{"product_id":"api-audio-512c-mic-pre-149964","title":"512C Mic Pre","description":"\u003ch3\u003eA Classic in the 500 Format, at the Heart of the API Signature\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAPI 512c\u003c\/strong\u003e continues the legacy of API preamps that have become studio standards for their attack, midrange presence, and ability to cut through a mix without effort. Designed to integrate naturally into a modular ecosystem, it adopts the \u003cstrong\u003e500 series format\u003c\/strong\u003e and is suited for all configurations: compact LunchBox, 10-slot racks, 2-slot racks, or compatible consoles. Its goal remains the same: to provide stable gain, minimal noise, and an immediately usable color, whether for recording, reamping, or hybrid processing chains.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIntended Uses and Studio Profiles\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 512c is an excellent choice if you're looking for a \u003cstrong\u003echaracterful mic preamp\u003c\/strong\u003e capable of adapting to both quick takes and demanding sessions. Its gain reserve and low noise make it suitable for dynamic or condenser microphones, on vocals, guitar, snare, overheads, brass, amps, and percussion. On the \u003cstrong\u003eline input\u003c\/strong\u003e, it serves as a quality link for passing signals from a converter, external processor, or synthesizer. On the \u003cstrong\u003einstrument input\u003c\/strong\u003e, it becomes an effective DI for recording bass, guitar, or electronic sources with a firm and defined response.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey Features: Control, Headroom, and Wiring Flexibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned to get straight to the point, the 512c offers the essential controls of a professional studio preamp, with ergonomics tailored for the 500 format.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eInput Selection and Source Matching\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou can choose between \u003cstrong\u003emic input\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eline input\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003einstrument input\u003c\/strong\u003e to immediately adapt the input stage to your signal type. This versatility allows the module to be used both for recording and integration into an existing processing chain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eRecording Tools: Pad, Polarity, and Phantom Power\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e-20 dB pad\u003c\/strong\u003e helps handle very strong sources (close brass, snare, tightly miked guitar amp, etc.) by preventing early saturation of the input stage. \u003cstrong\u003ePolarity inversion\u003c\/strong\u003e facilitates phase alignment during multi-mic setups, and \u003cstrong\u003e48 V phantom power\u003c\/strong\u003e ensures compatibility with most condenser and active microphones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eLevel Monitoring and Signal Management\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eLED VU meter\u003c\/strong\u003e provides an immediate visual reference to set your levels, speeding up gain staging on a daily basis. This is particularly useful in 500 series racks, where a clear and quick reading is often sought without multiplying peripherals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eAccessible Connectivity, Even in a Rack\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 512c is designed to remain practical once installed: the \u003cstrong\u003eXLR\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003e6.35 mm jack\u003c\/strong\u003e connectors on the front, combined with \u003cstrong\u003emic access at the rear\u003c\/strong\u003e, offer real wiring flexibility depending on your rack (6-slot LunchBox, vertical 10-slot rack, horizontal 2-slot rack, or API console). This allows you to adapt your studio on the fly without having to remove the module or reorganize the entire patching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e@media(max-width:632px){table[data-wb-spec]{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) minmax(0,1fr)}table[data-wb-spec] colgroup{display:none}table[data-wb-spec] tbody,table[data-wb-spec] tr{display:contents}table[data-wb-spec] td{display:block;overflow-wrap:anywhere;grid-row:var(--wb-l);background-color:var(--wb-lb)}table[data-wb-spec] td[data-r]{grid-row:var(--wb-r);background-color:var(--wb-rb)}table[data-wb-spec] td[colspan=\"2\"]{grid-column:1\/-1}table[data-wb-spec] td:empty{display:none}}\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003ctable data-wb-spec style=\"width:100%;table-layout:fixed\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:1;--wb-r:2;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategory\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003emicrophone preamp\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable data-wb-spec style=\"width:100%;table-layout:fixed\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:1;--wb-r:9;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003emicrophone\/line\/instrument preamplifier module\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhantom power\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e48 V\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:2;--wb-r:10;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e500 series\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePolarity inversion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eyes\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:3;--wb-r:11;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRequired chassis\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eLunchBox (500 series compatible)\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVU meter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eLED\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:4;--wb-r:12;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNoise\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e-129 dB EIN\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConnector access\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003efront and rear\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:5;--wb-r:13;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMicrophone channel gain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e65 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFront\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eXLR and 1\/4-inch jack\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:6;--wb-r:14;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLine\/instrument channel gain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e50 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003emicrophone access\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:7;--wb-r:15;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInput selection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003emicrophone, line or instrument\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElectronics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003etraditional API discrete circuitry\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:8;--wb-r:16;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttenuator pad\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e-20 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOp-amp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eAPI 2520\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Api Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default 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