Warm Audio revives Sound Techniques console preamp

A preamp circuit behind recordings made at some of Britain's best-known studios has returned in the Sound Techniques Jude, developed with American microphone manufacturer Warm Audio from Geoff Frost's original A-Range console schematics. Available as the single-channel Jude-MP and dual-channel Jude-MP2, the preamps recreate the original circuit topology using hand-wired PCB layouts, Wima and Nichicon audio-grade capacitors, carbon resistors, custom-spec CineMag USA transformers and dual-discrete 3035 Class-A amplifiers.

Central to both models is Frost's 9-position Z-Match impedance circuit. Rather than offering a small selection of fixed input impedances, the 8-lead design changes the interaction between the connected microphone and the preamp's front end. This reportedly allows engineers to alter characteristics including transient response, frequency balance and saturation when using ribbon, condenser and dynamic microphones.

The circuit originates from Sound Techniques' A-Range consoles, which were installed at studios including Trident and De Lane Lea and used on recordings by artists including The Beatles, David Bowie, Elton Johnand Queen. The Jude name references The Beatles' Hey Jude, which was recorded using a Sound Techniques console.