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A-Designs
Audio EM-Blue Description
The EM-Blue is equipped with a
“Nickel” custom wound output transformer. This translates into “Highs” which
will produce a much more airy top-end-ish tone.
Used with a “dark” sounding
microphone or a alto vocalist it can produce a “heavenly” sound. You will also
find this pre useful for recording a snare drum for a “crisp crack” sound. And
if you use the DI Feature you just might want to hear what an electric guitar
sounds like going thru the nickel transformers.
As with all the 500 Series
Pres A Designs Audio produces, there is a -20dB PAD Switch. So, to get down and
dirty with an electric guitar you will want to pad your input and crank the
gain for a slight growl.
A-Designs
Audio EM-Blue Specifications
1.
-20dB Pad
2.
Phase
3.
48v Phantom
4.
Cast aluminum knob
5.
Thumb Screws (for easy install and un-install)
6.
Solid construction
7.
Custom Wound Transformers (input and output)
8.
Original Design (no CLONES)
9.
Red LED indicator for Phantom power
When
developing our product(s) A Designs Audio feels the need to place units into
the hands of both the professional and the average end user. In doing so, we
have learned from their experiences and they have passed valuable information
on to us. This helps us to produce a product with pride of craftsmanship and
knowing we helped, in some way, to continue to inspire the art of creating and
recording. So, no matter what your needs are for recording the perfect sound, A
Designs Audio can help you by providing a solid tool to contribute to the job.
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A Designs EM Series Preamp Reviews /
See
All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page
Based on the
Pacifica’s design (very Quad
Eight / Electrodyne-ish) these transformer in and out preamps have subtle
character and a nice depth and tone to them that is useful on really anything.
The differences between them aren’t night and day, but it’s very nice to be
able to reach for a more specific sound if you are into preamp collections and
reaching for different ones depending on the source and context. The input
transformers are before the DI input as well, for more character. All of the
units are 500 series compatible and of course require the 500HR power supply or
other (API Lunchbox, etc).
P1: Closest in sound to the
Pacifica, the output transformer is the only real difference (due to size, the
Pacifica transformer could not
fit in this box). The
Pacifica sounds a touch bigger by comparison, the P1 essentially fills the same
bill beyond that. Tight bottom end response, smooth midrange that stays up
front nicely, and upper mids that bring more presence and definition in the
mix, and a natural but detailed top. Depth and dimension are there as well.
EM BLUE: My favorite of the A
Designs 500 series, the EM BLUE delivers sparkle and a ‘forgiving’ sound on
everything. The BLUE delivers a similar tight bottom end response, and the mids
/ low-mids are gentle pulled back for a very clean sound that isn’t overly
“scooped”, the top end brings a gentle air to things that always stays smooth
but present. I just found it to give an enriched presentation of more things.
EM RED: Funny enough, I like to call
the RED the “U47” of preamps. At least it sort of delivers what you expect in a
U47 variation: big low end, forward low-mid and midrange info, and a darker top
with a touch of electricity to it. Talk about punch, it’s accented right in the
gut range and has a big, slightly rounded sound overall.
EM SILVER: This module has one of
the more specific sounds to it, a definite curve to its response. The low end
is big, deep and round, the low-mids are scooped back out of the way, the upper
mids come back in a present sort of way, then the top end gentle drops off a
bit again in a natural way. One of the few preamps I would say is sort of made
for kick drum use.
EM GOLD: There is something mellow
going on here with this transformer combination. The mids are extremely easy on
the ears, transients are dealt with in a rounded way, and the bottom end is
more of a creamy response rather than boomy or aggressive. For more vibe the
GOLD gets my vote.
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