The Launcher Deluxe

The Launcher Deluxe is a two-channel version of the original Launcher inline preamp. Each channel has its own signal path with two custom hand-wound toroidal transformers, four in total, and an analog circuit that adds saturation. The amount of colour depends on how hard the connected preamp is driven.

Each channel has two modes. In Launcher Mode the unit adds 26 dB of gain for dynamic and ribbon microphones and runs on phantom power from the preamp, mixer or interface it is connected to. In Saturate Mode there is no gain boost and no phantom power is needed for the unit itself. It can colour condenser mics, other active mics and line-level sources, and phantom power for a condenser passes through to the mic.

The mic cable plugs into one of two Neutrik combo jacks on the front, and an XLR cable runs from the back to a mic preamp, mixer or audio interface. The compact case suits studio, stage, podcast and travel use, and the unit can be placed anywhere in a signal chain.