5 Cool Console Style Preamp Pedals
So Catalinbread just launched its Airstrip CB-Range Discrete Console Preamp, and instead of covering that just on its own, I thought I should do some kind of group / genre overview.
I’m not sure whether my powers of detection are somewhat not fully up-to-speed for this exercise, for I was only able to uncover 5 suitable candidates for this selection - do let me know if you’re aware of others that fit this selection.
There seems to be some sort of a distinction distinction between ’Console Preamps’ and ’Channel Strips’ which otherwise can have very similar topologies. My understanding is that the Preamp part needs to be Discrete Transistor based, while I’m not clear on the exact distinction between console preamps and channel strip pedals is in these circumstances!
Two of the selection are very well known, where the Cachalote Preamp I’ve already covered before on this site, while the Airstrip and MXNHLT ConSol Preamp are brand new - in fact the ConSol Preamp is so new that it’s only out in prototype format thus far - but looks highly intriguing!
Here’s my list of 5 :
- Hudson Electronics Broadcast : Dual Footswitch - transformer coupled, discrete Class-A germanium pre-amplifier (RCA Broadcast Console) - £179 / $285
- JHS Pedals Colour Box V2 10 Studio-Grade Preamplifier (Neve Console) - $449
- Cachalote Audio Console Preamp (Unique Solid-state Class A Preamp) - R$1198 / $205
- Catalinbread Airstrip Console Preamp (Trident A-Range Console) - $179
- MXNHLT Effects ConSol Preamp (Electric Ladyland Helios Console) - $189
I only own the Dual Hudson Broadcast so far, while all the compacts are possible targets. I also love what the JHS Colour Box delivers - but it’s far from the ideal format for me, and there are features there that I don’t need and would not use - so that is an unlikely acquisition!
Further individual details on each below as is customary :
Hudson Electronics Broadcast : Dual Footswitch - transformer coupled, discrete Class-A germanium pre-amplifier (RCA Broadcast Console) - £179 / $285
Controls - Low Cut, Gain Trim, Level Low, Level High, Low Gain Footswitch (Red), High Gain Footswitch (Green).
The only one of these I have to-date - a really uniquely textured Germanium Transistor Preamp - which I typically file as a fuzzy-drive - delivers beautifully texture overdrive, and up to - mid-gain fuzz-drive tones.
JHS Pedals Colour Box V2 10 Studio-Grade Preamplifier (Neve Console) - $449
Controls - MASTER CONTROLS } Master Volume, Pre-Volume Gain, Step Up Gain (1st is +18 dB, 2nd is +23 dB, 3rd is +28 dB, 4th is +33 dB, 5th is +39 dB0; FILTER } Hi-Pass filter : On/Off | Sweep : 60Hz > 800Hz (@ 6dB/Octave), EQ } Treble± | Treble Q Shift, Middle± | Middle Q Shift, Bass± | Bass Q Shift; HEADROOM } Headroom Switch : Hi/Lo.
The largest and most potent one of these - with easily the largest features set, and including an XLR out board - properly a kitchen-sink of Console Preamp. It sounds pretty great too - but for my preferences - I've kind of decided that this is a little too large for me, and it has a few features on board which I would not likely use!
Cachalote Audio Console Preamp (Unique Solid-state Class A Preamp) - R$1198 / $205
Controls - Gain (>+40dB), Volume, Impedance : Z (Hi) / z (lo), EQ : Scoop / Flat / Boost.
One that I identified during my recent Brazilian Pedals overview - the one with the simplest / least amounts of controls - but where it's topology still looks intriguing.
Catalinbread Airstrip Console Preamp (Trident A-Range Console) - $179
Controls - Volume, Tone (Treble Filter), Trim (% Preamp Gain), Push (Main Gain).
Very recently launched - and features a very straight-forward control topology - with kind of dual Gain Controls. Not a lot of shaping on-tap here, but ramps up the different levels of gain / saturation nicely.
MXNHLT Effects ConSol Preamp (Electric Ladyland Helios Console) - $189
Controls - Mid±, Hi, Volume, Mid Frequency, Lo, Gain, Q Resonance, Flip (First Transistor Inversion), Volts : 9V / 18V.
This one is kind of hot off the MXNHLT Instagram page - looks like only a single prototype has been made to date - I will likely do a more in-depth feature on this pedal once there are actually production examples out in the world. For now there is no official demo yet - obviously I will update as and when there is some change in status here!
16 of the Best Fuzzy-Drive Pedals
