear samples let me know. I also have the signature mode and man what they are doing is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!

Frank

[aleatoric]

Would you say it leans more toward the clean side of things or colored? If colored in what way?

Based on the glowing reviews it might be time for me to upgrade my M-Audio DMP3.

[superiorsound]

Originally Posted by aleatoric

Would you say it leans more toward the clean side of things or colored? If colored in what way?

Based on the glowing reviews it might be time for me to upgrade my M-Audio DMP3.

Put it this way you get a thick clean sound what you give is what you get very vintage sound put it this way I really think its better than my chameleon Labs 7602 which are great! for 450 or whatever its worth every penny. Its up there with my api stuff and my avalon stuff no problem. The mids seem very smooth and easy on your ears yet the lows pack a solid punch! Great pre I just ordered a second! lol And you get two!

[mattkw80]

Damn... now I want one.

I wonder how they compare to the Daking pre's.

(I've been saving for them - but would rather not spend $2000+)

[Heartfelt]

I have had both. While I was very impressed with the BLA, I wanted something a bit less "big" and more natural and I got the Daking.

The BLA adds anice edge and a big bottom compared to the Daking. The Daking is a bit more mid-ish with a nice edge. I did not stack the BLA but the Daking stacks well.

[superiorsound]

Originally Posted by Heartfelt

I have had both. While I was very impressed with the BLA, I wanted something a bit less "big" and more natural and I got the Daking.

The BLA adds anice edge and a big bottom compared to the Daking. The Daking is a bit more mid-ish with a nice edge. I did not stack the BLA but the Daking stacks well.

Valid point I think the BLA is a must have for the price. Its a thick warm sound. I did some vocals using a u87 and I must say I was very very impressed how clean think and detailed it was. The Midrange is very smooth on the BLA for under 500.00 a must have you can get the GD m101 one channel for 600.00 and its not as good. I say get both but start iwth the BLA auteur!

[Isle of Weight]

Alright we just got ours, let the fun begin.
I have a ton of recording to do next month,
it WILL get put through it's paces!!!


I'll report more later,
AA

[Raincrow]

I am really interested in these.

Right now, I have a Blue Robbie and a collection of crappy mics.
I am thinking about selling a single channel Robbie (which does perform quite nicely) for this 2 channel pre. That should leave me enough money to get a microphone upgrade as well.....

Depending how much money I made, I would get either a Kel Audio HM-7U or Avantone CV-12.....

Any thoughts on comparing the setups?

[elisasound]

Originally Posted by Raincrow

I am really interested in these.

Right now, I have a Blue Robbie and a collection of crappy mics.
I am thinking about selling a single channel Robbie (which does perform quite nicely) for this 2 channel pre. That should leave me enough money to get a microphone upgrade as well.....

Depending how much money I made, I would get either a Kel Audio HM-7U or Avantone CV-12.....

Any thoughts on comparing the setups?

Yup, dump the Robbie and get the Auteur (yes, I own one). You'd be picking up a channel on a very nice pre. The Auteur has a big solid low-end and a clear high end. A nice additional color in the preamp arsenal.

I think I'd be more inclined to get the Avantone CV-12. A very nice microphone, regardless of the price. I think the combination of the two should yield very good results on lots of sources.

[burster1]

Did a shoot out with a Black Lion Auteur FMR RNP, Bellari RP220 and stock 002 using a Rode NT-2000.

#1-Auteur - Nice growling lows, clear mids and open highs
#2-RP220 - Lows not as big but, the mids and highs were nice
#3-RNP - Thinner lows and duller/darker sounding. Not
good for a $500 MP.
#4-002 - Worse sounding than the RNP

[AdamJay]

can these things be mounted onto a utility rack tray ? a'la RNC/RNLA ? it looks more 1/3rd rack than 1/2 rack... anyone?

[fredlesk]

I just ordered one so I should be getting it at the end of this month. I will let you guys know what I think about it. Also getting my 003 signature mod done by them next month. Hope it goes well.

[WKG]

Originally Posted by AdamJay

can these things be mounted onto a utility rack tray ? a'la RNC/RNLA ? it looks more 1/3rd rack than 1/2 rack... anyone?

I mounted mine onto a rack tray with two MS1b's. I popped the little rubber feet off and got some heavy duty two sided mounting tape. Works great and stays put.

It's a little higher than a rack space but that's no big deal.

[AdamJay]

Originally Posted by WKG

I mounted mine onto a rack tray with two MS1b's. I popped the little rubber feet off and got some heavy duty two sided mounting tape. Works great and stays put.

It's a little higher than a rack space but that's no big deal.

Attachment 106192

cheers for the response, and the pic!

I wonder if any Metric Halo users have used the Auteur. I'm specifically curious in how it compares to the ULN-2. Especially in terms of noise specs. For Metric Halo 2882 owners, it could be a cheaper route to a pair of 'low noise @ high gain' preamps.

[WKG]

Looks like they've got the Auteurs back in stock.

If anybody is looking for one they probably won't last long...

[AMMusic]

I know this is a matter of personal oppinion, but does anyone (that owns any or all of the products) think it would be worth it to sell my Avalon 737 to get the signature mod on my 003r and get an Auteur? I like the Avalon but only use it as a pre, no eq or compressor. Will I be happy with the Auteur instead?

AM

[Heartfelt]

From what I have heard about Avalon's clean sound, they are 2 different beasts. The Auteur has a big bottom.

[Piedpiper]

I've heard a few descriptions make me wonder whether the highs are smooth, as in cleanly, delicately transparent. Thoughts? I don't like aggressive highs.

[Heartfelt]

Take a listen:

Black Lion Audio Auteur Mic Preamp

[Piedpiper]

To the extent that the cllips show it off, I could make a case for preferring the Auteur in every case. On closer inspection, in my own hands, who knows, but certainly worth the gamble. In fact, for the price, not much of a gamble. I'm about to get in line for a 002 signature mod and will likely add this to the pile.