Black Lion B12A MKIII

The 312A Legacy: A Preamplification Aesthetic That Became a Standard

The 312A design follows a tradition of preamplification crafted for modern recording: ample dynamic headroom, fast transient response, and a natural presence that enhances sources without "smoothing" them out. This 1U half-rack format embodies this philosophy in a compact unit, easy to integrate on a control desk or in a rack, while retaining key signal path elements, including input and output transformers.

Who and What For: A Mono Preamp Tailored for Sound Capture

This 1-channel preamplifier targets demanding home studios as well as professional studios seeking a pronounced analog color and quick usability. It excels on vocals (presence and intelligibility), snare drums and overheads (clean transients), electric guitars (grain and impact), as well as bass and keyboards via the front-panel Hi-Z instrument input. Thanks to the variable output control, you can push the gain for more character, then precisely adjust the level sent to your audio interface, compressor, or converter.

Key Features: Control, Headroom, and Essential Connectivity

Cinemag Transformers: Character, Density, and Coherence

The presence of Cinemag transformers on input and output strongly contributes to the sonic identity: a sense of depth in the low mids, less harsh highs, and better "glue" in the mix. This is also an asset for transient-rich sources where you want to maintain impact while keeping a pleasant listening experience.

Stepped Gain and Output Control: Precision and Adaptability

The stepped gain control facilitates recall of settings and speeds up sessions. The variable output control adds extra flexibility: you adapt the output level to the rest of the chain, whether recording very cleanly or aiming for a more driven sound. This combination is ideal for optimizing headroom management before clipping and working cleanly with modern converters.

-18 dB Pad, Phase Inversion, and +48 V: Essentials for Sessions

The -18 dB attenuation allows handling very strong sources (kick drum, snare, close amp) without prematurely saturating the input. The phase inversion helps quickly correct phase issues during multi-mic setups. The switchable +48 V phantom power ensures compatibility with condenser microphones while remaining simple and safe to use.

Front-Panel Hi-Z Instrument Input: Fast and Efficient Direct Connection

The HI-Z front panel input is designed for plugging in a guitar, bass, or instrument source without an external DI box. It's a practical solution for recording demos, doubling takes, or capturing a clean DI before processing, all while benefiting from the preamplifier's character.

Technical specifications