BAE 1073MPF Single-Channel Mic Preamp with PSU
Best professional preamp for capturing classic, high fidelity audio.
This single-channel preamp delivers the sought-after sound of a legendary equalizer, meticulously recreated with a hand-wired Class A design and authentic Carnhill transformers. It excels at imparting rich analog character, depth, and warmth to vocals, instruments, and even mix buses. Enhanced versatility comes from an inductor-based high-pass filter, a dedicated instrument DI input, and selectable input impedance. This unit is perfect for adding that classic, sought-after tonal signature to any audio source, making it an indispensable tool for achieving professional-sounding recordings.
$1500.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
2
/ 565
#2 in Microphone Preamps
Price vs Category Average
-8%
Below average
Channels
Single-Channel
/ Single-Channel
Who it's for
- Audio engineers seeking legendary vintage tone for their recordings
- Professional studios and engineers needing durable, long-lasting equipment
- Recording artists and producers wanting a versatile preamp for diverse instruments
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious musicians and small home studio owners
- Producers needing multiple channels for tracking full bands or stereo sources
- Engineers desiring comprehensive tone shaping directly from their preamp
Performance breakdown
Sonic Character
Delivers the authentic, thick harmonic saturation of the legendary 1073 circuit.
Build Integrity
Hand-wired construction ensures professional-grade durability for years of studio use.
Filter Versatility
Inductor-based high-pass filter provides surgical control over low-end rumble.
Signal Flexibility
Rear line input and front DI make this a versatile studio workhorse.
Impedance Matching
Selectable impedance options allow for precise pairing with various microphone types.
Ease of Integration
Standard rack-mount design fits seamlessly into any professional or home studio.
Key Specs
Channels
Single-Channel
Chassis
19-inch Rack-Mount
Rack Spaces
1U
Direct Input
Yes
High Pass Filter
Yes (50 Hz, 80 Hz, 160 Hz, 300 Hz)
Input Impedance
1200 or 300 ohms
Phantom Power
Yes (48V)
Phase Reverse
Yes
Know before you buy
The primary difference is the inclusion of an inductor-based high-pass filter on the 1073MPF. This allows you to roll off unwanted low-end frequencies at 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, or 300Hz directly at the preamp stage.
Yes. The unit features a dedicated line-level input on the rear panel, making it an excellent tool for running tracks or even your entire mix bus through the Carnhill transformers to add analog warmth and saturation.
The 1200-ohm setting provides a standard, transparent response for most modern microphones, while the 300-ohm setting changes the loading on the microphone. This lower impedance can alter the frequency response and transient behavior, often resulting in a more colored, vintage character.
Yes, the BAE 1073MPF includes a regulated linear power supply. This external unit helps keep noise and interference away from the sensitive audio circuitry inside the rack-mount chassis.
Yes, the front-panel DI input is designed to handle both active and passive instruments. It routes the signal through the same high-quality transformer circuitry as the microphone input, providing that signature 1073 harmonic depth to guitars, basses, and synthesizers.
No, this is an all-analog unit. You will need to connect the output of the preamp to an analog input on your audio interface to record the signal into your DAW.
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