Locomotive Audio L72P-2 Two-Channel Tube Microphone Preamp
The Locomotive Audio L72P-2 delivers two channels of classic V72-style tube preamp tone in a modern, professional studio format. Inspired by the legendary German broadcast console amplifier modules of the 1950s and 1960s, the L72P-2 is designed to capture the solid low end, thick creamy midrange, smooth top end, and unmistakable musical character that made the original V72 circuit one of the most respected preamp designs in recording history.
Built for engineers, producers, and mix professionals who want authentic vintage-inspired tone with modern flexibility, the L72P-2 combines house-wound input and output transformers, a carefully recreated plate choke, flexible gain control, dedicated line input operation, and reliable modern tube options. The result is a two-channel tube preamp that can be used for tracking, stereo recording, line-level processing, and adding classic German console weight and depth to modern productions.
At the heart of the Locomotive Audio L72P-2 are its custom input transformer, output transformer, and plate choke. Locomotive Audio identifies these three components as the most important elements in recreating the vintage V72 sound, because much of the coloration in this low-distortion amplifier comes from the transformer and choke design. The house-wound transformers and plate choke are designed to deliver punchy, solid lows, rich low-mids, smooth highs, and the organic saturation associated with classic German tube preamps.
The L72P-2 offers up to 54 dB of gain in precise 4 dB steps, giving it more range and flexibility than the original vintage modules, which provided 34 dB of gain. A 5-position rotary output attenuator allows the final output level to be adjusted in 2 dB increments, making it easier to drive the preamp for tone while keeping the output level controlled in the rest of your signal chain.
For modern studio workflows, the L72P-2 includes dedicated line input XLR connectors. This allows you to send audio out of the box and through the L72P-2 as a tone-shaping line amplifier, without the risk of phantom power being applied to the line-level source. This makes the L72P-2 equally useful during tracking and mixing, whether you are recording microphones or adding vintage-inspired tube character to already recorded signals.
Instead of using increasingly rare EF86 or EF804 pentode tubes, the L72P-2 uses two 6922/E88CC dual triode tubes in a cascode arrangement. This design was chosen to replicate the response of pentode tubes while avoiding the noise, microphonics, scarcity, and cost issues often associated with vintage pentode options. The L72P-2 is fine-tuned around 6922/E88CC tubes, while also allowing the use of other common dual triode tubes such as 12AU7.
The stock L72P-2 ships with the “S” configured input transformer, which provides a slightly flatter high-frequency response compared to the non-“S” broadcast-style input transformer. The difference is subtle, but gives users a choice between two historically inspired voicings. A non-“S” input transformer option is available for those who prefer the alternative response, and a user-selectable circuit board jumper allows the input transformer load resistance to be changed from 400k ohms to 200k ohms.
Whether used on vocals, drums, acoustic instruments, bass, guitars, synthesizers, stereo sources, or mix processing, the Locomotive Audio L72P-2 is built for users who want two channels of genuine V72-style tube character with the practical features required in today’s studio. With its authentic transformer and choke design, extended gain range, dedicated line input mode, output attenuation, tube flexibility, and lifetime warranty, the L72P-2 is a serious choice for anyone looking for the classic German console preamp sound.
Key Features
- Two-channel V72-style tube microphone preamp
- Inspired by classic German broadcast console amplifier modules
- Designed to deliver solid lows, thick creamy mids, and smooth highs
- House-wound input transformers, output transformers, and plate chokes
- Up to 54 dB of gain in 4 dB steps
- More gain flexibility than the original 34 dB vintage modules
- 5-position rotary output attenuator
- Output level control in 2 dB increments
- Dedicated line input XLR connectors
- Designed for line-level processing without risk of phantom power being applied
- Two 6922/E88CC dual triode tubes in cascode arrangement
- Compatible with other common dual triode options such as 12AU7
- Stock “S” configured input transformer
- Optional non-“S” input transformer version
- User-selectable 400k / 200k input transformer load resistance jumper
- Low-distortion amplifier design with transformer and choke-based coloration
- Lifetime warranty
