Black Lion Auteur MKIII

A "modern-vintage" preamp designed to fit into any rack

With its 1U half-width format, the Auteur MKIII was designed to provide a serious preamplification section in a compact footprint, whether in a fixed studio, mobile control room, or hybrid home studio setup. Its sonic approach combines a contemporary design foundation focused on precision and stability, with a Cinemag transformer output that adds density, depth, and a very appreciable "finished sound" feel right at tracking. The supplied rack ears allow easy integration into a standard 19-inch rack without any modifications.

Who the Auteur MKIII is for, and in which applications it makes a difference

This 2-channel preamplifier is aimed at sound engineers, producers, and musicians who want to capture a source cleanly while maintaining immediate musicality, without relying on heavy post-production processing. On vocals, it helps achieve clear presence and articulation while preserving a pleasant warmth. On a snare drum or overheads, its headroom and wide frequency response enhance impact and transients. For instrument DI (guitar, bass, synth), the front panel Hi-Z input simplifies the session and ensures a solid signal ready for processing or reamping.
Thanks to its ample headroom and practical controls (pad and phase inversion), it also integrates very well into chains with external compressors or equalizers, building an effective channel strip. The +48 V phantom power facilitates the use of condenser microphones, while the balanced outputs secure long cable runs to converters, patchbays, or consoles.

Key features: control, character, and consistently managed signal

A two-stage architecture for controlled coloration

The input stage, based on an integrated circuit, aims for modern transparency: low noise, fast response, and detail accuracy. At the output, the Cinemag transformer provides natural thickness and cohesion, particularly flattering on acoustic sources, vocals, and electric instruments. This combination allows you to navigate between clarity and warmth without losing definition.

Switchable front panel inputs: a real time-saver in sessions

Each channel features a line input and an instrument (Hi-Z) input on a 6.3 mm jack on the front panel, individually switchable. The result: you can switch from a mic to a DI in seconds without unplugging the rear of the rack. This is a tangible advantage for quick takes, writing sessions, or workflows alternating vocals, guitar, and synths.

Essential controls to secure recordings

The continuous gain from 0 to 62 dB offers a wide operating range, from more demanding dynamic microphones to line sources. The -10 dB pad helps handle very strong signals (snare, close amps, percussion) by preventing unwanted input saturation. The phase inversion facilitates multi-mic setups and stereo recordings by quickly correcting phase coherence issues. Finally, the +48 V phantom power supplies condenser and some active microphones, channel by channel depending on the studio implementation.

Audio performance designed for recording

With a frequency response of 10 to 30,000 Hz, the Auteur MKIII maintains solid low end and lets the highs breathe, resulting in a natural and unrestrictive mix rendering. Its 26 dB headroom allows working with comfortable margin, especially when feeding a converter or analog chain afterward. The THD+N values indicate very low distortion at usual gains, while still allowing a bit more character by pushing the gain stage depending on the source and intent.

Technical specifications