Black Lion Audio Eighteen - An homage to vintage channel strips

Following the runaway success of the much loved Seventeen compressor, Black Lion Audio is proud announce the Black Lion Audio Eighteen Channel Strip: an homage to the classic Melcor sound, featuring a mic preamp with Cinemag input and output transformers and two BLA1831 discrete op-amps, as well as a passive program EQ with a custom Cinemag inductor — all delivering the best of vintage vibes to your recordings!

Eighteen’s preamplifier circuit isn’t just another clone, but an homage built to pay proper tribute to one of the most classic designs ever made. That's why Black Lion created the BLA1831: a customized, discrete op-amp created through an extensive period of component testing — creating great vintage tone, while still matching a noise floor that’s akin to modern equipment.

The Eighteen can be described as having a punchy midrange with a buttery smooth top and bottom end.

Eighteen packs an impressive, original passive inductor-based equalizer that you’re sure to love — featuring a custom Cinemag inductor made just for Eighteen! The results are amazing; a quiet, and ultra-flexible equalizer that packs all of the vibe of your favorite program-style EQ’s. Black Lion Audio designed, engineered, assembles, and tests each unit by hand in the USA.

Eighteen is expected to ship before the end of January 2020, with an estimated MAP of $899 USD.