Black Lion Audio Eighteen Channel Strip - EQ & Mic Pre

Full Description

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