Cranborne Audio Camden EC2 - Two Channel Preamp, Signal Processor, and Dual Headphone Mixer

Award Winning Pedigree

Based on the award-winning Camden 500 Preamp and Signal Processor for the 500 series lunchbox format, Camden EC2 combines the sonic capabilities of one of the markets cleanest and most transparent preamps with the flexibility of a standalone, 1u, 19” chassis that can integrate into any recording setup with or without 500 series connectivity.

Featuring two discrete instances of Cranborne Audio’s ‘Camden’ preamp topology, Camden EC2 achieves unprecedented low-noise and low-distortion performance as well as frequency and phase linearity at all gain settings. 

Use Camden EC2 to capture your audio sources with complete transparency; boost low-sensitivity microphones without adding noise and colouration; and capture instant and coherent transients without phase shifts that cause summing abnormalities.

Camden EC2’s preamps exhibit performance specifications that rival (and in most cases, exceed) the most revered ‘transparent’ preamps on the market. -129.8dB EIN (150Ohm, unweighted), THD+N of <0.00025% ((1kHz, 35dB Gain, +24dBu out), frequency response of ±1dB from 5Hz to 200kHz (max gain) and <6° phase shift from 20Hz to 20kHz (max gain).

The 12-way rotary Gain switches for each preamp provide perfect stereo matching for stereo mic’ing setups and it’s dedicated mic, line, and hi-z input modes allows Camden EC2 to not only become your go-to mic preamp, but also a line level saturator and dual-channel DI thanks to dedicated ¼” jack Link outputs for each channel.

Vintage Persona

Using it’s Mojo analogue saturation controls, Camden EC2’s preamps transform from extraordinarily clean, natural, and precise sounding, into thick, gooey, and vintage-sounding preamps at the turn of a dial.

With two discrete Mojo styles, Camden EC2 takes on the persona of vintage transformer-based preamps using its Thump Mojo or gooey tube-based preamps using its Cream Mojo. 

Unlike transformer or valve-based preamps, Mojo’s saturation is completely variable allowing you to dial-in the amount of saturation you need for each source. Keep it at 3-4 for authentic preamp THD or crank it up to 11 for a more exaggerated effect.

Perhaps most crucially and unlike transformer-based preamps, when you need something clean and transparent for a particular session/source, Mojo can be completely bypassed and removed from the signal using the pots’ built-in, true-bypass switch to reveal the true clarity of the Camden preamp design.

Record using Mojo to apply instant analogue colouration or sources through the Mojo to add analogue, vintage colouration onto your DAW tracks or stereo bus during the mix phase.

Advanced Tracking And Reamping Tool

Two reference-quality headphone amplifiers with independant line mixers allow for direct monitoring of both Camden preamps using headphones connected directly to Camden EC2’s front panel. 

Monitor the preamp signals directly using headphones during mic placement to find the sweet spot of the instrument/source or create zero-latency artist mixes by combining the preamps with external playback from the Aux Input jacks on Camden EC2’s rear panel.

With its extraordinary hi-z circuit and dedicated ¼” jack Link outputs for each channel, Camden EC2 is the perfect tool for reamping bass and electric guitars. 

Simply connect your instrument to one preamp using its hi-z input, connect the ¼” Link output of that preamp to your instrument amplifier/effects pedal, and capture that signal using the second preamp. With both the dry DI and wet amplified signals recorded simultaneously using both preamps on Camden EC2, you can process the affected signal further or reamp the dry DI signal at a later date.

C.A.S.T. Enabled

Camden EC2 also utilises Cranborne Audio’s unique C.A.S.T. system for distributing audio around the studio or stage using affordable Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cabling whilst achieving the highest sonic results. 

Camden EC2 features two C.A.S.T. ports that are designed for use in two different ways.

Connect it’s C.A.S.T. Output to Cranborne Audio’s 500R8 or 500ADAT, and you can send Camden EC2’s preamps directly to the interface's inputs ready for further processing and recording. Whilst at the same time through the same cable, 500R8/500ADAT transmit their built-in monitor mix directly to Camden EC2’s headphone mixer for monitoring. 

This allows 500R8/500ADAT users to relocate their Camden preamps and headphone amps into the live room using a single Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cable whilst freeing-up 500 series slots in 500R8/500ADAT for more EQ and Compressor modules and extra processing before hitting 500R8/500ADAT’s converters.

Connect Camden EC2’s C.A.S.T. IN port to Cranborne Audio’s N22 or N22H and you have a cost-effective analogue snake - use N22 or N22H to easily relocate Camden EC2’s preamp inputs to a remote location such as a vocal booth, live room, hallway, or reverb chamber using Cat 5e as cheap, high-quality, analogue multicore.

Meticulously Designed and Engineered In The UK

With an abundance of I/O available, Camden EC2 facilitates the maximum amount of flexibility with all 3rd party audio interfaces and recorders by including dedicated XLR outputs, Impedance balanced 1/4” jack outputs, and Link outputs when using Camden EC2 as a DI.

So much more than two Camden 500’s in a metal box, Camden EC2 is another Cranborne Audio product engineered and designed under the team’s watchful eyes. Camden EC2 features elite audio specifications and application-based features that defies its price tag and is accessible for professional, project, and home studio engineers.

Key Features

• Two discrete mic/line/hi-z preamps featuring the award-winning ‘Camden’ topology from the Camden 500 Preamp and Signal Processor for 500 series
  
  

• Audio performance at the near-theoretical limits of noise, distortion, and phase/frequency linearity at all gain settings

• EIN: <-129.5dBu, 150 Ohm source, unweighted, <-135.5dBu, Inputs common, unweighted

• THD+N: <0.00025% (1kHz, 35dB gain, +24dBu out)

• Intermodulation Distortion: <0.0006% (50Hz and 7kHz, 35dB gain, +20dBu out),

• Phase Shift: <2.75° (20Hz to 20kHz, 40dB gain), <6° (20Hz to 20kHz, max gain)

• Freq. Response: ±0.7dB (<1 Hz to >1000 kHz, 35dB gain), ±1dB (<5 Hz to >200 kHz, max gain)
  
  

• Unique bicolour 48v status LED

• 48v LED Lights Orange to indicate voltage charging or dissipating to prevent damage to ribbon microphones and to ensure voltage is fully charged before use

• 48v LED lights RED when voltage is fully charged and ready to use
  
  

• Two instances of ‘Mojo’ analogue saturation circuits with variable control, true bypass, and 2 discrete styles - Thump and Cream

• Thump excites low-end content by boosting lower odd/even harmonics from a range of 160Hz to 20Hz and below

• Cream boosts odd/even harmonics whilst also reducing the amplitude of the fundamental frequencies and applying typical transformer-style transient taming
  
  

• Two discrete headphone mixers with independant CH 1, CH 2, and Aux Input level controls

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