Lake People F311-D 2-Channel Microphone Preamplifier

Lake People F311-D Microphone Preamplifier

The Lake People F311-D Microphone Preamplifier delivers reference-grade mic amplification with a noise floor of -129dB at 60dB gain—numbers that put it in direct competition with preamps costing twice as much. Built around electronically balanced topologies and 12-step switched gain controls, this isn't the potentiometer-based compromise you find in most preamps. Each gain position is precisely calibrated and perfectly matched between channels, so when you set both channels to +42dB, you get identical gain—not "close enough." The 5Hz to 150kHz bandwidth captures everything from subsonic room modes to the highest harmonic overtones, while THD+N stays below 0.001% across the entire gain range.

In location recording and direct-to-DAW sessions, the F311-D becomes your front end when console preamps aren't up to the task. The 12-step gain switches (0 to +66dB in 6dB increments) provide repeatable settings you can document and recall across sessions—critical when you're matching microphone pairs for orchestral recording or need to recreate a specific gain structure. Switchable 48V phantom power per channel pair, phase reverse, and a 70Hz high-pass filter (12dB/octave) give you the essential functions without cluttering the signal path with unnecessary processing. The seven-stage level meters (-36 to 0dBr) provide quick visual confirmation of your levels, while the rack-mount 1U chassis fits into mobile rigs and permanent installations. Output impedance stays below 30Ω, so you can drive long cable runs to your interface or recorder without high-frequency rolloff. Explore our microphone preamps for more professional amplification options.

Stepped Gain Control For Repeatable Precision

The 12-step switched gain design eliminates the channel-matching problems and gain drift that plague potentiometer-based preamps. Each position clicks into place with calibrated resistor networks, delivering exactly 0, +6, +12, +18, +24, +30, +36, +42, +48, +54, +60, or +66dB of gain. When you set both channels to +36dB, they're matched to within a fraction of a dB—not approximated based on where you eyeball the knob position. This matters when you're using matched microphone pairs for stereo recording or when you need to recreate a session's gain structure months later from your notes. The switches themselves are built to survive thousands of switching cycles without developing noise or intermittent contacts, making this preamp a long-term investment rather than a disposable piece of gear.

Noise Floor That Reveals Microphone Performance

At -129dB signal-to-noise ratio with 60dB of gain, the F311-D's noise floor sits well below what even the quietest studio microphones can achieve. This means you're hearing the mic's self-noise and the acoustic environment—not the preamp contributing electronic hiss. The 5Hz to 150kHz bandwidth (-3dB) captures extended low-frequency information that most preamps roll off, which matters when you're recording orchestral bass or large drum kits where subsonic energy affects the perceived weight of the sound. The less-than-0.001% THD+N figure means harmonic distortion stays inaudible even when pushing the preamp to its +25dBu maximum output level. Check out our studio microphones to pair with this reference-grade preamplification.

Essential Functions Without Unnecessary Complexity

The F311-D includes the features you need for professional recording without the bloat of unnecessary processing. Switchable 48V phantom power activates per channel pair, so you can run a dynamic and condenser mic simultaneously without phantom power hitting the dynamic. The 70Hz high-pass filter uses a 12dB/octave slope to remove subsonic rumble and reduce proximity effect buildup without audibly thinning the low end. Phase reverse on each channel helps align polarity when combining multiple microphones on a single source. The seven-stage LED meters provide fast visual feedback from -36dBr to 0dBr, with internal calibration adjustment for precise level monitoring. The 1U rack-mount chassis fits into mobile recording rigs, and the IEC power socket accepts either 115V or 230V AC via an internal switch—useful when traveling internationally with your recording setup.

Highlights

• Twelve-step switched gain control (0 to +66dB in 6dB increments) for precise, repeatable channel matching
• Signal-to-noise ratio of -129dB at 60dB gain with THD+N below 0.001%
• Extended 5Hz to 150kHz bandwidth captures subsonic and ultrasonic information transparently
• Electronically balanced XLR inputs and outputs with sub-30Ω output impedance
• Switchable 48V phantom power per channel pair with individual phase reverse switches
• 70Hz high-pass filter with 12dB/octave slope for controlling proximity effect and rumble
• Seven-stage level meters (-36 to 0dBr) with internal calibration adjustment

Lake People F311 Specifications

What's in the Box