Locomotive Audio

The Locomotive Audio 14B is a Vari-Mu compressor designed to give vocals perfect presence and smoothness. Inspired by classic vintage units such as the Gates Sta-Level, UA 175B, RCA BA-6A, and Collins 26U, it delivers authentic tube compression that cannot be replicated by any other method. Built with a printed circuit board, custom MuMetal-shielded transformers, and a backlit VU meter, the 14B offers precise control and the legendary warmth of vintage Vari-Mu circuitry.

86B-1 Mono Tube Preamp: American-Style Warmth & Versatility The 86B-1 Mono Tube Preamp brings rich American-style tube warmth to your setup, from smooth vocals to punchy drums. With a sound rooted in 1950s tube circuitry, this preamp breathes life into modern signal chains with its deep harmonic character and versatile controls.With a two-knob control system, the 86B-1 lets you dial in the exact amount of tonal coloration, from subtle warmth to full-bodied saturation. Key features include a 20dB pad, 85Hz high pass filter, and front-panel DI for easy direct input. Inspired by Vintage LegacyThe 86B-1 builds on the classic Ampex 601 design, a 1960s favorite for its smooth and powerful tube tone. Enhanced with modern features like phantom power and improved headroom, the 86B-1 blends vintage quality with today’s audio standards. Preorder the 86B-1 today and give your audio the warmth and detail it deserves.

Locomotive Audio 14B printed circuit board version - A Vari-Mu Compressor That Will Make Your Vocal Sit Perfectly. The Real Sound of Vari-Mu Tube Compression at Your Fingertips. Just like its popular vintage inspirations, the Gates Sta-Level, UA 175B, RCA BA-6A and Collins 26U, the results are a sound that cannot be replicated with any other method of gain reduction. The Locomotive Audio 14B delivers! TRANSFORMERS Super premium  MuMetal shielded input and interstage transformersSPEED & TONE Fast UA 175B attack meets smooth Gates Sta-Level OutputLOW CUT FILTER Adjust & cut the low frequencies that trigger compressionSTEREO LINK Use the 14B aggressively on your stereo room mics and overheads or gently on your mix bus Features: Stereo Link switch Sidechain Low Cut filter control: Off and 70-350Hz Hard-wire bypass switch Compression turned off with full counterclockwise attack position, switching to line amplifier Two position Compress-Limit Switch Two position VU meter switch: Gain Reduction - Output 6BC8 balance adjustment on interior of unit Custom Sifam backlit VU meter XLR input and output connections Custom MuMetal shielded input and interstage transformers Custom output transformer Hand-built in USA Heavy 16 gauge steel chassis 115v/230v AC mains option on rear Lifetime warranty parts and labor

A 1940s American-Style Stereo Octal Tube Preamp Designed for Big, Thick Results Introducing the 40AM preamp, your gateway to achieving that coveted vintage 1940s sound. Drawing inspiration from iconic models such as the RCA BA-11A and Gates SA-70, this preamp combines design elements from each into one ultimate creation. Packing a powerful punch but versatile enough to be used on a wide range of sound sources, the 40AM will help produce recordings that embody the warmth and character of a bygone era.

Locomotive Audio's single channel 14B compressor and limiter is based on a very old, but still very exciting concept of rebiasing the input tube with a sidechain control voltage. After all, some of the most famous compressors in history, such as the Fairchild 670, Gates Sta-Level and Collins 26U, employed this very technique. The results are a sound that cannot be replicated with other ways of gain reduction. The Locomotive Audio 14B and its added modern features allow it to achieve a unique sound in its own right. Starting with the semi-remote cutoff 6BC8 tube, a 12AY7 then drives two powerful push-pull 6V6 output tubes. The 14B is quite a versatile unit, with the ability to run soft and gentle or hard and aggressive. A sidechain low cut control offers even more flexibility, especially when used on the mixbus and linked with another 14B. This versatile unit can be used on all kinds of source material including vocals, drums, guitars, bass, piano and horns. With its high quality Cinemag input and interstage transformers, the 14B has the ability to define mid-range clutter and control the peaks at the same time. Any material run through this unit will be enhanced, even when not compressing. Select Your Build Type The Locomotive Audio 14B Compressor is now available in two build options: ORIGINAL HANDWIRED Authentic to the design aesthetic of classic vintage vari-mu and optical compressors of the 1940s − 1960s, the Locomotive Audio 14B-HW (Handwired) is built with the same labor intensive care and attention to detail. Every wire and component is selected and soldered by hand, ensuring each unit is special. Adding this artistic centerpiece to your rack is truly inspiring. PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD Smart layout design gives the Locomotive Audio 14B-PCB (Printed Circuit Board) version the same superior sonic result as the Handwired version, but instead, with a more efficient build process. Using the same components and audio path as the Handwired version, the resulting specifications and performance are identical. We are happy to finally offer this lower cost option. Features Stereo Link switch Sidechain Low Cut filter control: Off and 70-350Hz Hard-wire bypass switch Compression turned off with full counterclockwise attack position, switching to line amplifier Two position Compress-Limit Switch Two position VU meter switch: Gain Reduction - Output 6BC8 balance adjustment on interior of unit Custom Sifam backlit VU meter XLR input and output connections Cinemag input and interstage transformers Custom output transformer Hand-built in USA with classic turret board technique Heavy 16 gauge steel chassis 115v/230v AC mains option on rear 2-year limited warranty parts and labor  

Features Microphone and high impedance instrument inputs One EF86 & one 12AY7 per channel 4-Position Input Switch: 500 Ω & 1.8K Ω Mic, 10k Ω Line, 1.6meg Ω  Polarity reverse switch 20 dB pad switch 100 Hz low cut filter switch DI on for each channel +48 V phantom power​ XLR mic input, line input and line output connections Premium input and output transformers Wima polypropylene capacitors in signal path Built in USA Heavy 16 gauge steel chassis 115 V/230 V AC mains option on rear Backed by lifetime warranty parts and labor, excluding tubes

The Locomotive Audio Power-MU 500 is a stereo vari-mu compressor built for the 500 series format. It brings smooth and warm tube compression to your stereo bus or mix, with all the classic character you’d expect from high-quality analog gear. Designed with precision stepped controls, the Power-MU 500 makes it easy to recall settings and dial in just the right amount of compression. Using NOS tubes and custom interstage transformers, the Power-MU delivers gentle and musical compression that enhances your mix without sounding harsh or overly processed. It’s ideal for glueing your mix together, but also responds well when pushed for more aggressive, harmonically rich results. With features like AC & DC threshold controls, a stereo link switch, sidechain high-pass filter, and hardwire bypass, the Power-MU 500 gives you flexible control in a compact 500 series unit. The backlit Sifam VU meter and heavy steel chassis reflect its quality build and professional design.

Capture your performance now, audition on any pedal or amp later.The all new Locomotive ZCAR is simple. Connect any instrument to your favorite mic preamp and record. Then, send the recorded signal to your pedal chain or amp of choice - all from one box! With ZCAR's mu-metal shielded transformer, the 1/4" jacks and XLR jacks are isolated from one another. This provides proper input and output impedances on each side, so that you can focus more on performance and less on technical requirements. And since the ZCAR is passive, no power source is necessary. Just plug and play, anywhere! A little history: Impedance in audio is denoted by the letter Z. And in the Locomotive “Z” CAR, our high-quality transformer ensures the appropriate impedances are available on each side of the signal chain.

The Locomotive Audio Z CAR DI is a premium passive direct box and reamping solution designed for professional studio recording and guitar workflows. Combining a high-quality DI box and Amp-Up reamping functionality in a single rugged enclosure, the Z CAR allows musicians and engineers to record clean instrument signals through microphone preamps and later reamp them through amplifiers or pedal chains with proper impedance matching. Featuring a custom Mu-Metal shielded transformer, passive operation without external power, and selectable tonal shaping modes, the Z CAR delivers transparent signal conversion and flexible analog tone control for studio and live applications.

The Locomotive Copperline is a versatile utility unit designed for placement between a microphone and preamp or between two line-level devices. It features two channels packed with professional tools including a 5-position attenuator, 5-position high-pass filter, mute, vintage load, polarity switch, and unique variable voltage phantom power. Ideal for enhancing vintage mic preamps with modern features or creatively linking line-level devices, the Copperline lets you shape your sound with precision. Its high-current, low-noise phantom power supply delivers up to 52 volts, ensuring microphones perform at their best with detailed, transient-rich audio.