The 1073 is a highly sought-after Class A mic preamp known for its unique, thick and warm sound. Few pieces of equipment in the vast realm of audio engineering hold the mythical status that the 1073 preamp and EQ do. Revered for its unparalleled sonic character, this timeless piece of gear has become a staple in the music industry and left a mark on the soundscapes of millions of recordings.

Sonimus created the Burnley 73 to emulate this classic sound and deliver it straight to your DAW. The Burnley 73 closely emulates the original EQ bands and the unique character of the 1073’s line and microphone inputs.

This plugin delivers this classic preamp’s warmth, openness, and analogue sound with additional operational features. Let’s explore the magical world of EQing vocals with Burnley 73, and discover how it can help shape your music.

Shaping Vocal Sound

The Burnley 73 is simple yet effective. It consists of a parametric high-pass filter, and a three-band section. Within this section you’ll find a fixed 10kHz high shelf, a semi-parametric midrange, and a semi-parametric low-frequency band.

The musical filter from Burnley makes it easy to clean the vocals from any rumble in order to create a more focused performance. Depending on the type of vocals, you could try setting the filter at 80 or even 160Hz.

The Burnley 73’s high-frequency shelf at 10kHz is a magic wand for adding brilliance and air to vocal recordings. By delicately boosting this band, you can bring out shimmering details in a singer’s voice, elevating the performance to new heights.

Burnley’s midrange band provides a sweet spot for shaping the warmth and presence of vocals. This band allows engineers to enhance the body and character of a singer’s voice. You can experiment by boosting at 360Hz, 1.6Hz, or 3.2kHz to increase the vocal’s presence, or intelligibility, depending on the singer’s timbre. It can also serve to clean the vocals by removing roomy sounds by cutting 700Hz.

The low-frequency band, selectable between 35Hz and 220Hz, gives engineers the power to sculpt the depth and weight of vocals. Boosting 220Hz is a good starting point for making vocals sound fuller and solid, ensuring they sit comfortably within the mix.

Bring them to the front

Finally, Burnley’s input section is the icing on top. Choosing between line and mic, you can dial the perfect amount of saturation for your vocals. You can make them aggressive by boosting the mic input, or add the characteristic 1073 tone by increasing its line level. The output knob allows you to drive the vocal signal without changing its gain structure, while bringing it to the front of your mix.

Whether working with a seasoned professional or a rising star, the Burnley 73 is the perfect tool for shaping an inspiring vocal sound.

Do you use Burnley 73 in your mixes?

Do you apply any of these techniques in your vocal track?

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