# Chandler Limited TG2 Pre Amp/DI ## Overview The Chandler Limited TG2 Pre Amp/DI is a recreation of the rare EMI TG12428 preamp used in EMI/Abbey Road recording and mastering consoles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This preamp was used on many famous recordings done at Abbey Road including The Beatles' "Abbey Road" and Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." The TG2 features discrete transformer-balanced amplifiers and offers a creamy, smooth tone with a surprisingly open, clear top end. It's particularly known for its ability to add musical harmonic distortion and vintage character to recordings. **Abbey Road Special Edition:** The TG2 Abbey Road SE is a limited edition version with enhanced specifications and Abbey Road branding, representing the pinnacle of Chandler's EMI/Abbey Road recreation series. ## Key Features - **Dual-channel design** - Two independent preamp channels in a single rack unit - **Variable input drive** - Input control allows driving the preamp from clean to saturated - **Transformer-coupled** - Uses same transformers as original EMI TG series - **DI input** - Built-in direct input for instruments - **Impedance options** - Multiple mic input impedance settings - **External power supply** - PSU-1 powers up to two Chandler units ## Sound Character The TG2 has a distinctive sonic signature that blends classic warmth with modern clarity: - **Neve-like warmth with "nicer" top end** - Combines the roundness and punch of Neve preamps with a more present, expanded high frequency response - **Low-mid weight** - Adds body and thickness without muddiness - **Smooth, open high end** - Clear top end that "scintillates" when driven; small high-frequency rise in frequency response contributes to this character - **Harmonic richness** - Musical distortion when input is pushed; warmth-inducing harmonic content is part of the design - **Pillowy compression** - Natural transformer saturation acts like a sonic shock absorber - **Controlled transients** - Smooths hard transients while maintaining impact ### Comparison to Other Preamps Engineers often describe the TG2 as having "Neve warmth and punch, but with a 'nicer' expanded top end." This makes it particularly well-suited for: - Modern-leaning recordings that need cut through dense mixes while retaining thick, round tone - Pairing with darker ribbon microphones (especially Coles 4038) for a timeless smooth, rich sound - Sources that benefit from additional presence over typical Neve-style coloration ## Common Applications ### Guitar Recording Many engineers consider the TG2 their go-to preamp for electric guitar. The combination of a ribbon mic and the TG2 on guitar amps produces particularly beautiful results. ### Vocal Recording Works exceptionally well on rock vocals with moderate to heavy input drive (gain 5-10), adding presence and attitude while maintaining clarity. ### Bass DI The TG2's DI input with pushed input gain creates excellent natural analog saturation on bass, adding warmth and harmonics. ### Drum Room Mics With input pushed toward saturation, the TG2 adds weight and glue to drum room mics, especially when combined with compression (like an 1176). ### Acoustic Sources Clean settings (input at minimum) provide clarity and detail with beautiful mid-range color, excellent for acoustic guitar and other natural sources. ### Drum Overheads Particularly magical when paired with Coles 4038 ribbon microphones on drum overheads, combining the TG2's present top end with the ribbon's smooth character for a classic, timeless sound. ### Piano Recording When a more robust, musical sound is desired over hyper-detailed cleanliness, the TG2 adds warmth and body to piano recordings. ## Usage Techniques ### Input Drive Staging - **Position 5 (minimum)** - Clean, detailed sound with mid-range color - **Positions 6-8** - Highs begin to shimmer, harmonics emerge, low-mids expand - **Positions 9-12** - Natural analog saturation, excellent for driven sounds - **Heavy overdrive** - Can achieve extreme distortion (Chandler's website and Sound on Sound TG2-500 review cite John Lennon's vocal on "Polythene Pam" as example of heavily overdriven TG preamp distortion) ### In Mix Bus Applications The TG2 works exceptionally well when used as part of a hybrid summing system, providing the classic amplifier circuit coloration when mixing through passive summing networks (similar to vintage console design). ## Studio A Location Located in **Bay 3** of the Studio A outboard rack. See [[1 . Studio A Outboard Gear]] for complete outboard inventory. x ## Related Equipment - [[Chandler Limited TG2-500]] - 500-series version of this preamp - [[API 512V]] - Alternative clean preamp option in Studio A - [[Neve 1073LB]] - Alternative colored preamp with different character (more traditional Neve sound) - [[Universal Audio 1176LN]] - Common compressor pairing for drums - **Coles 4038** - Classic ribbon microphone pairing for TG2 (especially on overheads and guitar) ## Links ### Gearspace Forum: How Are You Using Chandler TG2? - **URL:** https://gearspace.com/board/high-end/364195-how-you-using-chandler-tg2.html - **Summary:** Community discussion thread where professional engineers and producers share their specific applications and techniques for the Chandler TG2 preamp, including signal chain recommendations, gain staging approaches, and favorite source material pairings. - **Related:** [[Preamp Basics]], [[Harmonic Distortion]], [[Abbey Road Studios]], [[The Beatles]], [[EMI Recording]] ### Tape Op Magazine: TG2 Stereo Microphone Preamplifier Review - **URL:** https://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/39/tg2-stereo-microphone-preamplifier - **Summary:** In-depth review highlighting the TG2's exceptional performance on guitar recording, comparison with Neve preamps, and discussion of the Abbey Road EMI console heritage. Reviewer notes it's one of the most beautiful guitar preamp sounds available. - **Related:** [[Preamp Comparisons]], [[Guitar Recording]], [[Ribbon Microphones]], [[Studio A - Signal Path]] ### Chandler Limited Official TG2 Product Page - **URL:** https://chandlerlimited.com/tg2-pre-amp-di/ - **Summary:** Official product specifications, artist testimonials from top engineers (Billy Bush, Chris Day), and technical details about the EMI TG12428 recreation. Includes power supply requirements and feature descriptions. - **Related:** [[Studio A - Power Distribution]], [[Outboard Gear Specifications]] ### Sweetwater Interview: Wade Goeke on Chandler Limited History and Design Philosophy - **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIalcX73jFk (timestamp 2:51 for TG2 discussion) - **Summary:** 28-minute in-depth interview with Chandler Limited founder Wade Goeke discussing the company's origins, relationship with Abbey Road/EMI archives, and design philosophy behind the TG series. Covers how the TG2 was chosen from original mastering desk modules for its slight high-frequency bump that makes it sound open while maintaining class-A fullness. Wade explains the hand-etching origins, access to EMI's Hayes factory archives (described as "opening the Ark of the Covenant"), and why the TG2 became more successful than the TG1 due to affordability and universal preamp demand. Interview also previews the TG Microphone with its unique NAB/IEC tape EQ passive tone control. - **Related:** [[Abbey Road Studios]], [[EMI Recording]], [[Chandler Limited]], [[Audio History]], [[Class-A Amplification]], [[Transformer-Coupled Design]] ### Sound Pure: Chandler TG2 Abbey Road SE Demo Unit - **URL:** https://www.soundpure.com/p/chandler-limited-tg2-abbey-road-se-stereo-pre-demo/37369 - **Summary:** Detailed retailer description and user impressions of the TG2 Abbey Road Special Edition. Sound Pure characterizes it as a blend of classic warmth/roundness with a slightly more present upper range than typical Neve preamps—this additional presence helps recordings cut through dense mixes while maintaining round, thick tone. Highlights the classic pairing with Coles 4038 ribbons for "timeless smooth and rich sound." Recommended applications: drum overheads (with Coles), guitars, vocals, and piano when robust musical sound is desired over hyper-detailed cleanliness. - **Related:** [[Coles 4038]], [[Ribbon Microphones]], [[Neve Comparison]], [[Studio A - Microphone Locker]] ### Gearspace Forum: Just Got Chandler TG2, What Do You Like? - **URL:** https://gearspace.com/board/high-end/478672-just-got-chandler-tg2-what-do-you-like.html - **Summary:** Community discussion thread from new TG2 owners and experienced users sharing first impressions, favorite applications, and practical workflow tips. Covers real-world integration into different studio setups and comparison with other high-end preamps. - **Related:** [[Preamp Workflow]], [[Signal Chain Design]], [[Studio Integration]]