983S MK2 TWO CHANNEL TUBE PREAMP
TWO CHANNEL VACUUM TUBE INSTRUMENT AND MICROPHONE PREAMPLIFIER
LaChapell performance in a cost- effective two channel package.
​
The LaChapell 983S MK2 is a two channel tube mic pre featuring the innovative True48™ dynamic phantom power supply. True48 improves the performance of your condenser mics. Current 48V supplies dip in voltage as the source load changes (such as periods of high transients on many mics). True48 evens out the voltage supply, giving mics greater headroom, quicker transient recovery and a smoother less distorted response.
​
Each channel on the LaChapell 983S MK2 features a Cinemag input transformer, an ECC83/12AX7 vacuum tube, Jensen output transformer and Burr Brown & THAT Corporation line drivers. Each component in the signal path is of the highest quality, carefully selected to sound beautiful and last long.
This mic pre is capable of stunning clean tones and harmonically rich tube-driven tones. Exceptional on nearly any source, the 983S MK2 features high and low pass filters with selectable roll-off frequencies, channel mute, front panel Hi-Z input, pad and polarity switches.
PRODUCT SPECS
INTERNAL GAIN
​
THD+N
​
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
​
MAX OUTPUT (1% THD+N)
​
TYPICAL EIN
​
INPUT IMPEDANCE
​
TRANSFORMERS
​
​
TUBE COMPLEMENT
0 to >72.5dB
​
0.01% (minimum)
​
9Hz to 40KHz
​
+26dBu
​
-124dBu
​
1.5KΩ
​
CINEMAG CMMI-10PCA (INPUT)
JENSEN JT-11-DM (OUTPUT)
​
2 x 12AX7 / ECC83
FEATURES
983S USE EXAMPLES
DUAL DRIVE KNOBS
The Dual Drive knobs on LaChapell's preamps provide an infinite array of tonal options. Favoring the input knob increases the signal going to the tube, resulting in more harmonics and overall distortion. Favoring the output knob yields a very clean signal. Together, you can dial in sounds from pristine to warm and harmonically rich.
VERSATILE TONE WITH PAD
The pad switch not only provides a -20dB gain reduction for high input sources, it also works with
the Dual Drive knobs to create color and headroom options. Engage the pad to dial in warm tones with
lots of headroom.
TRUE48 Dynamic Phantom Power
Standard phantom power supplies often do not deliver and maintain sufficient power for today’s microphones. True48 is a custom circuit that ensures your mics are never starved for power, resulting in higher headroom, quicker transient recovery, and smoother response.
HIGH AND LOW PASS FILTERS
Independent High and Low Pass Filters maximize control over your recorded or live signal.
BEST IN CLASS PERFORMANCE
Everything in the 983S mic pre is designed to be best in class. Every component, transformer, wire and tube has been meticulously selected for performance and longevity.
LOW NOISE AND OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
The ultra low output impedance of the 983S mic pre means you can run long cables from the stage to front of house or from studio room to studio room. The ultra low noise means you can record any source with confidence that you are only recording what you WANT to record.
FRONT PANEL HI-Z INPUT
The front panel Hi-Z input allows you to plug a bass or other instrument directly into the 983S. As an instrument front end, the 983S allows for natural tube compression and harmonics to any input source.
Click the button below to see some examples of how the LaChapell Audio 983S tube mic preamp can be used in the recording studio.
983S USER GUIDE AND DOWNLOADS
983S RAVES & REVIEWS
“I’ve been using LaChapell Audio mic preamps for a number of years. The one word that comes to mind that’s consistent throughout the line is 'versatility.' All of the mic preamps have 2 distinct flavors based on where they interject the 20 dB pad. Without the pad engaged you get a big, open, warm, full-of-transients sound that’s lovely on just about everything. With the pad engaged you get a tight, slightly compressed, less transients sound that works on everything else. They are definitely my go to mic preamps. When I don’t use them It’s just because I don’t have enough of them.” – Mark Polack, Mixer/Engineer/ Bassist/Programmer/Songwriter (Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx, Paul Carrack, John Oates, Reggie Young, Mark Knopfler, Felix Cavaliere)
​
​
“I’ve been using the 992 now for several years and it is my “go to” mic/line instrument preamp for all of my recordings. It is clean and any mic or instrument that I plug into it sounds good. I use it for acoustic guitars, vocals and other instruments as well. It is a fine piece of professional recording gear that I highly recommend!”
​