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PreSonus Studio Channel

Channel Strip with Class A Vacuum Tube Preamplifier, Variable VCA Compressor, and 3-band Parametric EQ
$359.99

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Step-up the Quality of Your Recordings!

The PreSonus Studio Channel is the perfect way to step-up the quality of your recordings! This fully featured channel strip delivers a Class A tube microphone/instrument preamplifier, a variable VCA compressor, and a 3-band parametric EQ complete with VU metering - all at a ridiculously great price. If you're currently working on stock interface or mixer preamplifiers, you won't believe how incredible the same sources sound through the Studio Channel. Experience all that signature fat tube tone plus the full-on ability to tweak - the PreSonus Studio Channel's bound to become your "go-to" box!

PreSonus Studio Channel at a Glance:
  • Enhance your signal path
  • Class A tube preamplifier
  • Fully featured VCA compressor
  • 3-band parametric EQ
Enhance your signal path

The PreSonus Studio Channel is set to take your sound well into the next level, as it noticeably outperforms the preamplifiers built into most audio recording interfaces and affordable mixers. You get essential tube tone along with the ability to sculpt and shape it in whatever direction you want. Fatten up a vocal with compression or sweeten up a piano track with EQ, you'll be ready to make the most out of whatever source you're recording with this versatile audio toolbox.

Class A tube preamplifier

The Studio Channel has everything you need to achieve big, radio-worthy sound straightaway. The preamplifier stage of the Studio Channel is based on PreSonus's award-winning BlueTube preamplifier that's known for its high headroom and big tone, thanks to a high-output 12AX7 vacuum tube. What's more, dual control Gain and Tube Drive let you dial in a wide range of sounds for sonic variety. You can give a DI-ed guitar track a bit of that overdriven tube edge then record a warm, smooth vocal track - it's all onboard the Studio Channel.

Fully featured VCA compressor

The PreSonus Studio Channel's compressor features a fully variable, ultra-fast and smooth VCA-based circuit. You have all the must-have compression controls at your fingertips, including ratio, threshold, attack, release, and gain make up. VCA-based compressors are known for both their musicality as well as their ability to tame even the fastest transients. Whatever source you're recording, you'll enjoy the ability to get the signal in as hot as needed without clipping.

3-band Parametric EQ

Use the Studio Channel's superb equalizer section to carve out unwanted frequencies and tailor your tone to enhance your overall sound. The custom-designed amplifiers in the equalizer deliver sweet-sounding gain/cut so you can have ultra-smooth highs, deep solid lows, and clear midrange. What's more, the mid-band of the EQ section has variable Q for controlling the width around the center point of the selected frequency. Plus, high and low frequency bands let you select peak/dip or shelving frequencies.

PreSonus Studio Channel Features:
  • Class A vacuum tube microphone / instrument preamplifier
  • Tube gain and tube drive
  • Variable VCA compressor (threshold, ratio, attack, release, make up gain, auto, soft)
  • Three-band parametric EQ
  • Precision analog VU meter for gain reduction and output
  • EQ Pre/Post compressor switch
  • 80Hz highpass filter
  • 20dB pad
  • Phase invert
  • Rugged metal chassis
  • High-headroom
  • Ultra-low-noise design
The PreSonus Studio Channel gives you incredible tonal control - and next-level sound quality!

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Tech Specs

  • Preamp Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: 1
  • Phantom Power: Yes
  • EQ: Yes
  • Compressor: Yes
  • Frequency Response: 10Hz-50kHz
  • Analog Inputs: 1 x XLR (Mic), 1 x 1/4" (Line)
  • Analog Outputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4"
  • Rack Spaces: 1U
  • Power Source: AC Adapter (included)
  • Height: 1.75"
  • Depth: 5.5"
  • Width: 19"
  • Weight: 5 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 2777400102

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Great Preamp

I have a PreSonus 1824c audio interface and decided to purchase a tube mic preamp to add to my home studio, I decided on the PreSonus Studio Channel. Wow! what a difference it's makes with the tube, compression and eq all built to the Studio Channel. I've tested several mics, a Rode NT1, Cad and Sennheiser all sounded great. I even tried a cheap condenser mic that I had laying around, that also sounded pretty good. This is a great addition to my home studio, haven't tried any instruments yet, that's next.
Rated 5/5

BUY IT TODAY!!!

You, Yes you! reading this right now. I was exactly where you are right now. Sitting in a chair.. looking at reviews, watching demos on youtube, researching hours and hours looking for a good preamp that won't break the bank and that would make my vocals sound like what I hear on Rap, Pop,R&B, Reggaeton music and more. This is it. This right here is the reason why you are not getting a radio ready sound. If you are still just using an interface like a budget focusrite, i'm here to tell you this strip channel is going to take your vocals to the next level its going to get you 80% of the way there. You will hear a difference 100% guaranteed. Currently I have my unit hooked up to an Nt1a and a focusrite solo with some amazon basics xlr cables now imagine with a better microphone or a better interface how this would sound. (I've had UAD MKII Duo and TLm 103). And I've never gotten anywhere close to the sonic quality i'm getting with this channel strip with anything i've ever used before.I don't know why I never jumped on this unit I guess to me it looked like a toy. like plastic or something cheap... And it's not at all. Not even close. This unit is worth every single penny. Do not hesitate to buy this if all you have is $400 then this is going to be money well spent. Also shout out to my engineer Lindsey Becker for sticking by me and helping me with my orders.
Music background: (16) Years Home Recording & Mixing (Rap, R&B, VO, Reggaeton, Country, Rock, Pop)
Rated 5/5

Pair of this on Master Bus is Awesome

Ok, I know I already left a review of this awesome unit weeks back BUT I have to say this one.
Since I have two of these unit, I tried to load it in my master bus as stereo (I'm using Studio One Pro, by the way) and used its compressor and a subtle gain and tube drive (cause I've been doing this with a plugin - an SSL Stereo Compressor). Guess what?! I'm blown away! It glues things up together musically! I have not used the EQ yet on the master bus but I guess I'll be doing that in my next project. I used the EQ on every track, by the way, carving and printing in pairs (since I have 2 units). Who says this will not sound PRO? Perhaps you just don't know how to maximize it. I've been recording and mixing since 2006 and I couldn't be more happier now! Good job Presonus, and thanks Sweetwater for the best deal!
Music background: Musician, Record Engineer, Audio Producer, Song Writer
Rated 5/5

Very Good Channel Strip

Bought a used one from Sweetwater to saved some
more cash. I was expecting a used one with any signs of it but it seems like I purchased a new one. This is my second studio channel strip from Presonus, I'm so happy with my first one that I bought another one for stereo tracking or for side by side mixing or printing tracks simultaneously in pairs. I swapped out the preamp tubes with mesaboogie (bought also from sweetwater) AND I'm loving it more!!!
Rated 4/5

Great value at this price point...

Great value for the non-pro home studio at a price point anyone can afford. I added this Channel Strip to my desk rack replacing a SansAmp I was using for bass and keyboards and was presently surprised with the warm tube tone and useab compression and eq. Sounds good for electric as well as mic'd instruments. If you normally record directly into your interface, this is a real step up and makes a big difference. Remember garbage in garbage out... this eliminates the garbage in so your tracks need less processing to be useable. For me it's a 5 star rating because it's great to find all this in one package at this price that filled my need perfectly... but it's not "High End" so be realistic.

Hear from a Sales Engineer

What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Mike Conyers

The Studio Channel by PreSonus is one of the most cost-effective ways to get a good tube preamp into your rack. The compressor is solid, and the paramteric EQ just adds even more value to this rack piece. For the money, you really can't go wrong!

Sweetwater and PreSonus go way back, and that makes a lot of sense. Like Sweetwater, PreSonus is largely staffed by active musicians, songwriters, live sound techs, and engineers, and like Sweetwater, their culture shows up in everything they do. Early on, PreSonus broke ground by offering super-affordable audio interfaces that brought quality recording to home studio engineers everywhere. In the following years, we've been with them as they introduced a powerful, artist-friendly DAW, groundbreaking digital mixers, and more - all products we at Sweetwater use ourselves. One thing that's never changed, even as PreSonus has branched out into new territory, is that they've always done everything possible to provide you with the best value, and we're proud to stand by their products.

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