Rolls CL151 GLC Gate Limiter Compressor Microphone Preamp
Dial in a healthy level on your mic with the Rolls CL151. This compact one-channel mic preamp comes with a versatile built-in compressor.
Overall User Ratings (based on 21 ratings)
Submitted June 26, 2011 by a customer from swiftwireless.com
"Forget the noise-gate... but as a mic pre-amp this thing sounds great."
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Sound
I lucked out when I bought this over a year ago because I knew little about mic pre-amps and basically just bought the first thing I found. I've since tried others and keep coming back to the Rolls. I agree with other reviews that say that the noise-gate is useless, but if you just need a solid pre-amp with a little compression, this is a perfect choice.
Features
Came with AC/PS
Ease of Use
It's not intuitive to get dialed in (it's hard to even tell which knob does what from the front panel markings) but just fiddle with the controls until you find the sweet spot. I find it works best with just a little less than -10 dB of compression.
Quality
Solid metal case, and no problems in over a year. The knobs are exposed so I wouldn't want to drop it.
Value
This thing is cheap but sounds great!
The Wow Factor
There's nothing sexy about this product, but people with much more expensive equipment than mine ask me what kind of mic I'm using (it's an $80-100 AT-2020). It sounds great through the Rolls pre-amp with just a little compression dialed in.
Musical Background:
Songwriter
Musical Style:
Country/AC
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Submitted September 17, 2012 by Bob K in Summerville, SC
"Rolls CL151 GLC Mic Preamp"
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The Input, Compressor, and Output control section works well for the low price. But as far as the "Gate" section is concerned - if you're looking for an inexpensive way to "gate" or turn your mic off to avoid picking up any room ambient noise during those quiet moments in your recording - this is not what you want. The Gate does work, but not smoothly and regularly. The best way to describe that feature is, in the words of Colonel Potter - it's about as smooth as "a pig on stilts". But for the price, it is also a very good mic preamp with it's XLR connector, including Phantom Power supply.
Musical Background:
I started doing recordings in 1962 and worked in Radio,TV, and other audio and video areas since 1963.
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Submitted May 10, 2009
"Don't even waste your time with this"
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You get what you pay for (unless you get a refund! LOL!)
Sound
Sound was distorted, that is, once I figured out that the gate was cutting off my sound at the top. The gate was useless. Your attack is lost.
Ease of Use
Not very intuitive. Took some trial and error to make any sense out of it for me.
Quality
Cosmetically O.K. Built solid. Not flashy or fancy.
The Wow Factor
Had it and returned it. No want.
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