Lake People F355 Microphone Preamplifier

Lake People F355 Microphone Preamplifier

The Lake People F355 Microphone Preamplifier combines Class-A active feedback input topology with surgical control over gain structure and filtering. Beyond the -129dB noise floor at 60dB gain, what sets the F355 apart is the deactivatable fine gain adjustment—a center-detent potentiometer providing ±5dB of trim around your 12-step switched gain position. This hybrid approach gives you the repeatability of stepped switching with the nuance of continuous adjustment when you need it. The variable lo-cut filter sweeps from 12Hz to 250Hz with a 12dB/octave slope, letting you target exactly where proximity effect becomes a problem rather than accepting a fixed 80Hz corner frequency. Add programmable intelligent muting that eliminates cable pop transients, and you've got a preamp that adapts to real-world recording scenarios.

In demanding tracking environments, the F355's Class-A input stage maintains linearity even with hot mic signals, while the -12dB pad switch extends headroom to handle close-mic'd brass or drum overheads without distortion. The 16-segment LED meters provide fast ballistics for catching transient peaks, with front-panel calibration to match your monitoring standards. Dual balanced XLR outputs per channel—four total—let you split signals to multiple destinations without external distribution. The stainless steel 1U chassis provides RF shielding in electrically noisy environments, and the 5Hz to 150kHz bandwidth ensures extended frequency response that captures the full harmonic content of acoustic sources. This isn't just a mic preamp—it's a precision front end for critical recording where the difference between good and exceptional matters. Explore our microphone preamps for more professional options.

Class-A Input Stage With Active Feedback

The F355's Class-A active feedback topology keeps the input transistors operating in their most linear region regardless of signal level. This eliminates crossover distortion and maintains consistent harmonic structure from the quietest ribbon mic whisper to the loudest condenser capsule output. The result is a preamp that doesn't change character as you increase gain—it just gets louder while maintaining the same transparent, uncolored amplification. Combined with the 12-step switched gain (0 to +66dB) and deactivatable ±5dB fine adjustment, you get both repeatable positioning and the ability to dial in that last half-dB of gain when matching stereo pairs. The fine adjustment has a center detent so you can quickly return to your stepped gain position, and it can be bypassed entirely when you need absolute channel matching. Check out our studio microphones to pair with this reference-grade amplification.

Variable Lo-Cut Filter That Targets Problem Frequencies

Most preamps give you a fixed high-pass filter at 80Hz or 100Hz—take it or leave it. The F355's variable lo-cut sweeps continuously from 12Hz to 250Hz with a 12dB/octave slope, so you can set the corner frequency exactly where you need it. Recording a male voice with heavy proximity buildup? Dial in 120Hz. Tracking upright bass and want to preserve the fundamental while cutting stage rumble? Set it to 35Hz. The filter is completely bypassable, and when engaged, it doesn't introduce phase shift in the passband the way some gentler slopes do. This level of control matters when you're working with sources that have problematic low-frequency content but you don't want to sacrifice the weight and body that makes them sound natural.

Intelligent Muting And Dual Outputs Per Channel

The programmable intelligent muting system automatically suppresses the transient pops and thumps that occur when plugging or unplugging microphones with phantom power engaged. It monitors the signal path and engages a fast mute circuit when it detects these anomalies, protecting your monitors and downstream gear from potentially damaging impulses. Each channel provides two balanced XLR outputs—four total across the unit—so you can feed a recorder and a monitor mix simultaneously, or split signals to different processing chains without external splitters. The 16-segment LED meters use fast ballistics to catch transient peaks that average-responding meters miss, with separate clip indicators to warn you when you're approaching the +25dBu maximum output level. Front-panel calibration lets you adjust the meter range to match your workflow, whether you're tracking hot or working with conservative levels.

Highlights

• Class-A active feedback input stage maintains linearity across the entire gain range
• Twelve-step switched gain (0-66dB) plus deactivatable ±5dB fine adjustment with center detent
• Variable lo-cut filter sweeps from 12Hz to 250Hz with 12dB/octave slope
• Programmable intelligent muting system eliminates cable pop transients automatically
• -129dB signal-to-noise ratio at 60dB gain with less than 0.001% THD+N
• Dual balanced XLR outputs per channel (four total) for flexible signal routing
• 16-segment LED meters with separate clip indicators and front-panel calibration

Lake People F335 Specifications

What's in the Box