DISCONTINUED
Effective 08/01/2020, the LaChapell 500CS and 500DT are discontinued. We will continue to support both models throughout the full warranty period but are no longer accepting orders as of 08/01/2020.

500DT DUAL TOPOLOGY PREAMP

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500 Series Tube and Solid State Mic Preamp

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STREET PRICE: $649.00

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The LaChapell 500DT dual topology preamp is a 500 series microphone preamp that features two separate topologies or amplification paths for unprecedented versatility and value for project studios, home studios, or professional recording studios.

The 500DT is both a tube mic preamp and a solid state preamp in one 500 series module. When the blend knob is fully to the tube preamp side, the signal will pass through a custom transformer before being amplified by a TrueTube™ powered 12AX7 vacuum tube. TrueTube is LaChapell Audio’s proprietary method of supplying a full 250V to the vacuum tube so you get loads of vintage clean tube gain (or drive it a bit harder to get some grit and bite).

When the blend knob is turned fully to the opamp side, the signal passes directly to a solid state microphone preamplifier. This input is transformerless and will provide clean gain with exceptionally low noise. Placing the blend control anywhere between the two extremes will “blend” the two topologies for a near infinite variety of tonal options.

500DT Dual Topology 500 Series Tube And Solid State Mic Preamp - Front

500DT PRODUCT FEATURES

VACUUM TUBE AND SOLID STATE PREAMP
Two mic preamps in one. With both a Truetube™ powered full sized 12AX7 vacuum tube preamp and a solid state preamp, the 500DT Dual Topology preamp is exceptionally versatile. Blend between the tube and solid state sides to mix the two sounds.
500 SERIES MIC PREAMP
An extremely versatile tube and solid state mic preamp in the 500 series format based on the legendary 583S priced for project studios, home studios, and value conscious professional recording studios.
TRUETUBE™ 250V POWER
TrueTube™ technology supplies both the plate and filament of the 12AX7 vacuum tube with the proper voltages they need to access the full characteristics of the tube. Other tube preamp designs cannot supply the needed 250V and don’t have the headroom or harmonics that characterize that classic tube sound.
FRONT PANEL HI-Z INPUT
The front panel Hi-Z input allows the 500DT to be used as an instrument preamplifier. When a 1/4″ jack is inserted into the Hi-Z input, the 500DT switches into instrument mode, bypassing the input transformer so the instrument accesses the preamp directly.
DUAL GAIN KNOBS
The Dual Drive knobs on the LaChapell 500DT provide an incredible array of tonal options. Increasing the input gain will drive the input stage harder, resulting in more tube harmonics when using the tube preamp side of the dual topology (and even some distortion if thats what you’re after). An emphasis on the output knob cleans up the signal for high headroom and clean tones.
BLEND KNOB
The blend knob lets you go full vacuum tube, or full solid state. Get that rich harmonic warmth that only a properly powered tube can provide, or pristine cleans from the solid state side. Or… blend the two for the ultimate in versatility for your project studio, home or professional studio.

500DT PRODUCT SPECS

Tube Path
THD+N	0.08%
Frequency Response	20 Hz to 20 kHz
Maximum Output	12 dBu
Typical EIN	121
Solid State Path
THD+N	0.01%
Frequency Response	20 Hz to 46 kHz
Maximum Output	28 dBu
Typical EIN	129
Internal Gain	67 dBu
Input Impedance	1.5 KΩ Mic / 10 KΩ Hi-Z
TRANSFORMER	CUSTOM INPUT TRANSFORMER
Tube Type	12AX7 (ECC83)

500DT USE EXAMPLES

Press the button to see how you might use the LaChapell Audio 500DT Dual Topology preamp in the studio.

500DT USER GUIDE AND DOWNLOADS

500DT USER GUIDE

500DT SPECIFICATION SHEET

500DT REVIEWS

RECORING MAGAZINE 500CS AND 500DT REVIEW

TAPEOP 500DT REVIEW

LaChapell Audio recording studio and live sound gear - FAQs

	KICK DRUM On Kick, try leaning on the OPAMP path so that the attack of the beater comes through. Blend in some of the TUBE path to get more weight and body with the INPUT GAIN lower than the OUTPUT GAIN.		SNARE DRUMS On snare drums, the OPAMP path will provide fast transients where the TUBE path will provide natural compression and a bit slower transients. To let some transients through, with some natural compression, try setting the BLEND at about 30%.
	DRUM OVERHEADS Drum overheads need clarity so try the BLEND at around 70-80%, the INPUT GAIN around 20-30 and the OUTPUT GAIN making up the rest of the needed amplification.		VOCALS On vocals, try using the TUBE path for an intimate vocal, balance the INPUT GAIN and OUTPUT GAIN to accentuate a proximity effect on a condenser mic.
	AGGRESSIVE VOCALS For an aggressive vocal, try moving the INPUT GAIN to the 50-60 range, set the OUTPUT GAIN so that it doesn’t clip the converters and then play with the BLEND in the 30%-60% range.		POWERFUL VOCALS For a gorgeous and soaring vocal, lean on the OUTPUT GAIN more, with the BLEND closer to the OPAMP path.
	BASS GUITAR On bass guitar, run the INPUT GAIN at around 50-55, setting the level to your DAW with the OUTPUT GAIN. With the blend at 60% the bass will growl courtesy of the tube path yet have clarity and articulation from the OPAMP path.		ELECTRIC GUITAR Try using the 500DT as the front end to a guitar modeler. With the INPUT GAIN up, you can add some true tube distortion to your tracks.
	ELECTRIC GUITAR 2 With the INPUT GAIN lower and the OUTPUT GAIN up, the TUBE path adds some life to software modelers, while the OPAMP path adds some bite. Blend between them for your perfect tone.

500DT DUAL TOPOLOGY PREAMP

500DT PRODUCT FEATURES

VACUUM TUBE AND SOLID STATE PREAMP

500 SERIES MIC PREAMP

TRUETUBE™ 250V POWER

FRONT PANEL HI-Z INPUT

DUAL GAIN KNOBS

BLEND KNOB

500DT PRODUCT SPECS

500DT USE EXAMPLES

500DT USER GUIDE AND DOWNLOADS

500DT REVIEWS

SOCIAL MEDIA

DIGITAL AUDIO LABS

PRODUCTS