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Average Price: $325

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Description

Meet the Black Lion Audio B12A, a meticulously crafted preamp that brings the revered sound of classic American rock records into your modern studio setup. Inspired by the legendary 312A, the B12A is designed to deliver the rich, punchy tones that defined an era of music. This single-channel preamp offers a robust and harmonically rich character, perfect for capturing the nuances of vocals, guitars, and drums with clarity and warmth.

The B12A is built with precision and attention to detail, featuring a custom-designed input transformer and a discrete op-amp. These components ensure the preamp delivers a smooth, musical output that is both dynamic and articulate. Whether you're tracking in a professional studio or a home setup, the B12A provides the sonic quality that professionals demand without the hefty price tag.

Designed with versatility in mind, the B12A includes a high-pass filter to manage low-end rumble and a pad switch to handle high-output sources with ease. Its compact and rugged design makes it a reliable choice for both studio and live environments. If you're looking for a preamp that combines vintage tone with modern reliability, the Black Lion Audio B12A is a stellar choice for any recording enthusiast.

Key Features:

  • Discrete op-amp design for a classic, punchy tone
  • Custom-designed input transformer for rich harmonic content
  • High-pass filter to control unwanted low frequencies
  • Pad switch for managing high-output sources
  • Rugged, compact build suitable for studio and live settings

Product specs

Brand Black Lion Audio
Model B12A Preamp
Finish Silver
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories Microphone Preamps

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Black Lion Audio B12A preamp?

The Black Lion Audio B12A preamp is known for delivering a classic API-style sound with a punchy, aggressive midrange and a fast transient response, making it ideal for rock and pop recordings.

Is the Black Lion Audio B12A suitable for both vocals and instruments?

Yes, the B12A is versatile and can be used effectively on both vocals and instruments, providing clarity and presence to a wide range of audio sources.

Does the Black Lion Audio B12A preamp require external power?

The B12A comes with its own power supply, so you won't need any additional external power sources to operate it.

How does the Black Lion Audio B12A compare to other preamps in its class?

The B12A offers a high-quality build and a distinctive API-style sound at a competitive price point, making it a popular choice among those seeking professional-grade audio performance.

Is the Black Lion Audio B12A preamp rack-mountable?

Yes, the B12A is designed to be rack-mounted, fitting easily into standard 19-inch rack systems for convenient integration into your studio setup.

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers brilliant, clear sound on snare drums

  • Preserves and enhances drum transients

  • Provides a unique, warm tone with a nice top end

  • Offers a clean signal with minimal saturation at high gain

  • Suitable for vocals with its distinct tone color

  • Quieter and cleaner than many other preamps in the same range

  • Maintains emotional depth in spoken performances

CONS

  • Noisy with poor RF shielding

  • Experienced issues with oscillation after initial use

  • Difficulties in obtaining customer support for repairs

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Black Lion Audio B12A.

Mods and upgrades

  • Replacing the output transformer with a Carnhill for 1073 or a steel Cinemag for API enhances the sound quality.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Running Neve preamps into 600-ohm pads before the interface can prevent unwanted spitty sounds.

    Source

Comparisons

  • API consoles were sometimes modded with nickel core transformers for added lift, though current usage is word-of-mouth.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jacob Tilley uses Black Lion Audio B12A

Jacob Tilley

Guitarist

Young the Giant

...
Verified via Reverb

Sold on Reverb.com. This one in particular is labeled "Jake".

From YTG: We used these preamps in our LA home studio while we were writing and making demos for our second record, Mind over Matter. We had both Jake and Eric’s guitars, Sameer’s Vox, and bass DI going through these preamps. These preamps are modeled after the API 312A style microphone preamps.

See how Eric Cannata uses Black Lion Audio B12A

Eric Cannata

Guitarist

Young the Giant

...
Verified via Reverb

Sold on Reverb.com. This one in particular is labeled "Eric".

From YTG: We used these preamps in our LA home studio while we were writing and making demos for our second record, Mind over Matter. We had both Jake and Eric’s guitars, Sameer’s Vox, and bass DI going through these preamps. These preamps are modeled after the API 312A style microphone preamps.

See how Payam Doostzadeh uses Black Lion Audio B12A

Payam Doostzadeh

Bassist

Young the Giant

...
Verified via reverb.com

Sold on Reverb.com. This one in particular is labeled "Bass DI".

From YTG: We used these preamps in our LA home studio while we were writing and making demos for our second record, Mind over Matter. We had both Jake and Eric’s guitars, Sameer’s Vox, and bass DI going through these preamps. These preamps are modeled after the API 312A style microphone preamps.

See how Sameer Gadhia uses Black Lion Audio B12A

Sameer Gadhia

Guitarist, Singer

Young the Giant

...
Verified via reverb.com

Sold on Reverb.com. This one in particular is labeled "DM Vox".

From YTG: We used these preamps in our LA home studio while we were writing and making demos for our second record, Mind over Matter. We had both Jake and Eric’s guitars, Sameer’s Vox, and bass DI going through these preamps. These preamps are modeled after the API 312A style microphone preamps.

Album Usage

The Black Lion Audio B12A has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Black Lion Audio B12A, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
warthog_alien

warthog_alien

Gear IQ 139

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