The API 512c is a mic / line / instrument preamp designed to provide a low noise, unusually good sounding front end for all types of audio systems. Sonically, it offers the distinct API sound at an extremely affordable price. Offering low noise (-129 EIN) and 65 dB of gain, the 512c includes phantom power, and switchable polarity, -20 dB pad and Mic or Instrument/Line selector. Front panel XLR and 1/4 inch connectors combined with rear panel mic access allows for additional flexibility when installed into an API lunchbox®, API's 10 position 500V vertical rack, or an API console.
The API 512c remains faithful to the circuit designs of API's founder, Saul Walker. Fully featured and still hand assembled, the 512c carefully preserves the original sound character that made it so much a part of the early days of recording. Offering high headroom and a wide variety of inputs and input access points, it is equally at home in the commercial recording studio as it is in the home project studio.
The 512c Mic/Line Preamp makes use of the 2520 op-amp and therefore exhibits the reliability, long life, and uniformity which are characteristic of all API products.
...Tech Cl1b Heritage HA-609a Chandler Germanium Compressor UBK Fatso Summing Mix690 Antelope Satori Patchbay Flock 64 (x2) EQ Chandler Curve Bender Pulse Techniques EQP IA3 (pultec) Rupert Neve 5032 Bettermaker Mastering EQ Pres BAE 1023 API 512 TG2 500 Coil 286S (upcoming) DI Zod DI ID Audioscape Classic DI FX Thermionic Culture Vulture Anamod ATS-1 Bricasti M7 Elysia Karacter 500 LTL Silver Bullet Roland Dimension D UAD Octo Mics Chandler Redd Royer 121 Oktava m012 Shure sm7b Manley Cardiod Ref Neumann KM182 Shure sm57 Earthworks SR25 DPA 4006TL Monitoring Amphion Two25 + Flexbase25 Reftones Trinnov ST2 PRO Antelope...
...like "best bang for the buck" dept.. It all started this black friday when I managed to score an API 512c 500 series module 55% off full retail price! All this time I've been hesitant to get into the 500 game, but always wanted an API pre so now I have no choice...
Back in 2015, I asked here what is a good preamp for recording blues guitar, and was told one with cigarette burns and beer rings. I don't remember who said that but it was probably gravy.