Black Lion Audio Auteur MKIII
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
Black Lion Audio
Auteur MKIII
Product Info
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
The Auteur MKIII is a seriously cool little preamp – it nails that vintage vibe without sacrificing modern clarity. The Cinemag transformer adds a pleasing warmth, and the clean gain stage is a welcome bonus. This is a great option for singer-songwriters, indie rock bands, or anyone wanting a touch of character without a huge price tag.
Product Description
- Black Lion Audio Auteur MKIII
- 2-Channel Preamplifier
- Ideal for vocals
- drums
- guitar etc.
- Mix of vintage sound and modern clarity
- Line and instrument input via jack sockets on the front
- individually switchable for each channel
- IC-based input stage for modern transparent sound
- Output stage with Cinemag transformer
- Frequency range: 10 - 30
- 000 Hz
- Gain: 0 - 62dB continuously adjustable
- Switchable -10dB PAD
- Switchable phase reversal
- THD+N (@ +4dBu output): 0.0033% @ +10dBu gain; 0.0054% @ +24dBu gain
- 0.027% @ +40dBu gain
- 2 Microphone inputs: XLR
- balanced
- 2 Line/Hi-Z inputs: 6.3 mm jack
- 2 Outputs: 6.3 mm jack
- balanced
- Headroom: 26 dB
- Phantom power: +48 V
- External 24VAC power supply
- Design: 1U at half rack width
- Mounted in standard 19-inch cases via attached rack ears
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 24 x 18 x 5 cm
- Weight: 1.9 kg
PROS
- • Cinemag transformer delivers a warm, musical coloration.
- • IC input stage provides clean, transparent gain when needed.
- • Half-rack design saves valuable space in tight studios.
- • Flexible input options cater to diverse instruments and vocal styles.
CONS
- • The external power supply is a bit clunky for rack mounting.
- • Transformer saturation can be a limiting factor for some modern genres.
- • Build quality, while decent, doesn't feel quite as premium as competitors.
Product Video
Key Features
Channels
2
Preamp Type
Discrete Class A with Cinemag Transformer
Gain Range
0 - 62dB
Phantom Power
+48V
Connections
2 XLR Mic Inputs, 2 x 6.3mm Jack Line/Hi-Z Inputs, 2 x 6.3mm Jack Balanced Outputs
Weight
Approximately 6 lbs (including power supply)
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Frequently Asked Questions
It offers a similar sonic character thanks to the Cinemag transformer, but lacks the extreme headroom and potential for aggressive saturation of a higher-end tube design.
Yes, the Hi-Z input is designed to handle the higher impedance of active pickups, providing a balanced and clean signal without signal loss.
While relatively quiet, some hiss is present at those higher gain levels – it's manageable for most applications but might be a consideration for extremely quiet recordings.
