Cranborne Audio Camden 500 – Microphone Preamp with Analog Mojo Saturation

The Cranborne Audio Camden 500 is a professional microphone/line preamp in the 500 series format, combining ultra-clean signal quality with the option of adding rich analog character. Designed and built in the UK by Cranborne Audio's engineering team, the Camden 500 offers performance at the theoretical limits of audio fidelity – with extremely low noise, inaudible distortion, and perfect phase and frequency linearity.

Precision engineering with no compromises

The fully discrete, transformerless topology achieves an EIN of -129.5 dBu, THD+N below 0.00025%, and a flat frequency response up to 200 kHz. Even at maximum gain, phase shift remains minimal, making the Camden 500 an exceptionally stable and accurate tool in any studio environment.

Analog character on demand – Mojo function

More than just clean sound, the Camden 500 includes an innovative Mojo circuit that adds analog saturation. Two styles – Thump and Cream – emulate transformer and tube warmth. Thump enhances low-end content by generating harmonics in the sub and bass ranges, while Cream provides musical smoothing and harmonic richness to midrange frequencies.

Mojo can be fine-tuned to taste or bypassed entirely using the true bypass feature, making the Camden 500 a versatile preamp suitable for clean vocal recording or creative tone shaping on guitars, bass, or percussion.

Flexible input options – Mic, Line, Instrument

The Camden 500 supports microphone, line, and Hi-Z instrument inputs. It offers up to 68 dB of gain for mic inputs and 63 dB for Hi-Z signals. Input impedance is optimized for each source type, ensuring compatibility with dynamic mics, external preamps, and electric instruments.

Visual feedback is provided via an RGB LED level meter with overload indication, and a unique 48V phantom power LED status system for safe use with sensitive ribbon microphones.

High-end specs at your fingertips

Key technical highlights include:

• Frequency response: ±0.25 dB from 5 Hz to 200 kHz
• Gain range: 8–68 dB (Mic), 0–60 dB (Line), 3–63 dB (Hi-Z)
• Input impedance: 8.9 kΩ (Mic), 24.3 kΩ (Line), 1.5–3 MΩ (Hi-Z)
• High-pass filter: 80 Hz, -3 dB, 12 dB/oct
• Intermodulation distortion: <0.0006%
• Maximum output level: +27.5 dBu

In the box & build quality

The package includes the Camden 500 module itself, fully compatible with all standard 500 series racks. Built in the UK using premium components, including gold-plated contacts for long-term conductivity and durability.

Why choose Camden 500?

If you're looking for a studio-grade preamp that can deliver transparent sound or rich analog tone with a twist of a knob, the Camden 500 is the perfect choice. It combines high-end fidelity with creative flexibility – a true front-end powerhouse for modern audio engineers.