The REDD.47 microphone pre-amplifier, originally introduced as the all-purpose amplifier for EMI's legendary REDD.51 mixing console, quickly earned ‘holy grail’ status among engineers for its uniquely punchy and aggressive sound. Today, Chandler Limited and Abbey Road Studios are thrilled to announce the new REDD.47 Special Edition Pre Amp as the next release in their partnership.

How does one recreate the unique sound of vintage EMI studio equipment? By meticulously integrating original vintage parts with Wade Goeke’s renowned designs. The result is the new REDD.47 Special Edition Pre Amp, a testament to years spent sourcing and collecting authentic components. Wade has incorporated these rare parts into a pre amp that authentically captures the unparalleled sounds that defined an era. Designed for a lifetime of use, this unit is not only a sonic powerhouse but a lasting investment.

The REDD.47 Special Edition Pre Amp marks the beginning of a wider Super Vintage line from Chandler Limited. Future designs will also feature vintage parts, clearly marked by a Super Vintage label on the back panel.

The REDD.47 Special Edition Pre Amp is built with new old stock and vintage parts from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Featured resistor types include: (1) Piher resistors which were used in vintage EMI and Neve gear as well as in Marshall amps. (2) ISKRA resistors found in early Marshall and other English-made amps; and (3) German-made Beyschlag and ERO/Roederstein that were used by many UK and European manufacturers of the time. Featured vintage capacitors include: (1) Siemens and Wima found in vintage EMI and Neve units; (2) German-made ERO and Roederstein that were used in many European designs; and (3) the famous and exceptional sounding Mullard ‘tropical fish’ capacitors.

Beyond its internal components, the REDD.47 Special Edition features a new layout that mirrors the iconic look and feel of the original REDD console cassettes, complete with our new EMI lighted sign, a hallmark of many vintage EMI consoles. While retaining the core REDD.47 circuit path, this Special Edition comes with the addition of the Input Sensitivity, Line Input and Bass Lift sections from the REDD.51 console.

Chandler Limited’s Founder & Chief Designer, Wade Goeke, explains: “My love of vintage equipment and sounds is what got me started in this business. The look, the feel, the sound and even the smell of a vintage unit is undeniable. It has always been my approach to make our gear as exact as possible to units from the ‘60s and ‘70s. In the case of our TG units, the artwork of the circuit boards is literally taken directly from the vintage circuit board artwork. The current trend in audio manufacturing is to make gear in China and to use surface mount components that are essentially designed to make the manufacturing of cell phones and computers very fast and very cheap. I personally do not want any cell phone parts in my audio gear. So, I kept thinking to myself, what can we do to be more vintage? How can we go even further than making things by hand and using old-style manufacturing techniques. My answer - use vintage parts! Designing with vintage parts has been some of the most inspiring and fun work I’ve been able to do. I hope you love it as much as I do!”

Abbey Road’s Head of Audio Products, Mirek Stiles, says: “Whenever I visit the Chandler workshop in Shell Rock, Iowa, I am always impressed by the passion, creativity, and immense skillset from Wade and his team. The high-quality components and hand soldered equipment is just how they would have made these units back in the original EMI Hayes factory in the UK. Wade has now taken this one step further by tirelessly sourcing rare original components, enough to create this special edition range of classic Abbey Road EMI recording devices. This is about as authentic and close as it gets to owning an original REDD pre-amp from the ‘60s. Once you get used to having this awesome sonic fingerprint in your recording chain, it’s very hard to give it up. They just sound amazing on anything you throw at them. Enjoy!”

The REDD.47 Special Edition Pre Amp is available for pre-order now.

Chandler Limited and associated logos are trademarks of Chandler Limited, Inc. Abbey Road Studios, EMI, REDD, .47, RS, TG and their associated logos are trademarks of EMI (IP) Limited.