CHANDLER LIMITED Little Devil Pre Amp

Product overview

The CHANDLER LIMITED Little Devil Pre Amp is a 500-series class A microphone preamplifier and processor: up to 66.5 dB of gain, a Feedback & Bias control that changes the character of the gain stage, mic, line and DI inputs, Bright, Low Cut, 48 V and phase.

Handmade in the USA by real people with through-hole audio components, discrete transistors and large transformers, the Little Devil Pre uses a 100 % discrete transistor circuit and specially wound transformers. Its class A gain stage is big, yet open and full of life, and just about any parameter of the sound can be changed, including both the feedback and the bias of the amplifier. It has no power-up issues with lunchboxes and rack systems.

Key features

• Class A, discrete silicon transistor gain stage, transformer balanced
• Feedback & Bias: changes negative feedback and the bias of the gain stage at the same time
• Mic / Line switch: transformer balanced mic (1200 / 300 Ω) or line (10 kΩ) input
• Impedance Low / High for both mic and line
• DI unbalanced 1/4" input straight into the class A circuit
• Output control that acts like a console fader
• Bright and gently sloping Low Cut at 100 Hz
• +48 V phantom power and phase reverse at the output transformer

Feedback & Bias

The Feedback & Bias control changes the frequency response in the high and low areas, harmonic distortion, the nature of clipping and the overall character of the pre amp. With feedback on full the sound gets 'gushy': the unit soft-clips much earlier, harmonics increase exponentially and it takes on a very high voltage, 'overbiased' class A personality. With the control low the sound is very coloured but more tame, with harmonics around 0.007 % and noise around -93 dB. Near the middle you get the most headroom and the most typical mic pre operation.

More than a mic pre

Mic / Line switches between the transformer balanced mic input and the transformer balanced line input, so the Little Devil Pre also processes tape or recording-software tracks, buss submixes or the complete stereo buss. For unbalanced sources such as bass and keyboards use the DI, which bypasses the input transformer and goes straight into the class A input.

Output, Bright and Low Cut

Output acts as a fader on a mixing console, to trim the signal or to drive the input harder: the Devil Pre loves to be driven. Bright increases high-frequency information on the output transformer by lessening damping, and the Low Cut is a gently sloping filter at 100 Hz tuned for acoustic guitar and voice.

In the rack

The module is tested to start up without power errors in common 500-series racks; CHANDLER LIMITED recommends a rack with an external power supply for any 500 module, and a wire from earth to power supply common where the rack allows.

In the box

• Little Devil Pre Amp module

CHANDLER LIMITED Little Devil Pre Amp: frequently asked questions

Can it process line-level tracks?

Yes. Switch to Line to process tape or recording-software tracks, buss submixes or the complete stereo buss through the transformer balanced line input.

How much gain does it have?

Up to 66.5 dB, continuously variable.

What power does it draw?

500-series ±16 V DC: the spec gives +16 V @ +105 mA and -16 V @ -70 mA; the manual gives +95 mA / -70 mA at unity gain into 600 Ω.

Does it have a DI?

Yes: an unbalanced 1/4" direct input for guitar, bass and keyboards.

Where can I buy the CHANDLER LIMITED Little Devil Pre Amp in India?

The CHANDLER LIMITED Little Devil Pre Amp is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Vocals and acoustic guitar

Tracking in a 500 rack.

Connections

Setup

1. Select Mic and the impedance.
2. Switch on 48V if needed.
3. Set Gain and Feedback & Bias near the middle.
4. Engage Low Cut.

Tip: The low cut was tuned for acoustic guitar and voice.

Workflow 2: Loud drums and guitar

Close microphones on loud sources.

Connections

Setup

1. Turn Feedback & Bias down for very little gain.
2. Set the output.
3. Check headroom.
4. Record.

Tip: Lots of feedback gives very low distortion and noise.

Workflow 3: Gushy colour

Producers looking for character.

Connections

Setup

1. Turn Feedback & Bias up.
2. Drive the gain.
3. Trim with Output.
4. Record.

Tip: Full feedback & bias gives an overbiased class A personality.

Workflow 4: Processing a mix

Mixing engineers.

Connections

Setup

1. Select Line.
2. Set gain and output.
3. Shape with Feedback & Bias and Bright.
4. Print the result.

Tip: The Devil Pre is a processor as well as a mic pre.

Workflow 5: Bass and keyboards DI

Direct recording.

Connections

Setup

1. Plug into the DI.
2. Set gain.
3. Set Feedback & Bias.
4. Record.

Tip: The DI skips the input transformer for a different tone.

Workflow 6: Brighter tone

Sources that need air.

Connections

Setup

1. Engage Bright.
2. Set gain.
3. Check phase if needed.
4. Record.

Tip: Bright lessens the damping of the output transformer.