AES: UA Debuts Multi-Channel Mic Preamps

4110 (Click for a close-up)

8110 (Click for a close-up)

Universal Audio announced the 8110 and 4110 Precision multi-channel microphone preamplifiers. Both units feature a brand new Class A, all discrete design with dual-stage level controls and unique 3-way "Shape" switching on every channel for a wide and versatile tone palette. The 8110 (an 8 channel unit) and the 4110 (a 4 channel unit with DI) will list for $5295 and $3195 respectively.

"UA is well known for classics and vintage recreations, but the 8110 and 4110 are brand new designs, developed and road-tested in the studio just like the historical UA solid-state 1108 and 1109 units," said Joe Bryan, VP of Engineering for Universal Audio. " The precision "110" series was designed to stand alone with its unique sonic character and tonal flexibility to go from ultra-clean and transparent, to warm and "crunchy" via our front-panel switchable transformer loading or "Shape" control."

The shape switching modes are:

• Modern: Ultra-clean, transparent, maximum headroom
• Vintage: Transformer-loaded with harmonic enhancement
• Saturate: Transformer-loaded with soft limiting and transient smoothing

Key features include:

• All discrete Class A, transformer input, DC-coupled output, 80dB gain
• 3-way "SHAPE" switch: Modern/Vintage/Saturate
• Dual-stage level controls for maximum harmonic flexibility
• Lightening-fast transients, wide-bandwidth, high-headroom, low-noise
• Mic XLR, TRS or XLR line, and D-sub 25-pin connectors
• Selectable microphone and DI input impedance
• Switchable per-channel phantom power, mic pad, low-cut filter, and phase
• Stunning dual-textured all-anodized black front panel, with blue illuminated switches and multi-segment, multi-color LED level metering.