PreSonus ADL 700

No Compromises—Our Finest Channel Strip!

Click here to find where you can test drive the ADL 700

Click here to find where you can test drive the ADL 700

Stunning high-end sound and incredible versatility are hallmarks of this top-of-the-line, tube-driven channel strip. The ADL 700 integrates a proven, award-winning, boutique-quality preamp; a custom-designed FET compressor; and a custom, four-band, semi-parametric EQ.

Our premium channel strip boasts frequency response from 10 Hz all the way up to 45 kHz and offers all of the features you’d want in a high-end device. And the ADL 700 is a great value — as you expect from PreSonus!

Reviewers, producers, and artists are raving about the ADL 700. Read what they're saying! 

You Asked for It!

We created the ADL 700 because you insisted! The PreSonus ADL 600 two-channel tube mic preamp was such a hit with customers—including such top artists, engineers, and producers as Chuck Ainlay, Jimmy Douglass, Mark Mancina, Demetric Collins, and Victor Wooten—that we were inundated with requests for a single-channel version in a channel strip, with a compressor and EQ that would be up to the preamp’s high standards.

You were right—it was a great idea—so we gave the design job to Robert Creel, the engineering mastermind behind many of PreSonus’ most beloved analog circuits, including the XMAX™ preamp. It took years of hard work but he delivered big-time. The ADL 700 channel strip is everything we—and you—hoped it would be!

Putting the AD in ADL 700

We started with a single-channel version of the ADL 600 preamplifier, which was co-designed by PreSonus and famed tube-circuit designer Anthony DeMaria. The preamp employs a distinctive Class A, discrete design that incorporates two 6922 and one 12AT7 vacuum tubes per channel, operating with ±300V power rails for maximum headroom and superb tone.

The dual-transformer design ensures low-noise operation, with maximum common-mode rejection. This resulted in an ultra-quiet tube preamp with a big, warm, smooth, clear, distinctive sound. "This is a very linear, modern-sounding valve preamp—the way I think good valve preamps should be," says Hugh Rabjohn (Sound on Sound, August 2013).

Indeed, the reviewers are raving about the ADL 700's sound. “For a tube design, the ADL 700 has an incredible signal-to-noise ratio and a huge dynamic range,” notes George Schilling (Resolution, March 2013).“The preamp sounded great,” agrees Chris Grainger (Mix, January 2013). "A stellar mic amp,” confirms Rob Tavaglione (ProAudioReview, February 2013). 

Top artists and producer are equally enthusiastic. "The ADL 700 makes acoustic guitars sound smooth and sweet and vocals are big and clear,” says three-time Grammy Award-winner Keb' Mo. Legendary producer Teddy Riley is positively giddy: “The ADL 700 is an INCREDIBLE mic-pre!! Next level of anything I’ve ever used!! Very quiet and warm sounding. I’ve recorded several vocal sessions while using the ADL 700, and I’ve only had GREAT results!!”

↓ Read more about the preamp design.

Maximum Flexibility

Beyond superb sound quality, the ADL 700’s preamp is special because of its ease of use and flexibility. Rob Tavaglione (ProAudioReview, February 2013) states, “The ADL 700 is a fine sounding unit that excels with versatility and flexibility.” Eric Tischler (Tape Op, January-February 2013) adds, “I arrived at these settings quickly, and by feel.... If you’re looking for an incredibly adaptable mic preamp—one that you could use on anything—I’d recommend checking this unit out.” 

Among the hallmark features of ADL-series preamps are separate, balanced XLR mic, balanced XLR line, and ¼” TS instrument inputs and a single, balanced XLR output. An Input Source Select switch enables you to leave your signal sources connected at all times and choose among sources, patching the selected input through the signal chain and completely bypassing the other two inputs. 

The preamp offers a choice of four mic-input impedances: 1500Ω, 900Ω, 300Ω, and 150Ω. Lowering or raising the ADL 700 mic-input impedance can create subtle coloring and filtering effects, enabling you to get a wider variety of tonalities without using the EQ.

↓ Read more about variable microphone-input impedance

In addition, the ADL 700 provides variable mic-input gain, employing an 8-position, military-grade, rotary switch that provides 35 dB of gain in stepped, 5 dB increments. A Trim potentiometer (±30 dB) allows you to make fine adjustments to the final preamp stage of the ADL 700 input.

The output stage is controlled by a fully variable attenuator that delivers ±10 dB of fine-tune trim adjustment, enabling you to dial in the perfect gain structure for any application.

A Tight Squeeze

The ADL 700’s FET (Field-Effect Transistor) compressor includes fully variable attack, release, threshold, ratio, makeup gain, and bypass controls. The compressors of two ADL 700s can be stereo linked allowing for more accurate stereo imaging. The ADL 700 compressor has a “soft knee” compression curve.

↓ Read more about soft versus hard knee.

FET-based compressors such as the one in the ADL 700 use transistors to emulate a triode tube’s operation and sound. This type of compressor generally provides a faster attack time and better repeatability than the optical compressors that are more commonly found in channel strips in this price class. "At lower ratios (such as 1.25:1, my favorite on the ADL 700), users can… get an invisible, balanced, and full sound that really compliments the musical mic pre,” states Rob Tavaglione (Pro Audio Review, February 2013). "The compressor is accurate and responsive, and very good for managing the normal dynamic excursions of most vocal performers, subtly but firmly" adds Hugh Rabjohn (Sound on Sound, August 2013).

↓ Read more about FET compressors.

Custom-Designed EQ

The ADL 700’s 4-band semi-parametric EQ was designed to match the preamp and compressor. It combines isolated filters and optimized, per-band Q to provide subtle signal-shaping without harsh artifacts. “The EQ was designed with musicality in mind,” comments Chris Grainger (Mix, January 2013). Resolution magazine's George Shilling (March 2013 issue) found that, "The EQ is smooth and refined.... [It] is more than powerful enough for general use but is pretty forgiving, and the low end can be huge (without wooliness) in Peak mode."

All bands have Gain (±16 dB) and Frequency controls, with overlapping frequency ranges and fixed Q (0.55). The low and high bands are switchable between shelving and peak.

↓ Read more about the EQ section.

Who’s on First?

Would you rather have the compressor before the EQ in the signal chain or put the EQ first? Placing the compressor before the EQ allows you to make dramatic changes to the EQ settings without needing to alter the compressor setting. However, if you place the EQ before the compressor, you can better control different frequencies, achieving a more natural response.

The ADL 700’s EQ>Comp switch provides the best of both worlds, allowing you the flexibility to chose which signal flow is right for your application at any given time.

You also can independently bypass the compressor and the EQ using front-panel switches.

The Trimmings

Of course, you get +48V phantom power, polarity inversion, and a 20 dB pad, controlled by big, sturdy, military-grade switches. You also get a -12 dB/octave high-pass filter, the frequency threshold of which can be set at 20 Hz, 40 Hz, 80 Hz, or 200 Hz—or it can be turned off completely. It’s great for controlling room rumble and low-frequency noise. “The high pass filter is especially helpful with its sweepability,” comments Rob Tavaglione (Pro Audio Review, February 2013).

We didn’t skimp on metering either. Fast-acting, eight-segment LED meters accurately detect fast transients and peaks. Large, backlit, dual-mode analog VU metering enables monitoring of output and gain-reduction levels. A -6 dB switch offsets the meter for use with hot source signals. A master level control adjusts the overall output from -80 to +6 dB.

Double Your Pleasure

As much as you’ll enjoy having one 2-rackspace ADL 700, you will absolutely love having a pair of them. Or more! “I’d love to have four or five of ‘em,” raves Eric Tischler (Tape Op, January-February 2013). You can even stereo-link the two compressor sections: When the Threshold control is turned fully counterclockwise to the ST position, the onboard compressor controls are bypassed, and compression is controlled externally, via a Stereo Link connection to a second ADL 700.

With its extensive feature set, ultra-low noise (-100 dB S/N ratio), >73 dB gain, extended frequency response of 10 Hz to 45 kHz, and top-of-the-line sound, the ADL 700 is a superb creative tool for serious recording engineers and musicians. “The ADL 700 is a serious, versatile channel strip and a great addition to our studios," state Bass Monsters Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey. "With a smooth compressor and impressive EQ, it’s perfect for our basses, vocals, and anything else we plug into it. Now we are using it on all of our projects. We love it!”

We'll let the reviewers have the final say. "This is a very grown-up product, and I enjoyed working with it very much," concludes Hugh Rabjohn (Sound on Sound, August 2013). “It’s solidly built, yet thoroughly refined and should prove a terrific all-rounder in any studio setup,” declares George Schilling (Resolution, March 2013). “It features performance that approaches the best of the best, though at half to two-thirds the cost of the competition,” insists Rob Tavaglione (Pro Audio Review, February 2013).