Class-A Transformer Preamp

LAM16

A 96kHz neural model of the legendary Langevin AM16 — the Class-A transformer preamp behind the sound of classic records.

VST3AUAAXmacOSWindows
incl. 3 activations

Full-version trial for 15 days · 3 activations · Free updates

LAM16 plugin interface — teal Drive faceplate with Tone, OVD and Zener controls, I/O trims and meters

See it in action

Walkthrough & demos

Overview & walkthrough

In action

Capitol Records' secret weapon

Before plugins, before consoles as we know them — there was a Class-A transformer preamp that made everything sound like a record.

The LAM16 faithfully recreates the circuit topology of the legendary Langevin AM16 — Class-A, transformer-balanced, discrete transistor. The architecture behind the tube-like "air", musical harmonic richness and analog weight of classic recordings.

Well-balanced across the spectrum with exceptional top-end clarity. Push it and it turns beefy and harmonically rich — fast, punchy, alive.

Turntable playing a classic record in warm light

Hear the difference

Before and after, on real material

Toggle between dry and processed audio while it plays.

Full Mix
Drums
Vocals
Bass
Guitars

What's inside

Class-A character,
neural precision.

LAM16 hardware render — macro of the Drive knob on the teal faceplate

Class-A transformer design

Transformer-balanced input and output around a Class-A discrete circuit — the iconic architecture behind tube-like air, smooth harmonic enhancement and analog cohesion.

DriveAuto-GainMix
Modern control room with monitors

96kHz neural engine

A neural model trained on the original hardware at 96kHz. Intelligent auto-oversampling upsamples 48kHz sessions 2× so the model always runs at full resolution.

Auto-OS2× upsampling
Hand on mixer with red drive knobs

Zener & Overdrive modes

The Zener diode circuit adds edge, presence and analog grit. Overdrive takes the preamp into heavy saturation — serious attitude for drums and guitars.

OVDZener
LAM16 control panel — Drive and Tone controls

Complete control

Drive with auto-gain compensation, a musical tilt-style Tone control — left for warmth, right for air — plus I/O trims and high/low-pass filters.

DriveTone TiltI/O TrimHP / LP
Engineer tracking a vocalist through the studio glass

In session

The channel your DAW is missing

Producers run LAM16 where a console channel used to sit: first in the chain on vocals, drums and bass. Set the drive, tilt the tone, and the track arrives with weight and air already in place.

Tone Empire plugins running in a DAW session

Everywhere you work

VST3 · AU · AAX,
Apple Silicon native

Works in every major DAW — macOS (Apple Silicon & Intel) and Windows 10 and up. One license, three activations; online license activation.

Where it shines

Works on everything

Vocalist singing in a live room

Vocals

Open, airy top-end with tube-like warmth — life without harshness.

Drummer on a dark stage in red light

Drums & percussion

Punchy, beefy character on kicks and snares — push the drive for grit.

Guitarist and drummer in a rehearsal room

Guitars & keys

Classic studio sheen and musical saturation that sits in the mix.

Bass player at a live venue

Bass & synths

Harmonic weight and analog depth without muddiness.

Engineer at an analog console

Mix bus

Vintage console glue and analog cohesion — subtle warmth everywhere.

Bass amplifier close-up

Zener mode

Extra edge, presence and analog grit on demand.

Specifications

The fine print

TypeClass-A transformer preamp — 96kHz neural model
FormatsVST3, AU, AAX — 64-bit
macOSApple Silicon & Intel i5 or later
WindowsWindows 10 or later
ControlsDrive, Tone Tilt, Mix, OVD, Zener, I/O Trims, HP/LP Filters
ProcessingIntelligent auto-oversampling (2× at 48kHz)
License3 activations · online activation required
Trial15-day full version, no feature limits

Try before you buy

The demo is the full plugin for 15 days — track with it, mix with it, decide with your ears.

Three activations

Studio, laptop and one to spare. No dongles, no subscriptions.

Instant delivery

License and installers arrive by email the moment checkout completes.

LAM16 plugin icon

Give every track the Class-A treatment