The Lauren Audio Mustang V2 is a preamp stompbox emulating the Neve 1073, the channel strip Delicious Audio calls "the most legendary" in recording studio history. It is a class-A overdrive based on that circuit, built to bring console-style gain and harmonic saturation to a pedalboard, sitting alongside other preamp pedals and overdrive pedals1.
What it does to your sound
Because it is modeled on a studio preamp rather than a guitar pedal, the Mustang V2 covers an unusually wide range. Delicious Audio describes it as allowing "a soaring, searing overdrive typically unattainable by its studio brethren," while rolling down the harmonics gives "a smooth, classy tone similar to a studio preamp"1. In practice that means the same box can push an amp into saturated lead tones or act as a clean-ish tone-shaping preamp, depending on where the controls are set.
Controls
The pedal's three main controls each shape a different part of the gain structure1:
- Sensitivity: provides most of the gain and input level, fed by a JFET front end that offers a high impedance input and delivers a healthy signal to the control
- Gain: a modified gain control that, together with the feedback, shapes the harmonic content
- Feedback: variable feedback lets the player control the harmonic content along with tone
All three are "tuned by metal knobs for rough use," so the hardware is built to survive life on a board1.
Circuit and build
The circuit follows the Neve 1073 design closely enough that the transistors matter: the Mustang V2 uses Philips BC109C transistors, the type spec'd in the original Neve documents1. Power comes from an internal voltage multiplier that supplies the circuit with 24V, "like the classic rack unit," which Delicious Audio says delivers "incredible headroom"1. Connections are handled by Pure-Tone and Lumberg jacks, and switching is "a high quality true bypass switch"1.
The circuit is based on the Neve 1073, the studio channel strip Lauren Audio describes as "the most legendary channel strip." Unlike a studio preamp, the pedal is built for overdrive: rolling back its harmonics gives a smooth, classy tone closer to a studio preamp1.
The custom chassis carries a UV print by pedal artist Nick Smith, and is an homage to the iconic car and warplane that share the Mustang name1.
Videos
Demos In The Dark
Questions
Is the Lauren Audio Mustang V2 true bypass?
Yes. According to Delicious Audio, switching on the Mustang V2 is handled by a high quality true bypass switch, so when the pedal is off your guitar's signal passes to the amp without going through the circuit.
What is the Neve 1073 and why is it copied in pedals?
The Neve 1073 is a studio channel strip widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed preamps ever made, and the Mustang V2 is described as a preamp stompbox emulating it. The pedal aims to bring that console-style gain and harmonic character to a guitar board, using the Philips BC109C transistors spec'd in the original Neve documents.
Does the Mustang V2 run on 9V?
The pedal runs from a standard external supply, but the circuit itself does not run at 9V: an internal voltage multiplier supplies the circuit with 24V, like the classic rack unit, which Delicious Audio says delivers considerable headroom.
What does the sensitivity control do on the Mustang V2?
The sensitivity control provides most of the gain and input level. A JFET front end offers a high impedance input and delivers a healthy signal to the sensitivity control, so it works much like the input gain stage of a studio preamp.
What transistors does the Mustang V2 use?
The Mustang V2 uses Philips BC109C transistors, the type spec'd in the original Neve documents, according to Delicious Audio.
Sources (1)
- Lauren Audio Mustang V2 Preamp, Delicious Audio, 2022-09-30