Black Lion Audio Auteur MKIII

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Black Lion Audio Auteur MKIII

Black Lion Audio

Auteur MKIII

4.6 Expert Rating

Product Info

Article Number: 542983
Model: Auteur MKIII
Category: Preamps
Price: $504.90

* 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.

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