Behringer 1273 2-Channel Mic Preamp w/ 3-Band EQ & Custom Built Midas Transformer

Every so often an iconic piece of hardware takes the music industry by storm and transforms into a beloved fixture in studios worldwide. The 1073 was one such piece of gear. A mic preamp with a unique voice and rich sound, it became famous for shaping the sounds of many music generations, from the grit of ‘70s rock and roll, to the polished pop of the ‘80s. It was a staple in renowned studios like Abbey Road, Sound City, and Capitol Studios and influenced iconic tracks like Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks” as well as The Who’s “Who’s Next.” Today, we pay homage to that iconic studio cornerstone with the Behringer 1273, a two-channel microphone preamplifier, with built in EQ. The 1273 is more than just a remake. Developed with one of the original engineers, their valuable knowledge and experience ensures that the 1273 not only remains faithful to the original but is able to meet the demands of modern production.

The 1273 is built around a Class A discrete circuit which ensures the highest signal integrity with minimal coloration. Each input and output stage is equipped with a high-quality, custom-built Midas transformer that’s great for maintaining signal clarity and integrity. The 1273 also has versatile gain controls for each channel for various input types such as mic, line and instrument, providing comprehensive control and flexibility for different recording scenarios. And if you’re switching between different mics like a dynamic to a ribbon, pressing the tone switch adjusts the transformer impedance for whatever mic is in use. Great for when your using vintage microphones.

The 1273 includes an electronically controlled, resistor-stepped rotary gain switch that offers up to 80 dB of gain adjustment. This allows you to precisely set optimal input levels with the least amount of noise and is also great for recalling your settings consistently for every mix scenario.

Features

• Two-channel microphone preamplifier with 3-band equalisers, based on the classic 1073 design
• Class A, all discrete circuitry for highest signal integrity
• Custom-built Midas input and output transformers
• Versatile gain controls to handle various type of inputs including mic, line and instrument
• Electronically controlled resistor-stepped 80 dB rotary gain switch for extreme precision and low noise
• Tone function changes input transformer impedance for mic optimisation
• Dedicated Phase, Tone, Insert, Line, Instrument, and Phantom Power switches for each channel
• Inductor-based switchable equalisers section with a passive third-order high-pass filter
• Low-frequency boost/cut at 35, 60, 110 or 220 Hz
• Mid-frequency boost/cut at 360, 700, 1600, 3200, 4800 or 7200 Hz
• High-frequency boost/cut at 10, 12 or 16 kHz
• 5-position inductor-based high-pass filter, selectable for off, 50, 80, 160 or 300 Hz for each channel
• Transformer-balanced inputs and outputs on XLR/combo connectors
• High-precision 7-segment LED signal level meter for each channel
• Rugged 2U rack mount chassis for durability in portable applications
• Auto-ranging universal switchmode power supply