Heritage Audio
Heritage Audio Lang Electronics 312L 500-Series Preamp
Best premium sound for discerning audio engineers.
The Heritage Audio Lang Electronics 312L 500-Series Preamp brings the coveted energy and excitement of New York-style preamps to your studio at an accessible price point. Boasting up to 90 dB of gain, this module is exceptionally well-suited for demanding microphones like ribbons and vintage units, ensuring peak performance without external boosters. Its custom HA-880 op-amp and transformer-balanced inputs and outputs, featuring CineMag and LANG transformers, deliver a thick, professional signal ideal for broadcasting and recording. The 312L offers a fast response and an ultra-low noise floor, revealing subtle dynamics in your audio.
$349.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
317
/ 565
#317 in Microphone Preamps
Price vs Category Average
-79%
Below average
Gain Range
1590
/ + dB to + dB
Who it's for
- Audio engineers seeking classic American console sound
- Studio owners expanding their 500-series collection
- Professionals demanding durable, high-performance studio equipment
Who should skip it
- Newcomers to 500-series gear without an existing rack
- Engineers needing a neutral preamp for diverse recording tasks
- Budget-conscious producers or home studio enthusiasts
Performance breakdown
Gain headroom
Ninety decibels of gain handles even the quietest ribbon microphones with ease.
Sonic character
Custom transformers deliver that thick, punchy New York studio sound.
Noise floor
Ultra-low noise performance ensures your recordings remain pristine and detailed.
Transient response
Fast, snappy response makes this an ideal choice for tracking drums.
Versatility
Front-panel DI and switchable pad make it useful for any source.
Build quality
Robust 500-series construction feels ready for years of heavy studio use.
Key Specs
Gain Range
+15 dB to +90 dB
Built-in Lifter
+25 dB
EIN
-130 dBu
Input Transformer
Custom 2622 LANG
Output Transformer
CineMag
Phantom Power
Switchable 48V
Pad
-20 dB
Phase Reverse
Switchable
Features
- High-gain NY-style preamp for drums and guitars
- Accommodates hungry mics like ribbons and vintage units
- Ultra-low noise floor for detailed dynamics
- Custom transformers for thick, professional sound
- Switchable phantom power, pad, and phase
- Front-panel instrument DI
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional sound quality, often noting its authentic vintage character and robust build. Users appreciate its ability to deliver a rich, full bodied tone, making it a standout choice for capturing instruments and vocals with clarity and warmth. The preamp is frequently highlighted for its premium components and reliable performance, solidifying its reputation as a top tier option in its category. Its consistent sonic excellence and durable construction are key themes.
Know before you buy
Yes, it is an excellent choice for ribbon and vintage microphones. With up to 90 dB of total gain and a built-in 25 dB lifter, it provides plenty of clean headroom for even the most gain-hungry passive mics.
The 312L delivers a classic New York-style sound characterized by a thick, punchy, and fast response. The combination of custom LANG and CineMag transformers adds a professional weight and harmonic richness to your signal.
The 312L is a standard 500-series module designed to fit into any compatible 500-series rack or lunchbox. It draws its power directly from the rack's backplane.
Yes, the 312L features a front-panel Hi-Z instrument DI input. This allows you to plug your guitar or bass directly into the preamp, bypassing the need for an external DI box.
The 312L is designed with an ultra-low noise floor of -130 dBu. This ensures that even when you are pushing the gain to its maximum levels for quiet sources, the signal remains clean and free of unwanted hiss.
Yes, the module includes a switchable -20 dB pad. This is particularly useful when recording loud sources like drums or high-output electric guitars to prevent clipping the input stage.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.