Behringer 1273 Legendary 2-Channel Microphone Preamplifier with 3-Band Equalizers and Custom-Built Midas Transformers

Here's what Behringer says:

Every so often an iconic piece of hardware takes the music industry by storm and transforms into a beloved fixture in studios worldwide. The 1073 was one such piece of gear. A mic preamp with a unique voice and rich sound, it became famous for shaping the sounds of many music generations, from the grit of ‘70s rock and roll, to the polished pop of the ‘80s. It was a staple in renowned studios like Abbey Road, Sound City, and Capitol Studios and influenced iconic tracks like Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks” as well as The Who’s “Who’s Next.”

Today, we pay homage to that iconic studio cornerstone with the Behringer 1273, a two-channel microphone preamplifier, with built in EQ. The 1273 is more than just a remake. Developed with one of the original engineers, their valuable knowledge and experience ensures that the 1273 not only remains faithful to the original but is able to meet the demands of modern production.

 Versatile Operation

The 1273 is built around a Class A discrete circuit which ensures the highest signal integrity with minimal coloration. Each input and output stage is equipped with a high-quality, custom-built Midas transformer that’s great for maintaining signal clarity and integrity. The 1273 also has versatile gain controls for each channel for various input types such as mic, line and instrument, providing comprehensive control and flexibility for different recording scenarios. And if you’re switching between different mics like a dynamic to a ribbon, pressing the tone switch adjusts the transformer impedance for whatever mic is in use. Great for when your using vintage microphones.

The First Steps

The 1273 includes an electronically controlled, resistor-stepped rotary gain switch that offers up to 80 dB of gain adjustment. This allows you to precisely set optimal input levels with the least amount of noise and is also great for recalling your settings consistently for every mix scenario.

Specifications

Microphone inputs

• Type: 2 x XLR, transformer balanced front, 2 x XLR, transformer balanced rear
• Impedance: 300 Ω / 1200 Ω, balanced
• input level: +19 dBu
• Gain: -20 to 80 dB
• Mic EIN @ 80 dB gain, 22 Hz to 22 kHz: -125 dBu Unweighted
• CMRR @ 60 dB gain: > 90 dB

Line inputs

• Type: 2 x 1/4" TRS in combi socket, transformer balanced front, 2 x 1/4" TRS, transformer balanced rear
• Impedance: 10 kΩ, balanced
• input level: +30 dBu (attenuated -34 dB)
• Gain: -20 to 80 dB
• CMRR @ 0 dB gain: > 80 dB

Instrument inputs

• Type: 2 x 1/4" TRS, front, hi-Z via transformer
• Impedance: 600 kΩ, unbalanced
• input level: +30 dBu (attenuated -20 dB)
• Gain: -20 to 80 dB
• Insert return: 2 x 1/4" TS

Audio outputs

• Type: 2 x XLR, 1/4" TRS, transformer balanced
• Impedance: < 80 Ω balanced
• output level:+28 dBu
• Insert send: 2 x 1/4" TS

System specifications

• Frequency response (microphone): 20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±0.5 dB
• Frequency response (line and instrument): 20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±1 dB
• Distortion (THD+N): <0.01% @ 1 kHz, +4 dBu // <0.07% 50 Hz - 20 kHz, +4 dBu
• Noise: < -83 dBu (20 Hz - 20 kHz unweighted)
• Dynamic range: > 102 dB typical (20 Hz to 20 kHz unweighted)
• Circuit: Class-A amplifiers, inductor based EQ

EQ Section

• Hi pass filter: 50 / 80 / 160 / 300 Hz (18 dB/octave)
• Low-band frequency range: 35 / 60 / 110 / 220 Hz
• Boost / cut: ±15 dB
• Mid-band frequency range: 360 / 700 / 1600 / 3200 / 4800 / 7200 Hz
• Boost / cut: ±15 dB
• High-band frequency range: 10 / 12 / 16 kHz
• Boost / cut: ±15 dB

Buttons

• 2 x 48 V phantom power
• 2 x Polarity invert
• 2 x Tone
• 2 x Line
• 2 x Insert
• 2 x Inst
• 2 x EQ in

Controls

• 2 x Gain - 20 to 80 dB
• 2 x Low ±15 dB, off to 220 Hz
• 2 x Mid ±15 dB, off to 7.2 kHz
• 2 x High ±15 dB, off to 16 kHz
• 2 x Hi pass, off, 50 Hz, 80 Hz, 160 Hz, 300 Hz
• 2 x Output level, zero (off) to 0 dB