Black Lion Audio Eighteen Channel Strip - EQ & Mic Pre

$915.00excluding VAT
Not currently in stock, but available to order
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Estimated delivery: 17th - 19th March
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2-year warranty & 30-day money-back guarantee included

2-year warranty & 30-day money-back guarantee included
You can purchase from Gear4music with complete confidence and peace of mind. All of our products are new unless stated and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty as standard.

Once the product is delivered, you'll have 30 days to decide that you definitely want to keep it. If you decide it's not suitable, you can return it to us for an exchange or a refund, providing the product is in 'as new' condition and in its original packaging.

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If your goods develop a fault within the warranty period, we'll quickly repair or replace the item for you. If the fault occurs within the first 180 days of your ownership, we'll collect the goods and deliver them back to you free of charge.

We're unable to accept returns of any custom-made items designed to work together as a unique package. Some items are only eligible for the money-back guarantee if they are returned to us unused and sealed in the original packaging.

For full information on our returns policy, please refer to our returns and refunds information page.

If you decide your order isn't suitable for any reason you can return it - just let us know within 30 days of receiving it. Please keep hold of all the original packaging until you're sure you want to keep the order.

Eligibility for Money Back Guarantee

Important: For hygiene and software licensing reasons, some items are only eligible for our Money Back Guarantee if they are returned to us unused and sealed in the original packaging with all software still "unregistered." Details of exclusions are shown within the product descriptions. Products include:
- Monitors and Headphones
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We can collect your return for a small fee, or you can send it back to us yourself. The collection fee can be found in the returns information on each product's page on Gear4music.

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Summary of returns policies and timescales

This table provides an overview of your statutory consumer rights, compared with our standard returns policy and optional extended money back guarantee and warranty.

UK & Europe EU Standard Gear4music Standard Gear4music Optional
Return Period 14 days 30 days up to 180 days
Standard delivery charges refunded? Yes Yes Yes, up to 30 days
Upgraded delivery charges refunded? Standard costs only Standard costs only Standard costs only
Free collection on cancellation No No Yes, up to 30 days
Free collection if defective, delivered damaged or incorrect item Yes, within 14 days Yes, within 14 days Yes, within 30 days

We are unable to accept returns of any custom made items designed to work together as a unique package and some items are only eligible for money back guarantee if they are returned to us unused and sealed in the original packaging. For full information on our returns policy, please refer to our returns and refunds information guide.

Key Features

  • Custom Cinemag transformer for vintage warmth
  • BLA1831 discrete op-amp provides low-noise, high-quality signal amplification
  • Passive inductor-based EQ offers smooth frequency shaping and control
  • Output gain control lets you drive rich harmonic saturation
  • High-pass and low-pass filters provide additional tone-shaping flexibility

Black Lion Audio Eighteen Channel Strip - EQ & Mic Pre Overview

The Black Lion Audio Eighteen is a high-quality channel strip designed for producers and engineers looking for vintage warmth with modern reliability. Its preamp section features a custom Cinemag transformer and the BLA1831 discrete op-amp, delivering a creamy yet punchy response with minimal noise. The inductor-based passive EQ allows precise tonal shaping, while the output gain control lets you add harmonic saturation without unwanted distortion.


Additional features include an 80Hz high-pass filter, a 10kHz low-pass filter, polarity inversion, and 48V phantom power, making it versatile for a wide range of recording setups. The backlit VU meter provides clear level monitoring, while the internal power supply ensures stable operation. Built with premium components and designed for high-performance recording, the Eighteen is a powerful tool for achieving professional sound.

Product Ref: 326253

Full Description

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Vintage warmth with modern reliability

The Eighteen’s preamplifier section isn’t a clone of classic designs; it’s an original circuit built to capture their best qualities. The custom Cinemag input transformer gives your signal a rich, vintage tone, while the BLA1831 discrete op-amp ensures a low-noise floor comparable to modern studio gear. Whether you’re tracking vocals, guitars, or drums, this preamp delivers depth and detail with a warm, musical response.

With switchable mic/line inputs and an output gain control, you can drive the preamp into subtle saturation or full-bodied harmonic richness. The result is a smooth, characterful sound that works across multiple genres and recording styles.

Smooth and musical inductor-based EQ

The Eighteen’s equaliser is built around a custom Cinemag inductor, designed specifically for this unit. This passive inductor-based EQ provides two bands of smooth, natural frequency shaping, perfect for enhancing low-end weight and high-end presence. The design allows simultaneous boosting and cutting, making it easy to sculpt a well-balanced mix.

The additional low-pass shelving filter offers further tonal control, helping to refine your sound before it hits your DAW or tape machine. Whether you need subtle enhancement or bold shaping, this EQ delivers the flexibility and musicality of classic program-style equalisation.

Drive your tone with output gain control

One of the standout features of the Eighteen is its output gain control, which lets you push the unit into rich, harmonic saturation without clipping your converters. This allows you to add vintage-style character to your recordings, making your tracks sound fuller and more dynamic.

The combination of the Cinemag output transformer and precision-crafted gain staging means you can add colour and warmth while maintaining clarity. Whether you’re after a clean boost or subtle analog grit, the Eighteen gives you the control to shape your sound with precision.

Vintage style VU metering and onboard filters

The Eighteen includes a range of additional features designed to make recording easier. The 80Hz high-pass filter helps clean up unwanted low-end rumble, while the 10kHz low-pass filter controls high-frequency harshness. A polarity inversion switch ensures phase coherence when tracking multiple sources.

The backlit VU meter provides clear level monitoring, while the internal power supply with AC input ensures stable and reliable performance. With its solid build quality and thoughtful design, the Eighteen is built to be a long-term studio companion.

Features

  • Vintage-style preamp with Cinemag input and output transformers for a rich, classic sound
  • Custom BLA1831 discrete op-amp for exceptional tonal character with low noise
  • Passive inductor-based 2-band EQ with a custom Cinemag inductor for smooth, musical frequency shaping
  • Simultaneous boost and cut functionality to enhance low-end focus and top-end presence
  • Output control for driving harmonic saturation without signal clipping
  • 80Hz high-pass and 10kHz low-pass filters for additional tonal refinement
  • Switchable mic/line inputs with polarity flip and 48V phantom power for versatility
  • Classic backlit VU meter for precise level monitoring
  • Internal power supply with AC input and voltage selector for global compatibility
  • Designed, engineered, assembled, and tested by hand in the USA

Specifications

  • Preamp Type: Solid State Induction EQ Preamp
  • Number Of Channels: Single Channel
  • Phantom Power: Yes
  • Polarity Switch: Yes
  • EQ: 2-Band EQ, Lowpass Shelving, 80Hz Highpass, 10kHz Lowpass
  • Analog Inputs: 1 x XLR
  • Analog Outputs: 1 x XLR
  • Rack Spaces: 2U
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC Cable
  • Height: 9″
  • Depth: 15″
  • Width: 22″
  • Weight: 14.5 Lbs.
  • Product Code: Eighteen

Your order may contain items that use a 240V UK plug or a 220V EU plug

Any electrical items in your order may have been designed to work with a 240V circuit, using a United Kingdom G type plug connection or a 220V circuit, using an EU plug connection. An adapter or transformer may be required for these items to work properly and safely in your country. Some items work with a range of voltages, or have a switchable voltage control built in. Please refer to the specific product details for further information.

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