Warm Audio JUDE-MP2

Original Sound Techniques Console Preamp That Captured London’s Most Famous Recordings of the 60s & 70s

The Sound Of 1960s London Hits
The Jude & Stereo Jude are authentic reproductions of the original Sound Techniques "A-Range" custom console microphone preamps that helped define the sound of legendary recordings at some of London's most famous studios such as De Lane Lea Studios and Trident Studios. Created in direct partnership between Sound Techniques and Warm Audio, Jude accurately delivers the exact microphone preamp circuit designed by Geoff Frost from those historic London consoles. With original dual-discrete 3035 Class-A amplification, Geoff Frost's proprietary Z-Match impedance circuit, custom-spec CineMag USA transformers, and meticulously hand-wired construction, Jude has the unmistakable depth, punch, and musicality heard on classic recordings by David Bowie, Elton John, Queen, and several Beatles recordings including “Hey Jude”.

FEATURES

• Original Sound Techniques A-Range Custom Console Preamp
  The Sound Techniques Jude stereo microphone preamp was created in partnership between legendary British console builder Sound Techniques and Warm Audio, bringing the exact preamp circuit from the original Trident Studios “A-Range” consoles to more studios worldwide. Designed by Geoff Frost, the engineer behind those historic consoles, the Jude preamp combines the authentic circuit topology and premium components of the original design to deliver the celebrated sound heard on classic records by David Bowie, Elton John, Queen, and famously Hey Jude and other timeless Beatles & Paul McCartney recordings.

• The Authentic Original Console Circuit
  Through direct collaboration with Sound Techniques, Jude delivers the exact preamp circuit found in the legendary Trident Studios "A-Range" consoles - in stereo. While countless products have attempted to emulate the sound, the original design has remained largely inaccessible outside of authentic Sound Techniques hardware. The Jude preamp preserves the complete original signal path including the dual-discrete 3035 Class-A amplifier and proprietary 8-lead impedance-matching control. The result is the unmistakable depth, punch, and musical character that helped define recordings made at London's most influential studios.

• Accurate Sound Techniques Components & Hand-Wired Construction
  The Sound Techniques team specified every detail of Jude's design. Premium component selection like Wima and Nichicon audio-grade capacitors, carbon resistors, and custom CineMag USA transformers populate a carefully hand-wired PCB board layout designed by Sound Techniques. Sound Techniques trusted Warm Audio to meticulously manufacture each unit to their exact console-grade standards. Jude delivers authentic performance, response, and sonic character that made the original Sound Techniques consoles legendary among engineers and producers, preserving the integrity of the original design throughout.

• Z-Match Impedance Tone Control
  Derived directly from the original Sound Techniques console design, the 9-position Z-Match tone control recreates Geoff Frost's unique 8-lead impedance-matching circuit. By optimizing the interaction between microphone and preamp, it allows engineers to fine-tune gain, response, and character across a wide range of vintage and modern microphones. It’s like having 9 tonal change options that will interact differently with any microphone. 

• 5-Year Warranty
  Like all Warm Audio gear, every single stereo Jude Preamp comes with a 5-year warranty and is meticulously hand-tested and inspected by trained technicians with a passion for making music in Austin, TX USA.

Dual-Discrete, Z-Match Magic
Built to original Sound Techniques specifications, every Jude channel preserves the complete signal path and tonal flexibility that made the "A-Range" consoles legendary among engineers and producers. The exclusive 9-position Z-Match control allows each channel to optimize the relationship between microphone and preamp, offering nine distinct tonal interactions that shape gain, transient response, frequency balance, and harmonic character with virtually any microphone. Combined with premium Wima and Nichicon audio-grade capacitors, carbon resistors, custom CineMag USA transformers, and Warm Audio's meticulous hand-tested construction, Jude delivers the authentic British console sound once reserved for a handful of the world's most influential recording studios.

Like the vintage Sound Techniques console preamps, Jude includes all the features that deliver the authentic 60’s London console experience.

• Exclusive to Sound Techniques, the 9-position Z-Match tone control optimizes the interaction between microphone and preamp. This tone control allows engineers to fine-tune gain, response, and character across a wide range of vintage and modern microphones. It’s like having 9 tonal change options that will interact differently with any microphone. 

• Quickly switch between a traditional mic-level impedances on the Z-Match to a 10kΩ impedance that better-matches modern audio interface outputs for running program material like tracks and stems for added analog mojo. 

• The Jude preamp includes selectable 48v phantom power to power any mic that requires it. This is most common on condenser mics, and microphones labeled ‘active’ or with active modes. 

• The Jude includes a polarity control that allows the preamp to easily flip phase, managing unintended sonic results between multiple mics in the same room. 

Custom Transformers From CineMag USA
The USA-made CineMag transformers inside the Jude preamps are a custom design, and both the input and output transformers are built to the exact specs designed by Geoff Frost. The input transformers are wired to have three distinct impedances. Unlike singular tone switches, the input transformers on Jude actually change the characteristics of the component depending on the Z-match setting being used. The output transformers have a special high-purity nickel formula with an extra-large core.

Meticulous Layout & Wiring
The Sound Techniques team responsible for designing and building their consoles carefully created the hand-wired board layout to exactly match the preamp build from their console design. Sound Techniques trusted Warm Audio to meticulously manufacture each unit to their exact console-grade standards.

Component Overload
The Sound Techniques team specified every detail of Jude's design including premium component selection like Wima and Nichicon audio-grade capacitors and carbon resistors.

Hand-Tested In Austin, TX
Every single Jude preamp comes with a 5-year warranty, and is meticulously hand tested & inspected at Warm HQ in Austin,TX by real musicians and engineers with passion for superior sound.

SPECIFICATIONS

External Specs (PER CHANNEL)

• Single Or Dual-Channel, Dual-Discrete Console Microphone Preamp

• Variable Input Gain Based On Z-Match Impedance Setting

• 48v Phantom Power | Polarity Switch | Line-Level Switch

• Inputs: XLR Mic | TS/TRS ¼” 

• Outputs: XLR / ¼” TRS Line-Level

Components & Internal Specs (PER CHANNEL)

• Custom-Wound, 3-Impedance CineMag Input Transformers

• Custom-Wound, High-Purity Nickel CineMag Output Transformers

• Variable Mic Input Impedance: 60Ω | 200Ω | 1.5KΩ | 10KΩ

• Nichicon Audio Grade & Wima Capacitors

Performance Specs (PER CHANNEL)
Preamp Gain Per-Channel: 65 - 76dB [40Ω Source Impedance]
EIN:  -128 dBu (A-wtd)
Self-Noise: -99 dBu (A-wtd)
THD: 0.008%
Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 25 kHz (+/-2dB)