BAE Audio 1023L 500 Series Module

The BAE 1023L 500 Series Module is the deluxe version of a classic 1073‑style channel, repackaged into a three‑slot 500 Series format. It uses the same Class A mic/line preamp topology you would expect from a 1073, but couples it with a far more flexible EQ section that adds extra mid and high frequency points. The result is a compact module that still delivers the fat, warm and open British console tone, but with enough control to shape modern productions in detail.
 
Completely hand‑wired and built around Carnhill (St. Ives) transformers, the 1023L offers a harmonically rich low end, strong midrange presence and a sweet top end that never turns harsh. The 3‑band EQ combines a low shelf with ±16dB at 35Hz, 60Hz, 110Hz and 220Hz, and a high shelf with ±16dB at 10kHz, 12kHz, 16kHz, 20kHz and 24kHz. Between them sits an extended mid band featuring eleven selectable centres – 160Hz, 270Hz, 360Hz, 510Hz, 700Hz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, 4.8kHz, 7.2kHz, 8.2kHz and 10kHz – with ±12dB or ±18dB of peaking gain. This expanded mid and high range lets you “play” the mid bell against the overlapping low and high shelves for very natural, musical tone‑sculpting on vocals, guitars, drums and keys.
 
A steep 18dB‑per‑octave high‑pass filter with switchable cutoff at 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz and 300Hz helps you clean up rumble and low‑end mud before it ever hits your converters. On the front panel, the red Marconi gain knob toggles between mic and line ranges, while dedicated switches give you access to line/mic selection, 48 V phantom power, 1200/300 ohm mic impedance, DI input, EQ in/out and phase reverse. With up to 80 dB of gain, a wide 10Hz to 55kHz frequency response, low noise around -110 dBu EIN and serious headroom (+27 dBu into 600 ohms), the 1023L behaves like a full‑blown console channel tucked inside your 500 rack.
 
Because it occupies three adjacent 500 Series slots, the 1023L has the board space it needs for full‑size transformers and Class A discrete circuitry rather than compromised layouts. That makes it an ideal choice if you love what a 1073 does but want more mid and high flexibility for modern hybrid workflows, without sacrificing the feel and response of a real analogue channel strip.