RPQ2
Best clean gain and EQ for professional ribbon microphone users.
This dual-channel microphone preamplifier delivers exceptional clarity and high-gain performance, especially beneficial for ribbon microphones. It provides up to 81 dB of clean JFET gain and features a signature input impedance to preserve your microphone's true sound. The integrated EQ allows for precise tonal adjustments with tunable low and high-frequency controls. With front-panel direct inputs for instruments and flexible routing options including insert points, this unit is an indispensable tool for professional recording environments.
$1098.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
48
/ 566
#48 in Microphone Preamps
Price vs Category Average
-32%
Below average
Channels
2
Who it's for
- Audio engineers and producers using passive ribbon microphones
- Recording artists and engineers seeking immediate sound sculpting
- Professionals demanding transparent, high-fidelity audio capture
Who should skip it
- Studio owners needing a versatile preamp for all microphone types
- Budget-conscious home studio users or hobbyists
- Engineers desiring broad, flexible tonal shaping options
Performance breakdown
Ribbon Mic Performance
The high-gain JFET circuitry extracts every detail from delicate ribbon transducers.
Signal Transparency
NoLoad impedance ensures your microphone's natural character remains completely uncolored.
Tone Shaping
CurveShaper EQ provides surgical control for balancing complex frequency responses.
Gain Headroom
81 dB of clean gain handles even the quietest sources with ease.
Routing Versatility
Insert points and dual-channel design offer professional flexibility for complex setups.
Build Quality
Rugged rackmount construction built to withstand years of heavy studio use.
Key Specs
Channels
2
Max Gain
81 dB
Input Impedance
63k Ohms
Frequency Response
Below 1 Hz to beyond 200 kHz
Circuit Type
JFET
Phantom Power
Yes
EQ
CurveShaper™ (HF & LF)
DI Inputs
Front-panel 1/4"
Know before you buy
Ribbon microphones are sensitive to the impedance of the preamp they are plugged into. The RPQ2’s high 63k Ohm input impedance prevents the preamp from 'loading down' the microphone, which preserves the mic's natural transient response and high-frequency detail.
While it is optimized for ribbon mics, the RPQ2 is an excellent choice for any microphone type. Its clean, high-gain JFET circuitry provides a pristine signal path that works exceptionally well with condenser and moving coil microphones.
The CurveShaper EQ is specifically designed to manage the proximity effect common in ribbon microphones. It allows you to tame low-end buildup or add presence to the high end without the phase shift or harshness often found in standard corrective EQs.
Yes, the RPQ2 offers 81dB of gain, which is plenty to cleanly amplify even the quietest sound sources using low-output ribbon microphones without introducing significant noise.
Yes, the RPQ2 features high-impedance DI inputs on the front panel. These are designed to accept instrument-level signals, allowing you to record guitars, basses, or synths directly through the preamp's high-quality signal path.
The insert points allow you to integrate external hardware, such as compressors or additional EQ, directly into the signal path after the preamp stage but before the output. This provides greater flexibility for your recording chain without needing a separate patch bay.
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