VPRE-376
by Fuse Audio Labs · Saturation · Vintage broadcast preamp emulation
Not rated yet
VPRE-376 recreates a sought-after preamp module originally designed for broadcasting, modeling its audio transformers, class A preamp and driver circuitry.
It works as a coloration box from subtle to gritty, with drive, gain compensation, a high-pass filter and VU metering, for $39.
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitars. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: broadcast, metering, transformer, colored, gritty, subtle, hardware emulation, auto-gain, bass, drums, vintage, vocals, electric guitar, circuit-modelled, clean, mixing, moderate, single-band, utility, warm.
What it does
VPRE-376 recreates "a sought after preamp module" first designed for broadcasting. Fuse Audio Labs pitches it as a coloration box for individual tracks, from subtle warmth to grit.
- Circuit model: audio transformers plus the discrete class A preamplifier and driver circuitry are emulated.
- Drive: continuous drive with automatic gain compensation, so you can push the preamp without big jumps in output level.
- Trim: a linear output trim for setting the final level.
- High-pass filter: built in for cleaning up low end before the signal leaves the plugin.
- Phase: polarity inversion, handy when lining up multi-miked sources.
- Metering: a VU meter.
The current version is 2.7.
Source: Fuse Audio Labs product page
When to use it
VPRE-376 is a cheap, focused preamp colour box with a high-pass filter and a VU meter, and nothing else to get in the way. Compared with Decapitator, it has a much narrower range of tones and no distortion styles, but it stays cleaner and more natural, closer to a channel strip input. Next to the Black Box HG-2 it is simpler and costs a fraction of the price, with transistor and transformer colour rather than tube saturation. Unlike Universal Audio's Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Collection, it has no EQ bands, so it pairs with a separate EQ.
- Best for: adding subtle to gritty transformer colour to vocals, drums, bass and guitars, one track at a time.
- Genres: any style; it fits rock, pop and acoustic recordings that want a vintage console feel.
- Look elsewhere if: you need EQ bands along with the preamp, or heavy creative distortion; Decapitator or a channel strip will do more.
- Tip: compare at matched level when adjusting drive, so loudness doesn't bias the judgement (Midi Audio Expert).
What producers say
The one full review found calls it a successful take on a cult broadcast preamp that is worth keeping close at hand.
- Midi Audio Expert identified the model as the V376 preamp and praised its clean broadcast character, readable transients and the mild compression that appears as you push Drive; it found the high-pass filter "cleans without thinning".
- Usage tips: the review suggests raising the high-pass cutoff until the source loses body, then backing it off slightly.
Where to buy
- Fuse Audio Labs: $39
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