Orange Acoustic Pre Stereo Valve Preamp Active DI Overview
The Orange Acoustic Pre is the world’s first stereo valve acoustic preamp/active DI, offering supreme clarity and unrivalled performance for uncompromising performers. Engineered for both stage and studio use this valve design affords acoustic players the same warmth, natural compression and rich harmonics previously only available to electric guitarists and hi-fi audiophiles.
The preamp features two channels, which can be used independently or blended together – perfect for the modern player who combines multiple sound sources. Channel A is a unique valve channel for active and passive instruments. The valve circuitry operates in a totally different way to most electric guitar amplifiers and has been designed to amplify a much wider frequency range in order to capture every subtle nuance of acoustic instruments. The effect of the valve can be fine-tuned with the preamp’s ‘Heat’ control which adjusts the negative feedback applied to the valve. Backing off the Heat offers a warmer attack for flatpickers, whilst turning it up adds more presence and sparkle for fingerstyle players.
The solid state Channel B has a different, slightly softer character with outstanding clarity. This channel has inputs for both a microphone or an instrument, and features switchable 48V phantom power.
Each channel has a three-band EQ with a semi-parametric mid control, plus switches to correct phasing issues on stage and between dual-source pickups and feedback. The tone shaping options have been voiced to perfectly control the natural body and ‘air’ of acoustic instruments. The preamp also features independent effects loops for each channel. The preamp also features an onboard stereo reverb, filling the soundstage with a delightfully organic ambience.
Handmade in the UK the Orange Acoustic Pre has already been a hit with major artists. Prototypes have already gone straight into the touring rigs of Stevie Wonder for use with his Harpejji and fingerstyle jazz guitarist Martin Taylor.
- Channel A
- -Gain Input level to Channel A
- -Heat Varies valve gain in upper frequencies adding harmonics and compression
- -Bass Low shelf +/-12 dB below 680 hZ
- -Treble High shelf +15 dB Above 680 hZ
- -Mid .+/-18dB @ frequency selected by Freq control
- -Freq Selects centre frequency for Mid control (180Hz – 1.8kHz)
- Channel B
- -Gain Input level to Channel B
- -Bass Low shelf +/-12 dB below 680 hZ
- -Treble High shelf +15 dB Above 680 hZ
- -Mid .+/-18dB @ frequency selected by Freq control
- -Freq Selects centre frequency for Mid control (180Hz – 1.8kHz)
- Master
- -Reverb Controls the level of the on-board digital reverb
- -Line Volume Controls the output level of the unbalanced mono line output
- -Main Volume Controls the output level of the balanced XLR outputs
- Switches
- -+48V On Activates 48V phantom power on Channel B’s XLR input
- -Phase Inv A Inverts the phase of Channel A
- -Phase Inv B Inverts the phase of Channel B
- -Mute Mutes both channels at the FX Loop send (Delay tails and loop pedals will still be audible)
- -Gnd Lift A Lifts the ground of Channel A’s output XLR
- -Gnd Lift B Lifts the ground of Channel B’s output XLR
- Connections
- -Input A 1/4″ Jack input to Channel A
- -Input B 1/4″ Jack and XLR inputs to Channel B (not to be used simultaneously)
- -Mute Footswitch Allows the mute function to be controlled by a latching footswitch (such as the FS-1)
- -FX Loop Send A Connects Channel A to the input of an effects unit
- -FX Loop Return A Connects the output of an effects unit to Channel A output
- -FX Loop Send B Connects Channel B to the input of an effects unit
- -FX Loop Return B Connects the output of an effects unit to Channel B output
- -Line output Mixes both channels for a mono unbalanced 1/4″ output Jack
- -Main Output A Individual balanced XLR output for Channel A
- -Main Output B Individual balanced XLR output for Channel B
- -12V DC 2.1mm DC Jack for connecting the supplied 12VDC centre negative power supply