With its flat, extended frequency response and subtle harmonic coloration, the BF-S Pro DI Tube Preamp for Instruments | Useful Arts Audiosingle-channel tube instrument preamp/DI delivers top-notch tone for discerning musicians and engineers tracking at home or in the studio. Its two selectable gain modes allow the BF-S to operate as a traditional DI box or a high-quality instrument preamp that can be patched straight into A/D converters.

When you need to sculpt or shift the spectral balance of your signal from your source, simply twist the large knobs for the 2-band EQ. A bypass switch is provided for quick A/B comparisons, just to make sure your changes made the difference you were after. Not only does the BF-S have an unbalanced 1/4" thru jack, but it also offers balanced 1/4" and XLR outputs, with hum-negating ground lift for the XLR out. The durable powder-coated steel enclosure houses a high-voltage linear power supply, which enables extended headroom and ultralow noise for the BF-S Pro DI.

Class-A Tube Circuitry    2-Band EQ with Bypass Switch    Selectable Hi/Lo Gain Mode    1/4" Hi-Z Instrument Input    1/4" Unbalanced Thru Jack    XLR and 1/4" Balanced Outputs    Ground Lift for XLR Output    High-Voltage Linear Power Supply    Powder-Coated Steel Enclosure

The concept behind the BF-S is simple. Useful Arts Audio took the audio circuitry of the BF-1 tube DI and coupled it with the linear power supply from the SFP-60 dual-channel vacuum tube mic preamps. The result is clarity, headroom, and low-noise specs produced by the high voltage that a linear power supply can deliver.

The BF-S functions as a single-channel preamp/DI for your electric guitar or bass. Just plug your instrument directly into the front-panel 1/4" input to start benefiting from the BF-S's Class-A tube tone.

Use the Hi Gain mode to treat the BF-S as an instrument preamp, patching it directly into the line input of your audio interface or A/D converter. Switch to Lo Gain mode to run the BF-S as a traditional DI that can connect to your preferred mic preamp.

In addition to the adjustable output level, the BF-S features large knobs to tweak the 2-band EQ. Sweeten the highs and lows without having to use EQ later in the signal path.

Use the front-panel 1/4" unbalanced thru jack to route the input signal to places such as a pedalboard or an amp.

With dual balanced outputs (1/4" TRS and XLR 3-pin), the BF-S can simultaneously feed two line inputs. A ground-lift switch is provided for the XLR output, allowing you to mitigate hum from ground loops.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can I use 2 different pairs of speakers, either interchangeably (A/B comparison) as well as all 4 speakers at the same time?

A: When using the Native Instruments KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 Mk2 USB Audio Interface, you can select between either outputs 1 and 2 or 3 and 4, but all four outputs cannot be selected at the same time.

Q: 2. Can this be used in place of a mic activator, such as a cloud lifter ?

A: Yes, you can use the TubeOpto instead of a Cloudlifer. The TubeOpto can be used with dynamic and condenser microphones while the Cloudlifter is specifically for use with dynamic mics. The Cloudlifer has a passive design that uses phantom power from the mic input you connecting to and can add up to 25 dB of clean gain. The TubeOpto does much more than just add clean gain since it is fully featured tube-based mic preamp. Its eight channels each have their own input and output gain controls which can add up to 70 dB of clean gain as well as additional features to shape the sound.

Q: 3. Does this work on pc?

A: The 4-710D will not have a direct computer connection. Connection to a computer will require additional hardware such as a multi-channel audio interface. http://bhpho.to/1NPyu44

Q: 4. Works whit beta 87?

A: This would work with a Shure Beta87a.

Q: 5. I know there doesn't seem to be any way to turn off the phantom pass through. Can you use this on dynamic mics like the Shure SM7b without any problem? Thanks.

A: The FetHead Phantom is only designed for condenser mics. The standard FetHead is designed specifically for dynamics such as the SM7B and ribbon mics as well.

Q: 6. I plan to use this with an h4n zoom or h5 zoom or a tascam 60d , which fethead should I get, there is an in line and fathead regular or fethead phantom? please kindly clarify before I order. thanks!

A: It depends on the mic you are using. if your mic needs phantom power (condenser) then get the fethead phantom. If the mic does not need phantom power (dynamic) get the regular.

Q: 7. The rode NTG-2 has can power itself with a AA battery. Will that battery power transfer also the this Fethead or must the Fethead power come from the recorder? I would like to plug NTG-2/Fethead combo directly into mirrorless camera.

A: No, the battery power for the NTG-2 will not also power the TRITON AUDIO FetHead Phantom In-Line Microphone Preamp.

Q: 8. I'm using Cubase as DAW and Fireface UC . Can I connect Art TubeOpto 8 to Fireface and control/record all to Cubase?

A: Yes you can. I recommend attaching the Art via the ADAT out optical port to the ADAT in port on the FireFace. That will send all 8 channels digitally to the FireFace for recording into Cubase.

Q: 9. Will this lower noise with a Zoom H6 and NTG4 Plus?

A: If the noise you are experiencing is from having to turn up the gain on the mic pre amp of the Zoom H6, then this would help, by providing a dB boost. But you should not have to turn up the gain too much with a condenser mic such as the NTG4 Plus. If this is not the cause of the noise, then you may want to upgrade to a recorder with higher quality mic pre amp's, such as the Sound Devices MixPre-6 II 6-Channel / 8-Track Multitrack 32-Bit Field Recorder, BH #SOMIXPRE6II.

Q: 10. Is this the correct Fethead for the Deity S-Mic 2S? Or should I be getting the regular Fethead? (The S-Mic 2S is a phantom powered mic, but even still this isn't clear).

A: This is the correct model.