Run by a recording engineer, Lauren Audio is a one-man builder based in California that offers custom amplifiers and preamps and, also a bunch of pedals, among which a preamp stompbox emulating the most legendary channel strip, the Neve 1073: enter the Lauren Audio Mustang V2.
The Mustang has a simple 3-knob layout, but can do a lot to your tone:
Supercharged with a modified gain control and variable feedback, the Mustang lets the player to control the harmonic content along with tone, and allows for a soaring, searing overdrive typically unattainable by its studio brethren. In contrast the player can roll down the harmonics for a smooth, classy tone similar to a studio preamp. A JFET front end offers a high impedance input and delivers healthy signal to the sensitivity control, which provides most of the gain and input level.
Built with high-quality parts, this pedal runs at an internal 24v like the classic Neve rack unit, for incredible headroom and dynamic depth.
Check out the video below to hear it in action.
The Mustang Preamp is a class-A overdrive based on the most acclaimed channel strip, the Neve 1073. Supercharged with a modified gain control and variable feedback, the Mustang lets the player to control the harmonic content along with tone, and allows for a soaring, searing overdrive typically unattainable by its studio brethren. In contrast the player can roll down the harmonics for a smooth, classy tone similar to a studio preamp. A JFET front end offers a high impedance input and delivers healthy signal to the sensitivity control, which provides most of the gain and input level.
The simple layout is inspired by the motor-sports of yesteryear; rugged, effective machines that served their purpose and let their operators perform their best. The design of the Mustang is no frills, with a focus on tone. The custom chassis sports a uv print by pedal artist Nick Smith, and is an homage to the iconic car and warplane that share the Mustang name.
Similar to other Lauren Audio pedals, the internals are stocked with NOS and high quality parts. The transistors are Philips BC109C spec’d in the original Neve documents, and all components are selected to emulate the classic build. High quality coupling caps, polystyrene filtering/feedback caps, and low noise mil-spec resistors provide studio quality tone. The internal voltage multiplier supplies the circuit with 24v like the classic rack unit, delivering incredible headroom and dynamic depth. Connections are handled by Pure-Tone and Lumberg jacks, switching is a high quality true bypass switch, all tuned by metal knobs for rough use.
