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Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began May 28, 2026.

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Description

Discover the sonic richness of the Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp, a standout piece in the world of studio recording gear. Crafted with passion for the 500 Series format, this preamp draws its inspiration from the iconic console pres of the 1970s, blending vintage vibes with modern clarity. Its all-discrete, transformer-coupled design is engineered to elevate your recordings, offering an abundance of gain to breathe life into any microphone. The MA5's signature 28kHz shelving EQ boost infuses recordings with a distinctive sheen, transforming ordinary sounds into polished audio gems. Featuring a Carnhill/St. Ives input transformer and a custom Jensen output transformer, this preamp not only captures the essence of classic recording equipment but also brings it into the contemporary studio with impeccable style and functionality.

Key Features:

  • All-discrete, transformer-coupled design for authentic vintage tone
  • Inspired by classic 1970s console preamps for unmatched warmth and clarity
  • Features a Carnhill/St. Ives input transformer for rich, harmonic content
  • Custom Jensen output transformer ensures pristine, balanced output
  • 28kHz shelving EQ boost adds a unique sheen and polish to recordings
  • Abundant gain to accommodate a wide range of microphones
  • Perfect for the 500 Series format, offering flexibility in your studio setup

Product specs

Brand Avedis Audio Electronics
Model MA5 500 Series Mic Preamp Module
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories 500 Series Modules and Frames, Microphone Preamps

FAQs

What makes the Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp unique?

The Avedis MA5 is known for its classic Neve-inspired sound, offering rich, warm tones with a high level of detail. It's designed for the 500 Series format, making it a flexible choice for modular setups.

Is the Avedis MA5 suitable for vocal recordings?

Yes, the Avedis MA5 is highly regarded for vocal recordings due to its smooth and musical character, providing a polished and professional sound.

Does the Avedis MA5 require a specific power supply?

The Avedis MA5 is a 500 Series module, so it requires a compatible 500 Series rack for power and operation.

Can the Avedis MA5 handle high SPL sources like drums?

Yes, the Avedis MA5 can handle high SPL sources effectively, making it suitable for recording drums and other loud instruments without distortion.

How does the Avedis MA5 compare to other 500 Series preamps?

The Avedis MA5 stands out for its vintage-inspired sound and build quality, often compared favorably to other high-end 500 Series preamps for its tonal warmth and clarity.

Vid Knob (Big Knob)

Vid Knob (Big Knob)

Apogee Duet VS Avedis MA5 VS Heritage Audio 1073/500 Preamps On Guitar

Video thumbnail for Apogee Duet VS Avedis MA5 VS Heritage Audio 1073/500 Preamps On Guitar by Vid Knob (Big Knob)

Apogee Duet VS Avedis MA5 VS Heritage Audio 1073/500 Preamps On Guitar

Vid Knob (Big Knob)

Vid Knob (Big Knob)

Video thumbnail for Avedis MA5 Mic Pre | VintageKing.com by Vintage King

Avedis MA5 Mic Pre | VintageKing.com

Vintage King

Vintage King

Video thumbnail for Vintage Neve 1073 vs Avedis MA5 in ProItems AudioLux 3x500 Lunchbox on Vocal by RustGL

Vintage Neve 1073 vs Avedis MA5 in ProItems AudioLux 3x500 Lunchbox on Vocal

RustGL

RustGL

Video thumbnail for Sound Test Vintage Neve 1073 vs Avedis MA5 2 by RustGL

Sound Test Vintage Neve 1073 vs Avedis MA5 2

RustGL

RustGL

Video thumbnail for Microphone Preamp Shootout  Summit Audio TPA 200B, Avedis MA5, RME by Bang! Drums

Microphone Preamp Shootout Summit Audio TPA 200B, Avedis MA5, RME

Bang! Drums

Bang! Drums

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp.

Comparisons

  • The Avedis MA5 is praised for its warm, open Neve-like sound, contrasting with the punchy API 512, ideal for drums.

    Source
  • While not as clean as the Grace m501, the MA5's honest sound and headroom make it a versatile choice alongside high-fidelity preamps like the Camden 500.

    Source
  • The Avedis MA5 offers tighter low-end focus and more sizzle in the high end compared to the Sound Skulptor 573, making it preferable for vocals.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The MA5 is noted for being smooth, big, and open, making it a versatile choice for various recording applications.

    Source
  • The Avedis MA5 is noted for saturating less in the midrange than in lows and highs, making it versatile for different recording needs.

    Source
  • For gain-hungry mics like the SM7B, the MA5 provides clean recording capabilities, enhancing mic performance with clarity and focus.

    Source
  • While preamps aren't essential, the Avedis MA5 can give vocals distinctive flavor and tonal enhancement, fitting well into diverse recording setups.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners describe the MA5 as having a smooth and big sound, adding a sense of openness to recordings, which is particularly favored by users.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The MA5 has an impressive headroom, remaining clear and hi-fi until saturation, with a 28k switch enhancing its hi-fi characteristics.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Avedis Audio: MA5 500 Series Mic Preamp | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

The Avedis MA5 500 Series Mic Preamp impresses with its ability to blend the classic warmth of '70s British consoles with modern clarity. Its standout feature, the "28k" button, enhances the high end without harshness, making it a versatile choice for various instruments. While it excels in bringing out individual elements in a mix, it might not be ideal for situations where a more blended sound is desired. Overall, the MA5's rich, punchy sound and focused mids and highs make it a top choice for those seeking a high-quality preamp with a vintage touch.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jacob Collier uses Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp

Jacob Collier

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Two Avedis Audio MA5 microphone preamps can be seen at the very top of his rack. One of these is used for his main vocal microphone, with 28k shelf engaged, as discussed in the Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star livestream. If you download the Logic Session from his website or get a particularly good screenshot from a livestream of his, you can see that his 21st Audio Input, entitled "Sing", is his vocal mic. On his Interface, that is the first channel of DANTE inputs, when in 96khz or 192khz. This suggests he uses one of the Grace m108 units at the bottom of the rack for conversion on this channel, not the Focusrite itself.

See how Unknown Mortal Orchestra uses Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Rueben of Unknown Mortal Orchestra uses this preamp in the live show as shown in this interview

See how Jon Foreman uses Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp

Jon Foreman

Singer, Guitarist

Switchfoot

...
Verified via Photo

As can be seen at his official Instagram account (about making some music) you can see him using this item in the picture / video.

See how Courtney LaPlante uses Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp

Courtney LaPlante

Singer

Spiritbox

...
Verified via YouTube

In spiritbox's video called Spiritbox - Circle With Me - Courtney LaPlante live one take performance the Youtube description box has a list of the gear she used and in that list was the Avedis MA5 preamp

See how Bora Karaca uses Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp

Bora Karaca

Singer, Guitarist

Tally Hall

...
Verified via The Laboratory Audio

Bora Karaca lists the Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp on the gear page for his studio, The Laboratory Audio.

See how Stormzy uses Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp

Stormzy

Rapper

...
Verified via PSNEurope

We were influenced by albums like Kanye [West’s] The Life Of Pablo, Frank Ocean’s Blonde and all of Drake’s stuff from a sonic point of view. We were really working on getting a high-end vocal sound, which would be great against the darkness of the drums and the bass and it would allow Stormzy’s vocal to really cut through. The main mic we used was a Brauner VM1 into an Avedis preamp, into an API 550 EQ and a Tube Tech CL1B compressor, so it was a pretty high-end chain. We also used the UTA preamp as well, which has its own EQ on different tracks. Then we would take Stormzy’s vocal and bounce it out through the desk and through another compression stage – we’ve got the UTA Fairchild compressor, which is incredible.

Album Usage

The Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Avedis MA5 Microphone Preamp, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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perfetto

perfetto

Gear IQ 162

perfetto

perfetto

Gear IQ 162

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perfetto

Gear IQ 162

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