The story of one of the finest classical mic preamps of all time has been told many times, and Sonic Dune makes its mark by recreating classical sound as you have never experienced before.
1Q73 is probably the first reproduction of the 1073 to use a regulator based on vintage console power supplies. Hear the clear sonic difference by switching to a modern monolithic regulator design. Switching between PSU regulators is not something you see everyday.
Choose between the original 2N3055 and the more modern, cleaner sounding TIP41C. The subtle differences are audible in terms of the TIP41C providing a cleaner 300Hz area and a more relaxed sound, which can be quite useful in a variety of recording tasks.
The input and output transformers are made by the same company that made input transformers for the vintage units. Furthermore, the heart of the 1Q73 contains the famous B183 card, like the vintage original.
The low and high end shelf section of the 1073 is the ultimate sweetener, containing both amps from the original B284 card. The high shelf is fixed at 12 kHZ, and for low frequencies, you can choose between 60 Hz and 110 Hz.
Some 1073 models came with an added 12k resistor on the secondary winding of the input transformer. It automatically reflects the smallest changes in the input impedance, and thus, in the sound itself. The sound is more focused, an emphasis placed on the mid-range, and with a noticeably softened high end of the sound spectrum.
The D.I. input splits into two separate SE JFET buffers with a CCS bias. The output of the first buffer is forwarded to the D.I. output TRS connector, and further on into a guitar or bass guitar amp. The second buffer is used as an impedance converter for the input transformer. It allows the preamp to be used with any instrument with a pickup, synths, etc. An abundance of harmonics and life will be added to the sound of your favorite instruments. Do not expect a clean and transparent sound – just some serious mojo.
Its purpose is to allow line signals to plug directly into the mic preamp's input transformer. We added a nifty feature – a separate XLR output connector (LM output), which you can use as an independent line to the mic input “impedance converter”. If you want to send a DAW channel for color through an old tube mic preamp, you won't need two separate devices.
No cumbersome clicking between gain stages, thanks to an attenuator with an “off” position.
1200 ohms is probably more desirable, but 300 ohms will increase your gain by a few more dB, and change the sound in a more aggressive manner.
The finest electrolytic capacitors increase sonic's and the low end aura of the sound.
The story of one of the finest classical mic preamps of all time has been told many times, and Sonic Dune makes its mark by recreating classical sound as you have never experienced before.
low and high 'Q' with, selectable frequencies of 0.36kHz, 0.7kHz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, 4.8kHz, 7.2kHz and 10kHz
The input and output transformers are made by the same company that made input transformers for the vintage units. Furthermore, the heart of the 1Q73 contains the famous B183 card, like the vintage original.
selective frequency shelving at 10,12kHz,16,19Khz
Some 1073 models came with an added 12k resistor on the secondary winding of the input transformer. It automatically reflects the smallest changes in the input impedance, and thus, in the sound itself. The sound is more focused, an emphasis placed on the mid-range, and with a noticeably softened high end of the sound spectrum.
The D.I. input splits into two separate SE JFET buffers with a CCS bias. The output of the first buffer is forwarded to the D.I. output TRS connector, and further on into a guitar or bass guitar amp. The second buffer is used as an impedance converter for the input transformer. It allows the preamp to be used with any instrument with a pickup, synths, etc. An abundance of harmonics and life will be added to the sound of your favorite instruments. Do not expect a clean and transparent sound – just some serious mojo.
Its purpose is to allow line signals to plug directly into the mic preamp's input transformer. We added a nifty feature – a separate XLR output connector (LM output), which you can use as an independent line to the mic input “impedance converter”. If you want to send a DAW channel for color through an old tube mic preamp, you won't need two separate devices.
No cumbersome clicking between gain stages, thanks to an attenuator with an “off” position.
1200 ohms is probably more desirable, but 300 ohms will increase your gain by a few more dB, and change the sound in a more aggressive manner.
with selectable frequencies of 35Hz, 60Hz, 110Hz & 220Hz
18dB per octave slope, switchable 45Hz, 70Hz, 160Hz & 360Hz
After months of tinkering, fine tuning, testing, and some additional tinkering, we are finally proud to present the second addition to the Sonic Dune roster – the Q4-73! The Q4-73 is the big brother to our 1Q73. It comes with 3 switchable EQ bands (+-16dB cut and boost), D.I. and a Line to Mic impedance Read more…
Read more
Our premiere product, the 1Q73 preamp, continues to make its rounds among the influencers and opinion makers in the music industry. This time, it has caught the eye of Sound on Sound, the venerable British publication dedicated to all things music technology. In the “pros and cons” section of his review of our preamp, Sound Read more…
Read more
Forgive us if we sound like we’re gloating, but when your product gets mentioned in the longest-established and best selling European magazine dedicated to guitars and guitar players, well, you’re kinda justified in letting it go to your head for a brief while. The June 2017 issue of the Guitarist magazine brings us the semi-regular Read more…
Read moreThe Sonic Dune team consists of seasoned musicians, composers, engineers, and electronics professionals. Driven by the love for music, we applied decades of experience to create professional audio outboard gear that captures the perfect sounds which shaped music history, combined with functionality and creative flow with the musician and engineer in mind.
Our goal is to create affordable and feature-packed high-end tools, meeting the highest standards of sonic excellence.
Our devices were born from real life situations and the desire to take the creative process and sound quality and functionality to the next level, while simplifying complicated technical tasks, making them as user-friendly as possible. Sonic Dune aims to make its mark on classical design, by introducing a new chapter with the gear that played an integral part in music recording history. We develop unique tools, without limitations, be it: software, hardware, replicas or original design equipment.
Pages and pages have been written about the history of classic recording, but Sonic Dune sheds new light on a rich musical heritage, and gives you the Classic Sound Untold.
The CEO of a successful gaming company, Mirko Topalski has taken a somewhat strange road towards holding his current role.
Sound designer by education, he has spent more than two decades pursuing music as his passion, as a composer, multi-instrumentalist, professional studio drummer and performer.
Sonic Dune is his audiophile dream come true, a chance to push the sonic possibilities to new heights.
The mastermind behind all Sonic Dune products, Saša Ristić is an audio savant and a dedicated innovator.
Starting from a tiny workshop in a small town in Serbia, he has employed all his skills and talents for the purpose of creating high end devices with a human touch, tools that give more, perform better, and truly capture the essence of a fulfilling audio experience.
I found a truer, more accurate representation of all signals fed to the 1Q73. Audio was clearer, firmer and less grainy. This is a description I would normally be slightly wary of, since this could mean thin and uninteresting. However, the 1Q73 has a whole other take. The sound is very muscular and bold, whilst the texture is most definitely analogue and full bodied. Vocal mics sounded true to the mic. I plugged my jazz bass in direct with both options buttons engaged and got my best bass sound to date!
The EQ seems to offer subtle, yet well judged control in just the right regions for most signals. I managed to tame vocals sounds from many different mics and singers.
The implementation of switching of the PSU and transistor options is a wonderful method to personalize sounds further than is possible with a stock 1073...
Overall, I am utilizing this mic pre daily for everything from vocals to horns, drums to guitars. Can't wait to try them on rooms, summing and loads more. Congratulations on the successful design and build of these excellent preamps!
Really liking the Eq on these new Sonic Dune 1q73s, very smooth! The input drive works really well to thicken vocals... loving them.
I've been creating my studio setup for years, and I believe that I have some very high quality gear at my disposal. My setup serves me excellent in the type of production that I do, but apparently, there is always room for surprises. I've loved the Sonic Dune 1Q73 from the moment I first used it, and it has found its purpose in my studio from day one. I believe I will be relying on it very often.
Once again i am surprised by the talent of some friends of mine. They created something really cool! After the second test in combination with Neumann M149 Tube, in voice over recording session, I was deeply impressed. The sound was present, warm, clear - with a scent of neve dirt - and, compared to Tube-Tech MP 1A , massive.
Soon there will be more feedback after the next testings. I'm looking forward to that!
The mic preamp certainly added some lovely dimension and warmth to the sound
Combining a close recreation of the original Neve 1073’s sound with other vintage and more modern-sounding voicing options, the 1Q73 is an extremely impressive and rather special preamp.
Most European Countries, Thomann,
UK, SXPro (distributor),
Germany, Digital Audio Service,
Germany, KMR Audio Germany,
Germany, Digital Audionetworx,
Spain, Mastering Mansion Madrid, (distributor),
France, Funky Junk Paris,
The Netherlands, Helios,
Denmark, Cyber Farm,
Sweden, Golden Age Pro Audio,
Italy, Digilandsrl, (distributor),
Italy, Music Delivery,
Poland, Audiotech, (distributor),
New Dealer Inquiries (USA & Canada):
MusicMax Distribution
614.732.0777
sales@musicmaxdistribution.com
Dealers:
USA, Vintage King,
USA, Westlake Pro,
USA, Soundpure,
USA, Zenpro Audio,
USA, Front End Audio,
USA, Sweetwater
Japan, Umbrella Company,
China, hh-audio (distributor),
Indonesia, Chandracom.
Address: Partizanska 18, Novi Sad, Serbia