AudioChainsDB

Radial EngineeringMcBoost

intermediate

New retail price (MSRP)

$199

Used market: $165*

Check price at ThomannManufacturer datasheet

Specifications

2 of 7 values have a recorded source
Type
inline_booster·
Inserted gain
26✓
Input connector
3-Pin XLR Female·
Output connector
3-Pin XLR Male·
Description
Booster with a switchable load: 600 Ω / 2.7 kΩ / 30 kΩ. Gain is +26 dB full, +20 dB half, or +4 to +25 dB variable; output impedance 220 Ω, clip level +16 dBu, response <7 Hz to >30 kHz.·
Needs phantom power
yes✓
Indexable Locales
en·

Expert Audio Engineering Commentary

Gain staging

The load switch matters more than the gain switch. A ribbon into 600 Ω sounds dull and loses level; the same ribbon into 30 kΩ opens up. Set the load first, then the gain.

Production Warning

Powered from 48 V phantom, built for dynamic and ribbon microphones. Radial's specification sheet does not state whether phantom passes through, so assume it does not: do not put a condenser behind it.

Setups using this gear

* Estimated with the depreciation fallback (~83% retained value).