Slate Pro Audio Fox Preamp

Short Description:

Dual channel quad tone microphone preamplifier. In Used, Excellent condition

What We Think:

Finding a single microphone preamp that excels at every application can be a challenge—clean, transparent preamps are fantastic for acoustic detail, while vintage transformer-balanced preamps inject essential weight and mojo into vocals and drums. The Slate Pro Audio FOX solves this dilemma by housing four completely independent, professional preamp topologies inside a single 2-channel 1U rack unit.

Designed by Steven Slate and his engineering team, the FOX is essentially two distinct stereo preamps in one box. Each of its two channels features two discrete signal paths: a "Modern" circuit that delivers pristine, ultra-clean, high-headroom gain (ideal for classical, acoustic guitars, and intricate percussion), and a "Vintage" circuit inspired by classic transformer-balanced British console designs that adds rich harmonic saturation, punchy lows, and smooth top-end roll-off.

What makes the FOX an indispensable studio chameleon is its Combination Mode. On each channel, you can independently pair the Vintage input transformer stage with the Modern output driver, or run the Modern input stage into the Vintage output transformer. This gives you four distinct sonic flavors per channel—ranging from squeaky-clean wire-with-gain to thick, highly saturated analog mojo—all accessible at the flip of a front-panel switch.

Manufacturer Description:

Neve, the API, or the Millennia? Nope. Fox.

Covering the range from classic “British Class A-style” vintage tone to ultra-clean modern sparkle, the Slate Pro Audio Fox dual-channel microphone preamplifier is one of the most versatile mic pres available. The way the Fox shapes tone is brilliant. There are two completely independent microphone preamplifier circuits in each of the Fox’s channels. The Vintage circuit recreates the sound of the legendary 1073-style preamp—warm, fat, and full of lush harmonics. Conversely, the Modern setting gives you a sparkling clean sound to capture acoustic instruments in picture-perfect detail. What’s more, the Fox features two Combo modes, which combine the input and the output sections of both circuits, giving you a pair of completely unique preamp sounds.

To highlight: The Fox dual-channel microphone preamplifier offers four distinct microphone preamplifier sounds in each channel, and two independent preamp circuits in each channel; the Classic circuit provides 1073-style sound; the Modern circuit provides ultra-clear sound; the Combo modes combine the input and output sections of each preamp circuit—expressiveness which perhaps you've come to expect from 100% boutique analog, manufactured in the USA by Studio Electronics.

"I would always get calls from friends who asked me what kind of preamp they should get. I told them the best thing to do is get a few different preamps so that they can have several flavors. The FOX offer these flavors all in one rack space." - Steven Slate

Once again the swirling Davey Suicide designed front panel embossing adds verve.

Key Features

• Dual Channel Mic Preamp
• Instrument Inputs, Phase, Phantom, Pad
• Four boutique circuit paths in each channel:
• 1. Vintage: 1073 Class A, Transformer In/Out
• 2. Modern: Ultra High Resolution, Transformer-less
• 3. Vintage Combo: Modern Input > Vintage Output
• 4. Modern Combo: Vintage Input > Modern Output