Detail 01
Mic/line input
Takes a microphone or a line-level source, so you can also run mixes and synths through it for color.
Product detailSKU #1313854583750
API512c Discrete Mic/Line Preamp
1/2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
API's 512c mic/line preamp in 500-series format. A front end for tracking when you want the sound in the recording, not added later.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Tracking drums, guitars, and vocals with front-end color
- Feeding an interface that only has thin onboard preamps
- Adding an API channel to an existing 500-series rack
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Anyone without a 500-series chassis and power supply
- Engineers wanting a clean, transparent, uncolored preamp
- Multi-channel tracking on a budget — it's one channel
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Discrete circuit
Discrete transistors instead of op-amp chips. This is what gives the punch on transients rather than a flat, neutral capture.
Detail 03
500-series module
A card, not a standalone unit. You provide the rack, power, and I/O.
Detail 04
Preamp, not a channel strip
Gain only — no EQ or compression on board. Pair it with something like the 550A if you want tone shaping.
Detail 05
Single channel
One mic at a time. Stereo pairs, drum overheads, or multi-mic setups need multiple modules.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01No 500-series chassis or power supply included — budget for that separately.
- 02One channel only. Stereo requires two modules and two slots.
- 03No EQ or compression on board; this is a preamp only.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Do I need a rack to use this?
Yes. It's a 500-series module with no power supply of its own. You need a 500-series chassis.
02Is this one channel or two?
One. Stereo recording needs two modules.
03Does it have EQ?
No. The 512c is a mic/line preamp — gain only. API's 550A is the EQ module if you want both in the rack.
04Can I run a line source through it?
Yes. It takes both mic and line level, so synths, guitars through a DI, or mix stems can go through it for color.
