BAE Matt Sorum Signature 312B Microphone Preamplifier Announced

[Grahamdwc]

British Audio Engineering (BAE) are proud to announce the new Matt Sorum 312B Microphone Pre-Amplifier Signature Series. The 312B, which is based on the already popular 312A model, carries the same excellent dynamic range, frequency response and noise performance the BAE 312 series is known for, but with a newly introduced and modified gain structure which utilizes a lower gain Jensen input transformer, designed to compliment louder sources before needing to implement the pad.

Due to its high gain structure, the 312A occasionally required the pad to be used frequently with louder sources, such as a hot microphone on drums. BAE thought of an option to add an alternative Jensen transformer to the 312B with equal performance and 7dB lower gain range to assist recordings with a more adequate level for louder sources without losing the unique dynamic characteristics of the 312A. This allows engineers the option of owning the 312A as a pre-amp geared toward higher gain and the 312B for toward lower gain.

The 312B, just like the 312A, features the Avedis® 1122 Discrete Op-Amp and input and output Jensen transformers which use direct-coupled circuitry with no capacitors in the signal path. The input impedance of the 312B is designed to remain consistent, even after the pad is engaged, providing a steady load to the microphone. The characteristics of the 312B offer excellent dynamic range, frequency response, headroom before clipping and noise performance for a punchy sound which works well with many microphones.

The 312B is available as a single 500 Series module and as a fully loaded six space lunchbox. It includes a custom pull-on switch tailored to accentuate higher frequencies, a DI for instruments, a Phase Reverse switch, 48V for phantom power, and a PAD switch.


Link : Matt Sorum 312B Series

[superwack]

Interesting!

I knew Brent Averill Enterprises became BAE but when did that come to stand for "BRITISH AUDIO ENGINEERING"?

[Johnkenn]

Amer-i-cuh!

[superwack]

Originally Posted by Johnkenn

Amer-i-cuh!

Yeah that's why the whole british thing caught me off guard - first time I can remember seeing it used is in literature for an AMERICAN based product

(I also think it's super weird to have "artist" signature recording gear - instruments, of course, but not studio stuff unless the guy is also known for engineering)

[softwareguy]

The whole thing is very strange. I looked at the logo and was ready to get all pissed off on Brent's behalf, thinking that he was being ripped off by some unscrupulous tea-bag, when I went to their site and lo and behold, it's Brent's product.

The British Audio Engineering thing just loses me completely, especially when you're putting out 312 modules.

[Studio Addict]

And it's not like Matt Sorum is known for amazing drum sounds; aren't his bands (GnR, VR) users of drum replacement samples???

[bwrecordings]

Originally Posted by Studio Addict

And it's not like Matt Sorum is known for amazing drum sounds; aren't his bands (GnR, VR) users of drum replacement samples???

That's what I thought. Maybe he'll use his drums when he's not clipping his pres.

[bwrecordings]

The output knob creates a shelving?

[superwack]

I think Mark (who bought BAE from Brent) is technically British but still this is all so very strange.

I always thought the "A" in 312A stood for Avedis to signify that BAE had replaced the api 2520 (they used in their early 312 api re-racks) with Avedis' 1122 opamp so the "B" should confuse people further

Also, did people think 312's need more HF? the shelving thing stumps me too - probably would have been cooler to make it a post pad to really drive them hard.

[jitterybit]

Originally Posted by superwack

Also, did people think 312's need more HF? the shelving thing stumps me too - probably would have been cooler to make it a post pad to really drive them hard.

deaf drummers need more HF

[syntheticrhyme]

Matt dropped by to check out my studio in LA a few years back. He's a really nice guy. For his home setup, he has a stack of Api pre's he uses for his drums.

[Cody]

^^ @jitterybit

I think lots of drummer-turned-engineer types like myself would love to have a 6 pack of these for drums. And from an aesthetic point of view, I like the cream colour!

From what I understand, Matt Sorum has had his name in recording circles for a while now, so I think the crossover makes sense - kick ass drummer who can record music.

[superwack]

Well, I am a drummer/engineer with a rack of api pres (and BAE Gear) and I've worked with Matt (G 'n R) and I love the old cream/white API colored 550a - still don't get signature recording gear (Matt or otherwise) just seems like another cheapening of the profession to lure in unsuspecting Guitar Center types (a la "focusrite" preamps in an MBOX)

No doubt these are amazing - just curious marketing and odd rebranding of BAE

[Axelrod]

um, what output knob? i only see a gain knob.

i LOVE matt sorum and i think he is one of the most badass rock drummers of all time but this ad is horrible. also, im with mr. superwack, pulling the gain knob should engage an output pad to attenuate, not a HF shelf. furthermore, care to elaborate about that HF shelf? how many db? what frequency? why matt, why?

[BodyByStarbucks]

hmmmmmmmmmmm

[cheu78]

[QUOTE=superwack;7461698]I think Mark (who bought BAE from Brent) is technically British but still this is all so very strange.
QUOTE]

Why is strange..?
Besides the 312a (and now also the 312b) their "recreations" or product line is based on a british designs, so I don't find it so strange actually.. quite the opposite, make more sense, even more if you think that Brent Averill is no longer the owner by several years (and Mark is originally from England).

I mean that if they build great quality stuff as they do..they should be free to "change" or better..hmmm ..modify..the name as they want.
I really don't care if the B and A of their name is British Audio or Brent Averill or Bad Apple.. if the gear is great, I'm fine with it.
The quality is not affected by that..so who cares?

I must say that I really like the color of these new modules.. can't wait to discover how they sound, how that boost sounds...

Just my 0.02$,

Bests

Cheu

[Gravity8058]

I'm gonna hold out for the Steven Tyler vocal module (1073 with lips/bandana emblem) or the Brian May EQ (Trident A series module with wooden faceplate hewn from an ancient hearth) :-)

[Silver Sonya]

It would be smart if BAE announced its name change separately from this slightly strange product.

- c

[superwack]

Originally Posted by Silver Sonya

It would be smart if BAE announced its name change separately from this slightly strange product.

- c

That's all I was saying