If you’re passionate about audio, you know that the right equipment can make all the difference. Burl Audio, a company founded by and for recording engineers, has carved a niche for itself by crafting gear that bridges the gap between analog warmth and digital precision. From the renowned B2 Bomber converters to the versatile B80 Mothership, Burl Audio offers a range of tools designed to elevate your recordings. This article explores the company’s history, their unique approach to audio technology, and what makes their products a favorite among discerning audio professionals. Let’s discover the world of Burl Audio and how their gear can help you achieve your sonic goals.
Key Takeaways
- Burl Audio gear adds a warm, analog richness to digital recordings. This characteristic sound, achieved through custom transformers and Class-A circuitry, makes their equipment popular among professional recording engineers.
- From the single-channel B1 Mic Preamp to the modular B80 Mothership, Burl Audio offers tools for various studio needs. This range allows you to select equipment tailored to your specific recording, mixing, and mastering workflow.
- Investing in Burl Audio means investing in quality construction and reliable performance. Their products are designed to withstand daily studio use, making them a long-term asset for audio professionals.
What is Burl Audio?
Company History and Mission
Burl Audio designs and manufactures professional audio equipment. Founded in 2006, the company operates out of Paradise Recording in the Santa Cruz mountains of California. Spearheaded by Rich Williams, Burl Audio develops its gear within a working recording studio environment—created by recording engineers, for recording engineers. This hands-on approach ensures their products meet the real-world demands of professional recording. Learn more about Burl Audio and their mission. Williams’ leadership has resulted in some of the most well-regarded recording equipment to emerge in recent years, earning praise for their mic preamps, summing amps, and control room monitors. Read an interview with Rich Williams.
Product Overview
Burl Audio crafts specialized audio equipment designed to refine how sound is captured, mixed, and experienced. They are known for their converters and preamps, which add a distinct analog character to digital recordings. Their product line includes the B1 and B1D 500 Series preamps, the B2 Bomber ADC and DAC stereo converters, and a modular converter system. Explore Burl Audio’s product lineup. These tools are favored by professionals seeking high-quality audio conversion with a unique sonic signature. The B2 Bomber converters, for example, are praised for their musicality and the distinct analog color they impart, making them suitable for a variety of applications. Read a review of the B2 Bombers.
Burl Audio’s Top Products
Burl Audio offers a range of equipment for audio professionals, from single-channel preamps to full conversion systems. Here are a few standout pieces:
B80 Mothership: Modular Conversion
The B80 Mothership is what you want if flexibility is key. This configurable AD/DA converter lets you build a system that fits your exact needs. It’s modular, so you can customize the channel count and connectivity options as your studio grows. This adaptability makes the Mothership a popular choice for studios that anticipate future expansion or require a highly specialized setup.
B2 Bomber: High-Quality AD/DA Conversion
The B2 Bomber is known for its musicality. Reviewers often point to its distinct analog character, which adds warmth and depth to recordings. It’s designed for stereo conversion, making it a solid option for mixing and mastering. If you’re looking for a converter that can “glue” your mixes together and add a bit of polish, the B2 Bomber is worth checking out.
B1 Mic Preamp: Transformer Technology
The B1 is a single-channel mic preamp built around Burl Audio’s custom transformers. These transformers, the BX3 input and BX2 output, are designed to add warmth and presence to your recordings. If you’re recording vocals, acoustic instruments, or anything that needs a bit of extra character, the B1 could be a great fit.
B26 Orca: 2-Channel AD/DA Conversion
The B26 Orca combines a monitor controller with a two-channel AD/DA converter. This makes it a versatile tool for tracking and mixing. It’s designed for high-quality audio monitoring, allowing you to hear your mixes accurately while also providing a convenient path for recording. If you’re looking for a streamlined solution for both monitoring and conversion, the Orca is worth considering.
Burl Audio’s Sound and Tech
Burl Audio’s reputation for high-end audio equipment comes from a few key design choices. Let’s explore the technology that gives Burl its distinctive sound.
Transformer-Based Design
Burl Audio uses custom-designed transformers throughout their signal path. These transformers add subtle coloration and saturation to the audio, contributing to a warm, full sound often associated with classic analog gear. This design choice is a core element of Burl Audio’s sonic identity. It’s why many describe their converters as having a “vintage vibe” while maintaining pristine clarity. This approach sets them apart from many modern, clinically clean digital audio devices. Burl Audio products are designed by recording engineers for recording engineers, ensuring their gear meets the demands of professional audio work.
Class-A Circuitry
Burl Audio employs Class-A circuitry throughout their designs. Class-A circuits are known for their clean and accurate signal reproduction, minimizing distortion and preserving audio fidelity. This commitment to high-quality components ensures the nuances of your recordings are captured and reproduced faithfully. The B4 unit exemplifies this commitment, bringing studio-quality sound to live performance settings.
High-Performance Conversion
Digital audio conversion is a critical process, and Burl Audio excels in this area. Their converters capture the full dynamic range and detail of audio signals with minimal artifacts. This focus on high-performance conversion ensures that your recordings translate accurately from the analog to the digital realm and back. The Burl BLACK product line offers a higher channel count at accessible price points without sacrificing this crucial conversion quality.
Analog Character in Digital Gear
While working in the digital domain, Burl Audio manages to retain the desirable characteristics of analog sound. Their converters, like the B2 Bomber, are known for adding a pleasing analog warmth and character to recordings. This is a difficult balance to achieve, but it’s a hallmark of Burl Audio’s design philosophy. This approach allows you to enjoy the precision and flexibility of digital recording while still capturing the rich, full-bodied sound often associated with analog equipment.
Key Features of Burl Audio Gear
Class-A Design
Burl Audio prioritizes sound quality above all else. Their Class-A circuit designs aren’t about sterile accuracy, but imbuing a distinct sonic character. This focus on musicality, rather than pure transparency, is a core element of the Burl Audio philosophy. It’s about shaping your sound in a pleasing way, not just capturing it.
BX3 and BX2 Transformers
Burl Audio’s custom transformers play a crucial role in their signature sound. The BX3 input and BX2 output transformers, found in products like the B1 microphone preamplifier, contribute to the warm, full-bodied character of Burl Audio gear. These transformers help saturate the signal pleasantly, adding harmonic richness and depth. This gives recordings a more analog-like feel, often sought after by musicians and engineers.
Customizable Options
Burl Audio understands that different studios have different needs. Their flagship product, the B80 Mothership, offers a modular design. This allows users to configure their system with the specific modules they need, whether analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, or summing amplifiers. This adaptable approach makes the B80 Mothership suitable for a wide range of workflows and studio setups.
Pro Design
Developed by recording engineers for recording engineers, Burl Audio designs its products in a real-world studio environment. This practical approach ensures that their gear meets the demands of professional audio production. The company’s focus on real-world usability translates to intuitive interfaces and robust performance, making their products reliable tools for demanding professionals.
Build Quality
Burl Audio has a reputation for building exceptionally durable gear. Their products are designed to withstand the rigors of daily studio use, ensuring long-term reliability. This commitment to quality construction, combined with excellent customer service, makes Burl Audio a trusted choice for audio professionals who demand the best.
Comparing Burl Audio
Sound
Burl Audio converters are known for their distinct analog character. This “coloring” of the sound, often described as adding warmth and depth, is generally considered a plus, especially when mixing. Sound on Sound notes that mixes processed through Burl converters tend to gel together smoothly, sounding deeper and wider than what you’d typically get from less expensive converters. This characteristic makes Burl gear a favorite among professionals who appreciate its unique sonic signature.
Build and Reliability
Designed by recording engineers for recording engineers, Burl Audio prioritizes robust construction. The company’s products are built to withstand the demands of professional studio environments. Burl Audio develops its gear in a working commercial studio, ensuring practicality and durability. Tape Op has praised the quality of Burl’s mic preamps, summing amps, and monitor controllers, further solidifying the brand’s reputation for reliability.
Price vs. Performance
Burl Audio equipment sits at the higher end of the pro audio market. However, the company has introduced the Burl Black line, offering more channels at a lower price per channel compared to the Burl Green line. This makes Burl’s renowned conversion quality more accessible. While still an investment, the performance delivered by Burl gear, as highlighted by retailers like Vintage King, justifies the cost for many professionals. Discussions on GearSpace around the Burl Mothership 3 further emphasize the brand’s position in the high-end market.
Studio Versatility
Burl Audio products prioritize sound quality over strict transparency. KMR Audio emphasizes this focus on sonic character. This characteristic makes Burl gear suitable for various studio applications, from tracking and mixing to mastering. The B1 mic pre, for example, complements other Burl products like the B2 Bomber ADC and B80 Mothership, offering a cohesive and versatile signal chain. Burl Audio highlights the multi-channel capabilities of the B1, showcasing its adaptability for larger studio setups.
Where to Buy Burl Audio
Finding the right retailer is an important step when purchasing professional audio equipment. Whether you prefer browsing online or the in-person experience of a physical store, several options exist for buying Burl Audio gear.
Authorized Dealers
Burl Audio works with a network of authorized dealers around the world. Purchasing from an authorized dealer ensures you’re getting authentic Burl Audio products, often with added benefits like warranties and customer support. Check the Burl Audio website for a list of dealers in your area. This can be especially helpful for those who prefer to see and hear the equipment before committing to a purchase.
Online Retailers
If online shopping is more your speed, several online retailers carry Burl Audio products. Shopping online lets you compare prices and read reviews from other customers. You can often find Burl Audio gear at major online retailers specializing in professional audio equipment.
Vintage King Audio
Vintage King Audio is a well-known retailer for professional audio equipment, and they stock a wide selection of Burl Audio converters and preamps. They often offer perks like free shipping and extended warranties.
Sweetwater
Sweetwater is another reputable online retailer known for its extensive inventory of professional audio gear, including Burl Audio products. They are often praised for their customer service and technical support, which can be valuable when investing in high-end audio equipment.
Funky Junk
For those in the UK, Funky Junk offers a variety of Burl Audio products. Their website allows you to browse their current stock and compare different models. Note that prices on Funky Junk are listed in British Pounds.
What Customers Say About Burl Audio
Knowing what other audio professionals think about a brand like Burl Audio is essential before investing in their products. Here’s a summary of professional reviews, user testimonials, and common feedback.
Professional Reviews
Reviewers consistently praise Burl Audio’s commitment to sound quality and robust construction. A Tape Op review of the B32 Vancouver mix bus states, “Burl Audio is making great-sounding, well-built gear, and their customer service is fantastic.” Sound on Sound highlights the “distinctly analog character” of the B2 Bomber converters, appreciating their beneficial sonic coloring across many applications. This focus on musicality, rather than purely sterile conversion, is a recurring theme.
User Testimonials
Users often echo the sentiments of professional reviewers. Testimonials on Trustburn emphasize the importance of shared experiences. Music Connection Magazine notes that Burl Audio’s gear is “designed in a commercial recording studio, by professional recording engineers, for recording engineers.” This user-centric design philosophy resonates with many professionals.
Common Praise and Criticism
Burl Audio is widely recognized for its high-end products catering to professional audio users, as noted by Vintage King Audio. The premium quality is consistently lauded, though the price point can be prohibitive for some. However, many users feel the investment is justified by the sonic performance and build quality. Gathering and analyzing this feedback is crucial for any company looking to understand its strengths and weaknesses.
Setting Up Your Burl Audio Gear
Studio Integration
Burl Audio equipment is designed by recording engineers, for recording engineers, within a professional studio environment. This professional focus ensures the gear meets the high standards of studio use, making it simpler for engineers to achieve their desired sound. Burl Audio offers a range of devices, including the B1 & B1D 500 Series preamplifiers, the B2 Bomber ADC & DAC stereo converters, and a modular converter. This variety offers flexibility for various studio setups and recording needs. You can purchase Burl Audio products from authorized retailers.
Performance Tips
The B1 Mic Preamp delivers warmth, depth, and clarity—qualities crucial for high-quality recordings, especially for vocals and acoustic instruments. The B2 Bomber converters are designed for musicality, adding a distinct analog character that colors the sound, often beneficially for many applications. This characteristic enhances the overall quality of recordings, making it a valuable addition to any studio.
Support and Resources
Vintage King offers special pricing and financing for Burl Audio products, which can be helpful for studios investing in high-quality gear. They also encourage customers to contact them for assistance with orders, especially during busy periods. This customer support ensures users can get the help they need when setting up their new equipment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Burl Audio equipment stand out? Burl Audio gear is known for its distinct analog character, often described as warm and full. This comes from their use of custom-designed transformers and Class-A circuitry. While they work within the digital domain, their products retain desirable analog qualities, making them popular for professionals seeking a specific sound.
Is Burl Audio gear suitable for home studios? While Burl Audio equipment is favored by high-end professional studios, some of their products, like the B2 Bomber or the B1 Mic Preamp, can be valuable additions to a well-equipped home studio. Consider your budget and whether the sonic characteristics of Burl align with your recording needs.
What is the B80 Mothership and why is it popular? The B80 Mothership is a modular converter system. Its flexibility allows you to customize the channel count and connectivity options, making it adaptable for studios that anticipate future expansion or require a highly specialized setup. You can configure it with various modules to fit your exact needs.
Where can I purchase Burl Audio products? Burl Audio has a network of authorized dealers worldwide. You can find a list on their website. Several online retailers also carry their products, offering options for comparing prices and reading customer reviews.
What is the general price range for Burl Audio equipment? Burl Audio products are considered high-end professional audio equipment, and their prices reflect that. While they offer a more budget-friendly Black line, expect a significant investment. Research specific product prices through authorized dealers or online retailers.
