The a-designs audio KGB-II and KGB-Itf are instrument preamplifiers that supply +4 dB line level balanced outputs. The KGB-II is a dual-mono (stereo) unit while the KGB-Itf is a single-channel version with a useful three-band, high/mid/low tone control.
The KGB Series uses discrete op-amps with Cinemag output transformers and both have 22-meg-Ohm input impedances so that they will not load down passive pickups and change the intrinsic sound of your instrument. I found them to work great with guitars, bass guitars and also electronic keyboards.
The KGB-Itf (pictured top), with its powerful tone stack, makes an awesome single-channel interface for guitar or bass. The KGB-II is a matched dual-channel interface perfect for stereo keyboards, synthesizers or stereo guitar rigs for either live stages or in the studio.
The FOH engineer or recording engineer will love that both these units will directly drive any line level processor or DAW interface. Both have front panel Switchcraft 1⁄4-inch Input and Thru jacks plus rear-panel ground lifts, polarity/phase flip and on/off power switches.
The A-Designs Audio KGB-II and KGB-Itf Instrument Preamplifiers sell for $745 each.
Barry Rudolph is a recording engineer/mixer who has worked on over 30 gold and platinum records. He has recorded and/or mixed Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart, the Corrs, and more. Barry has his own futuristic music mixing facility and loves teaching audio engineering at Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA. He is a lifetime Grammy-voting member of NARAS and a contributing editor for Mix Magazine. barryrudolph.com
