Chandler Limited TG2 Pre Amp/DI Chandler Limited

The Chandler Limited TG2 preamp/DI is a two-channel, all-discrete recreation of the rare EMI TG12428 preamp used in EMI/Abbey Road recordings in the late 60s and early 70s, with summing, output level control, and switchable impedance.  

After the invention of the transistor and the near disappearance of tubes, EMI engineers set about the task of replacing the REDD tube consoles with solid-state desks, such as the TG12345. The task at hand involved making solid-state designs as rich-sounding and warm as the tube consoles. The result was the EMI TG12428 preamp used in EMI/Abbey Road recording and mastering consoles in the late 60s and early 70s. The Chandler Limited TG2 Pre Amp/DI is a recreation of that rare EMI preamp. A favorite among the masters of recording heavy guitars, the TG2 is known for its rich midrange and punch, complemented by an open and clear high end, with a touch of distortion to bring sounds forward in a mix without the need for EQ. While the TG12428 was an integral part of the signal chain for recording sessions at Abbey Road, including The Beatles’ Abbey Road and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, the Chandler Limited TG2 has literally set the tone for modern recordings. 

Chandler Limited TG2 Pre Amp/DI – Just the Facts:

• High-impedance input for guitar, bass, and keyboards, etc.
• DI switch also functions as a mic-input mute
• Summing switch mixes signals from both channels enabling a shorter signal path
• Output control functions as a console fader
• Input gain control from 5dB to 75dB in 5dB steps
• Impedance switchable between 300 and 1,200 ohms
• phantom power (+48V), and phase reverse

Chandler Limited TG2 – Under the Hood

The Chandler TG2 is hand-wired and made with 100% discrete components, specially wound transformers, and precisely designed to match its vintage forebears. It features the same discrete transformer balanced amplifiers as the TG series limiter, offering a creamy, smooth tone with a surprisingly open, clear top end. The sound, as explained by many users, has “warmth” and punch, but with a “beautiful” expanded top end. In fact, the unit does have a small rise in its top-end frequency response and some warmth inducing distortion, which contributes to its sound.

Direct In – is an unbalanced high impedance input for guitar, bass, samples etc. The switch bypasses the mic transformer and feeds directly to the amplifier. The naturally high impedance of the amp causes no loading. The DI switch on the front panel can also be used as a mute switch when using the rear panel mic input.

Summing – mixes the signal from both channels, sending it to the output of the second channel. You can now bypass your console using great-sounding discrete circuits and maintain a minimal signal path.

Output – functioning as a console fader, this control is placed after the gain stage and before the output stage. This allows for trimming of the input signal between the 5dB steps on the input switch, as well as allowing the user to run the input very hot (for extra coloration) without distorting the recorder. In most cases, the output control will be left in the full position.

Input Gain Control – features a transformer-balanced input with 5-75dB of gain.

Impedance – allows for switching the input from 1200 ohm to 300-ohm values to match any mic.

The remaining controls on the familiar Royal Air Force blue front panel of the TG2 include 48-volt phantom power and phase reverse, which perform exactly as advertised on the tin. All TG units require and function on the PSU-1, Chandler Limited power supply. The PSU-1 has an internal switch for setting voltage to 120V or 220V (115V/230V).

Who’s using Chandler Limited:

• Jerry Finn (Blink 182, Green Day) Andy Smith (Paul Simon)
• Joe Barresi (Hole, Weezer)
• John Merchant (Bee Gees)
• Butch Vig (Nirvana, Garbage)
• Michael Wagener (Ozzy, Metallica)

What TG2 users are saying:

I wasn’t really in the market for a new preamp but based on the quality of Chandler Limited’s other products I asked for a demo unit. I have an assortment of what I considered to be the best mic pres ever made, but the sound I heard coming through the TG2 absolutely floored me. I bought the demo unit and ordered another two channels as well (this within one hour of first plugging it in). It has become my first choice for almost every application and I can’t imagine making a record without it. – Jerry Finn, (Producer- Green Day, Blink 182)

I found the preamp’s sound quality somewhere between an API 512 mic preamp and Neve’s 1272 amplifier as used in the 1073 and 1084 modules. You’ll find a whole new sonic world here: higher dynamic range than the Neve combined with API’s “harder, punchier” sound character. Doesn’t disappoint with a wide open sound. – Barry Rudolph (Hall & Oates, Rod Stewart, Natalie Cole)

Just a quick (belated) note to say thank you for the TG2 – wow! Spectacular sounding pre. I ran our bass player direct using the TG2 and the sound was amazing – crystal clear with full deep low freq response. I’ll be cutting vocal tracks with Barry tomorrow; I’m looking forward to hearing your pre with his U47. – John Merchant (Engineer- Bee Gees, Céline Dion)

Chandler Limited TG2 can be heard on:

Garbage – Not Your Kind Of People

Vocals: LTD-1 EQ/Pre Amp, Guitars: TG2 Pre Amp/DI, Drums: Mix of TG2 Pre Amp/DI, Germanium Pre Amp/DI, Germanium Tone Control, TG1 Limiter (Billy Bush)

Green Day – ¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tré!

TG Channel MK II, TG2 Pre Amp/DI, Germanium Pre, and Little Devil Colored Boost guitar pedal

Katy Perry – One Of The Boys

Vocals – TG2 Pre Amp/DI

Katy Perry – Teenage Dream

Vocals – TG2 Pre Amp/DI

Kings Of Leon – “Sex On Fire”�

TG1 Limiter, TG2 Pre Amp/DI

Maroon 5 – Red Pill Blues

Album – TG2 Preamp/DI, RS124 Compressor, REDD.47 Mic Amplifier, REDD Microphone, TG Microphone Cassette

Maroon 5 – Overexposed

Album – TG2 Preamp/DI, LTD-1 EQ/Pre Amp

Paul Simon – Surprise

The Strokes – Pink Martini

TG2, TG1, Curve Bender, Zener Limiter, Germanium compressor

White Stripes – Icky Thump

TG2, TG1, Zener Limiter, Germanium Compressor, Curve Bender (Joe Chiccarelli)

Add the smooth, creamy sound of the Chandler TG2 to your vocals and instruments, or even across an entire mix. For more information, call or chat online with your PAD Studio Specialist today – or order yours online now.

Specifications

• Channels: Dual Mono
• Circuit: Discrete, Transistor
• Gain: +5dB to +75dB
• Input Impedance: 1200 to 300 ohm
  

Connections

• I/O: XLR, transformer-balanced, pin 2 hot
• DI, 1/4″ unbalanced, 100k input impedance
• All connections transformer balanced pin 2 hot
  

Power

• Phantom power: +48v
• Power: ±28v
• Requires Chandler Limited PSU-1 MKII power supply