Auteur MKII 500 Mic Pre

• 500 Series format (500 series rack required)
• Single Channel
• Ultra High-Speed Input Stage
• Edcor Output Transformer
• 67dB Gain
• Phantom Power
• Phase Switch
• 13dBu Pad
• Hi-Z Input

Mic Section

• Max Microphone Input Level: +1dBu
• Input Impedance: 6000Ω
• Pad: 13dBu
• Gain (no pad): +16dB to +67dB
• Equivalent Input Noise (noise floor): -108dBu
• THD+N (@ +4dBu output):
  • .0046% @ +12dBu Gain
  • .0064% @ +24dBu Gain
  • .012% @ +32dBu Gain
  • .028% @ +40dBu Gain
  • .085% @ +50dBu Gain
  • .3% @ +62dBu Gain
• Bandwidth (1kHz, 600Ω unbalanced source, unweighted): 10Hz to 30kHz

D.I. Section

• Max D.I. Input Level: +18dBu
• Input Impedance Balanced: 2.2MΩ
• Input Impedance Unbalanced: 1.1MΩ
• Pad: 13dBu
• Gain: +16dB to +67dB
• Equivalent Input Noise (noise floor): -82dB
• THD+N (@ +4dBu output):
  • .007% @ +12dBu
  • .11% @ +40dBu
• Bandwidth (1kHz, 600Ω unbalanced source, unweighted): 10Hz to 30kHz

Output Section

• Max Output Level: +28dBu
• Output Impedance: 600Ω

Power Supply

• +/- 15v from 500 series rack

Product Dimensions

• 1.5” x 6.5” x 5.25”

Product Weight

• .8 lbs

Shipping Dimensions

• 13” x 13” x 5”

Shipping Weight

• 3 lbs

Download the Auteur MKII 500 Mic Pre Manual

“I just got an Auteur. At first, to my ears, I thought it sounded just OK. I was a little underwhelmed to be honest. Perhaps I had high hopes. But after a while, when I started mixing the sounds recorded through the Auteur I could see how excellent it is. I run vocals through it. I run synths through it. And everything is just elegantly flattened out a little bit, with just a hint of personality. But the magic comes afterwards, when I start mixing I realize how much has been done to the sound. It’s a delight to mix the tracks. It’s like magic. Ace stuff!‘”

– CUCKOO

“I ran a blind test of your Auteur versus SSL AWS 900+ channel mic pre’s and Focusrite ISA 220. The results are amazing: (Wider frequency and dynamic range, less artifacts and more vivid sound, more transparency at transients). I checked the acoustic guitar and vocals and showed the recorded signals to three other musicians; (I recorded with high-end LSC Van Den Hul cables to Pro Tools via Prism sound ADA-8XR at 96 kHz, AKG C414 mic).
I would like to thank all your team for this preamp. I am going to use it extensively in my production and I am saving for 003 mod for my home setup…”

– Ilya S. Mazayev

“…I did a demo session with a local band featuring a female vocalist in the style of Evanescence, so I needed that big rock sound to fit the session. I ran a well-known ‘902’ kick mic into the Auteur, placing the mic just on the edge of the port hole of the kick head, and after one mic placement adjustment – VOILA! I had a superb kick sound that needed no EQ or compression. The mix with the bass guitar was just freakin’ sweet! I have NEVER gotten this clarity, depth, and a blend with kick & bass guitar tracks that were so easy to mix together, and I have been using my 002 for 4 years before my modification…

I also utilized an Apex 205 that I had modified by Michael Joly of Oktavamod, which I had taken advantage of recently with the OktavaMod / Auteur special. I experimented with the Auteur since I was recording a female vocalist with a rich, alto voice. I ran the 205 through the Auteur with no compression or EQ prior to track, opting to use virtual compressors and EQ after tracking. Again, the results were fabulous! With slight compression and EQ post-tracking, I had awesome vocal tracks rivaling anything I hear on the radio….

As an audio junkie, small studio owner, and all around music lover, I just wanted to pass along my sentiments and continued impressions of the BLA gear and quality… Thanks for superb products and modifications!“

– Chuck Hutcheson, Doghouse Studios, McRae, GA

“Just started our shake down of our rebuilt studio [using] 002 Signature mod and Auteurs; so far I can honestly say that I have definition and clarity that I did not have before. The Auteur preamps are amazing on drums and I can say that UA LA 610 is not as good at capturing the presence of the drums as the Auteur. Great job guys.“

– Jon Davis, Argon Sound Production , Odenville, AL

“Black Lion audio rocks! I own the Signature Series 002R and an Auteur and they are stellar. I have my sights set on the PM8 Summing box and the 192 or 96 when I move up to HD. These guys in Chicago make amazing stuff and their customer service is second to none!“

– Jeremy Johnson

“I have an Auteur and I love it! It’s my go-to mic pre for everything I do. Especially on my drums.“

– Michael Watson

“All I can say is WOW!!! Everything has come to life – my rig Never sounded this good… punch, warmth, sonic detail….. You guys nailed it – and I am stoked!!! Thanks so much!“

– Dave Williams, Audio Engineer, Creative Technology Group, Los Angeles, CA

“…just thought I’d let you all know that I got an Auteur… This thing is KILLER!!! I currently own pre’s by dbx, ART and Universal Audio. This is the best sounding pre on drums… kick and snare are nice and clear and this thing is fast with a big round bottom end. Thanks and I will be getting another or two soon!!!“

– Benjy Johnson, Earthtones Recording, Greensboro, NC

“…just thought I’d let you all know that I got an Auteur… This thing is KILLER!!! I currently own pre’s by dbx, ART and Universal Audio. This is the best sounding pre on drums… kick and snare are nice and clear and this thing is fast with a big round bottom end. Thanks and I will be getting another or two soon!!!“

– Benjy Johnson, Earthtones Recording, Greensboro, NC

“I just wanted to drop you a line to say thanks for making the Auteur Pre – I LOVE IT! We use it to record acoustic and electric guitars for www.guitarfixation.com… I find that most guitar review videos sound like total crap, but the Auteur has really made the sound of these videos awesome.“

– Paul Zoskey

“…then I recorded an electric with a Blackheart Little Giant mod amp with an sm57 in the Auteur and a Kel HM-2D in BA12a and I can’t believe the tone I’m getting… amazing!“

– Joan Velez, Chicago, IL

“…Been very busy over here. I’m loving the Auteur… I’m presently mixing 3 shows for composer Snuffy Walden: ‘Hawthorne” and “Friday Night Lights” (both on TNT), and a new show just about to air, ‘Men of a Certain Age’ (on NBC).“

– George Landress, Mixer/Engineer/Producer, (No Doubt, Jon B., Chaka Khan, Jane’s Addiction, The Killers)

“Now everything I record goes through the Auteur and the Sparrow… Everything sounds better through [them]. I have also re-tracked everything in my Bauhaus Remix through the Auteur and the Sparrow.“

– John Van Eaton, Mother of Sorrows Studio, Newport, KY (Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Bauhaus, Love & Rockets, Linkin Park, KMFDM)

“I just wanted to let you know that this pre is amazing! I used the Auteur on the project I am currently working on (the debut album of the Black Veil Brides, ‘We Stitch These Wounds’…). From what I have experienced your products are top notch and I am more than happy to spread the word! Keep up the good work!“

– G. Preston Boebel, Clear Lake Audio, Hollywood, CA

“I had you guys do the Sig Mod to my 002 and was surprised. I do not agree with all of the comments about how great is. I disagree in that I think they did not say enough good about them!! I am LOVING this stuff! Have the Sig Mod and 4 Auteurs. Sick!!… I use the same- TLM49/160A/Auteur into 002 for vocals and it’s incredible! The presence really took me by surprise. So clear and crisp and right there in my face! Did my first real recording and mixing in almost 4 years. A guy I have worked with for a long time said it was probably the best sounding thing I’ve ever recorded! I wasn’t sure what to say about that but it really is. Now if I could go back in time and re-record all of the great bands I worked with in the past!!… Nobody would ever believe I recorded it and mixed it where I did! Nobody! Thanks for the time, thanks for the incredible work and the great gear.“

– Alan Read, Technical Director, Gateway Baptist Church, Irmo, SC

“I used the Auteur for the first time last night and was totally blown away. We used it for drum overheads, guitar, and bass and everything sounded fantastic. One of the best purchases made for my project studio, without question!“

– Chris Grigg, (of the band “Woe”)

“When recently I needed to record Peggy Baldwin, Cellist extraordinaire (ELO, George Harrison, Stevie Wonder), I turned to my Auteur stereo Mic Pre-Amp. Utilizing an MS recording set up, the results were nothing less than stunning. Black Lion Audio delivers! Thanks for everything guys!“

– George Landress, Mixer/Engineer/Producer (No Doubt, Jon B., Chaka Khan, Jane’s Addiction, The Killers)

“Hey guys, my band, Swirl 360, got a song [“Breathe”] reviewed in Recording Magazine. It mentions my mod. Check it out…“

– Kenny Scott, Engineer/Songwriter, 18 Below Entertainment, Florida (Go to the following link for access to the review: www.recordingmag.com)

“I’ve gotta tell you, I’m really impressed with your Autuer Preamp… I bought the Auteur primarily to add a couple channels for drums. I finally got around to trying the Auteur out [and] get to know it in order to get ready to track drums for my latest project. I used it on acoustic guitar, vocals and guitar… I was really impressed w/ what I heard on each source, surpassing my expectations. I will be using the Auteur on more than drums now! Really nice, shimmering, acoustic sound through a Distressor.“

– David A. Turner V

“I [own] an Auteur and it’s fantastic! It brought life to some inexpensive mics I own and made them more desirable to record with! You guys do amazing work!“

– Mark A. Brown

“Hey guys just wanted to give you a shout out and say I’m doing the theater mix for a Fathom Events documentary (“Sons of The Fallen”) being shown in over 1700 movie theaters nation-wide this upcoming Tuesday night…

I’m using 2 of the PM8 summing mixers for the tracks from Pro Tools 8 and I’m loving the width, depth and awesome separation! I also landed two songs on the soundtrack that were also mixed through your PM8s as well as the Auteur pres!“

– Brad Nyght, Producer/Composer/Drummer, The Bakery Studios, Dallas, TX

“It sounds like a piece of old school analog heaven… The sound is very rich and up front…

The Auteur Preamp is definitely a winner in the intended category as an affordable mic preamp with unsurpassed quality in its class… [It] is a winner. This preamp is a throwback to the days when indie boutique outboard gear builders ruled.“

– Corry Banks, Bboy Tech Report (Read the Auteur review online at bboytechreport.com)

“When I found out Pro-Pain wanted to do a record with me, I knew I needed to upgrade… so I did some research and found Black Lion Audio. I felt like they really stood behind the quality of their products as did their customers, so I ordered the Auteur mic preamp and got a BLA Profire 2626 mod. I used the preamp for overheads, guitars, & bass with stunning results… when I set up the sm7b through the Auteur for vocals, we instantly knew it was the right choice.“

– Corey Williams, Sound Lounge Recordings