PreSonus Studio Channel Mono Vacuum Tube Preamp/Compressor/EQ

Full Description

Add rich analog tone with real tube circuitry

The Studio Channel features a Class A tube preamp built around a high-output 12AX7 vacuum tube, powered at higher voltage levels than similar units. This delivers increased headroom and fuller, more harmonically complex tone. The Tube Drive knob adjusts how much of the signal runs through the tube, while the Gain control manages overall input level. By blending these two controls, it’s easy to move from clean and clear to warm and saturated, depending on your instrument or mic source. This setup is particularly effective for adding depth to vocals, fattening up bass, or giving guitars extra presence.

The front-panel instrument input bypasses the mic preamp and is tailored for passive signals like electric guitars or basses. For microphones and line-level equipment, rear XLR and TRS inputs are included, making the Studio Channel highly adaptable to your studio setup.

Control dynamics with a fast and musical compressor

To manage signal peaks and balance dynamics, the Studio Channel includes a responsive VCA-based compressor. It offers detailed control with threshold, ratio, attack, release, and gain make-up knobs. These let you apply anything from subtle control to strong limiting, depending on the settings. The Soft button switches between soft-knee and hard-knee compression curves, while the Auto button overrides manual attack and release settings to follow a pre-set response curve. This is especially useful when working quickly or needing consistent results across varying material.

The compressor is effective on vocals, drums, bass, keys, and many other instruments. It helps place sounds consistently in the mix without having to ride faders manually. The gain reduction can be viewed in real time via the VU meter, which can also be switched to monitor output level.

Shape your sound with flexible EQ controls

The 3-band parametric EQ is designed for musical and precise tone control. Each band features fully variable frequency and gain. The low and high bands also include peak/shelving toggle switches, allowing them to function either as traditional peak filters or as shelving filters to boost or cut broader ranges. The mid band includes a variable Q control, making it ideal for correcting narrow problem areas or enhancing specific tones.

This section gives you the tools to tidy up recordings, remove muddiness, enhance clarity, or add bite—depending on the material. An EQ>Compressor switch allows you to decide the order of processing, placing the EQ either before or after the compressor in the signal path.

Studio-ready tools for real-world flexibility

The Studio Channel is packed with features to handle a range of recording needs. Phantom power supports condenser microphones. A -20dB pad prevents overload when using hot signals or high-output mics. The phase invert switch helps combat phase issues when using multiple microphones. An 80Hz high-pass filter can be used to remove low-end rumble or tighten up vocal recordings. These controls make it easier to get a clean, usable signal into your interface or mixer. Connectivity is straightforward, with both XLR and TRS outputs for routing to other studio gear. The analog VU meter provides clear visual feedback, and the sturdy metal chassis makes the unit reliable for long-term use in any setup.

Features

1 channel with Class A 12AX7 vacuum-tube mic/instrument preamplifier

• Gain control with +10 dB to +54 dB gain range
• Tube Drive control
• 48V phantom power switch
• 80 Hz high-pass filter
• -20 dB pad
• Polarity-reverse switch

Fully Variable VCA compressor

• Attack, Release, Ratio, Threshold, and (makeup) Gain
• Auto Attack/Release switch
• Soft/Hard Knee switch
• Bypass switch

3-band parametric equalizer

• Gain, Frequency, and Q controls (mid band)
• Gain and Frequency controls (low and high bands)
• Shelving/peak switches (low and high bands)
• Switchable pre-/post-compressor
• Bypass switch

Master level control

• Backlit VU meter
• Gain Reduction to Meter switch (selects gain reduction or output gain)

Input/Output

• 1 unbalanced 1/4" instrument input (front panel)
• 1 balanced 1/4" line input
• 1 balanced XLR mic input
• 1 balanced 1/4" line output
• 1 balanced XLR line output

Physical

• 1U 19" rack-mountable, rugged steel chassis
• Sealed, detented, metal rotary controls
• External 16 VAC power supply

Specifications

• Number of Channels: 1
• Inputs: 1 XLR, 1 Unbalanced 1/4" TS
• Outputs: 1 XLR, 1 Balanced 1/4" TRS
• Frequency Response: 10Hz to 50kHz
• Noise: -96dBu
• Gain Range: -6dB to +66dB (+/- 10dB trim on line input)
• Maximum Output: +22dBu
• Phantom Power: +48V
• Threshold Range: -40dBu to +2dBu
• Ratio: 1-10 (1:1 to 2:1)
• Attack Time: 0.1 to 200ms
• Release Time: 0.05ms to 3S
• Sidechain: No
• Frequency Bands: Low frequencies = variable from 40Hz to 500kHz, Mid frequencies = variable from 200Hz to 3kHz, High frequencies = variable from 2kHz to 20kHz
• Range (Boost/Cut): Low and high frequencies = variable between +/-10dB, Mid frequencies: variable from -10dB to +10dB
• Product Code: 2777404102