Locomotive Audio Copperline

The Copperline is a utility unit meant to be placed between a microphone and preamp or between two line-level devices. It's loaded with two channels of valuable features, including a 5-position attenuator, 5-position high pass filter, mute, vintage load, polarity, and never-before-seen variable voltage phantom power. Whether aiding your vintage mic preamps with modern features or joining two line-level devices, the Copperline will help you creatively alter your signal and shape your sound.

Arguably the most critical device in your recording chain, the microphone is only as good as the power that runs it. Phantom power is something most of us take for granted. It exists in our outboard preamps, mixers, or even compact, inexpensive boxes with "wall wart" power adapters.

Would you put cheap tires on a Ferrari? No. Then why use generic, "whatever works" phantom power with your treasured microphone collection? Not all phantom power supplies are created equal.

It's important to understand that the standard phantom power voltage range for professional microphones is 48 +/- 4 volts (i.e., 44 to 52 volts). Some supplies don’t offer this range of voltages. Even if 44-52 volts of phantom power is provided, there may be significant noise or a lack of instantaneous current available for the microphone to meet the intended specifications of the microphone manufacturer.

The Locomotive Copperline offers up to 52 volts of phantom power from a high current and quiet supply. It will make your mics sound more detailed and transient-rich than from low-cost supplies or from some outboard preamps that consider phantom power an afterthought.