The Shadow Hills Mono GAMA Hammer Forged Black is a high end single channel 500 series microphone preamplifier that delivers exceptional detail, tonal flexibility and premium build quality. Designed around a custom discrete op amp, it provides maximum fidelity, fast transients and the powerful signature sound Shadow Hills is known for.
Design and Build Quality
The Mono GAMA Hammer Forged Black brings the authority and depth of the original GAMA preamp into the API 500 format. Its core is a hand built discrete op amp that ensures clarity, precision and musical warmth across the entire frequency range.
The transformer balanced input stage features a genuine Jensen input transformer for pristine signal integrity and extremely low noise. The construction showcases Shadow Hills’ renowned craftsmanship with engraved faceplates, custom machined knobs, a Swiss made 24 position gain attenuator and an engraved serial number plate.
Transformer Switching and Tonal Versatility
A key feature of the Mono GAMA series is its switchable output transformer section. Shadow Hills recreated their favourite classic transformers to deliver three unique tonal paths called Nickel, Discrete and Steel.
Nickel produces an open, refined high end with smooth extension. Discrete offers a transparent and detailed tone with natural midrange articulation. Steel provides a bold, punchy low end with rich harmonic character. All three options can be auditioned instantly without repatching, allowing fast and intuitive tone comparisons.
For the Hammer Forged Black, Shadow Hills introduces a fourth tone option called Stack, which blends the Nickel and Steel transformers for a combined character.
Comprehensive Features
The Mono GAMA includes all essential professional preamp functions, such as phantom power, phase reverse and a 20 dB pad. It also features a DI input with its own pad and phase reverse, ensuring perfect integration with instruments and line level sources. This flexibility makes it suitable for recording delicate vocals, dynamic instruments and everything in between with consistent high quality results.
Optimised for modern studios, the Shadow Hills Mono GAMA Hammer Forged Black offers premium sonic performance, advanced tone shaping and exceptional build quality within the 500 series format.```
