Tierra Audio Calima Preamp

Tierra Audio's most aggressive analog preamplifier.

Calima Preamp has been designed to provide you with a quick and defined response, successfully unraveling the recording needs of drum sets and percussive rhythms for the most avant-garde productions.
The source of its full-bodied and steady sound lies in the excitation of the even harmonics of the frequency spectrum. That, together with a linear phase distortion, grants a sense of a more homogenic mix in the resulting sound.

Furthermore, this equipment counts on a quick transient response resulting in an enhanced sound presence sensation.

Theater-like sound
It is the memory of those awesome movie dialogues that touched us all what lies in the inception of the Calima Preamp. Thanks to its linear phase distortion, your voice will sound as an insurmountable wall, enhancing your presence and steadiness.
The even harmonics’ excitation will lead to wider and more defined voices. Beyond that, thanks to the transients quick response, voices will come to the very foreground in your mix.

Colour your tracks with line input.
With Calima Preamp you can choose between microphone input, instrument input and a new line input.
The new line input incorporates a Lundahl® input transformer with which you can add colour, gain and a beautiful harmonic distortion to your signal. Try it with your synthesizer or keyboard and hear the difference!

Bring out the rhythm of your life!
Connect your favorite microphone to the Calima Preamp and check the improvement out! The sound you will obtain will reach you with an incredible punch and definition. It will make your sound deeper, defined, and enhance its presence.

If you want to make the most of those rhythms plug your microphone in the Calima Preamp, and you will see how the sound reaches the next level. Thanks to the even harmonics’ excitation your sounds will gain the presence and might to make your percussions something beyond this world.

Highlight the strings!
Calima Preamp is the best “dancer”. Motor-rhythms will be taken to the next level by Calima. Plug your rhythm guitars into it, and you will notice an instant improvement by achieving thicker, more defined, punchy guitars. Moreover, because of its dazzling headroom, Calima Preamp will not lose any detail, enabling the composition of passages with the most impressive dynamic changes.

Metal power
Use Calima Preamp to record your electric guitar sessions. You will find out how Calima Preamp is able to capture all your sound amplifier’s punch. You will get the optimal body to give depth to the sound mix thanks to the wonderful management of the middle range of the frequency spectrum.

Features

Handmade with ❤️ in Madrid

In order to guarantee the correct electron flux of the analog signal, we put together the finest “through hole” components, instead of robotically assembled miniaturized components. In this way we reduce to the minimum the electronic friction to enhance the thermal response of the equipment and avoid background noises.

Cinemag® and Lundahl® transformers
Each Calima Preamp is equipped with three transformers: one transformer to feed the power stage, two Cinemag® transformers for the input and output stages and one Lundahl® transformer for the line input. The result is more stable, precise, durable and noise-free.

VU meter
Each Calima Preamp also contains one excellent VU meter so that you can accurately control the gain levels of the analog signal.

Gold plated connectors
When speaking about true ProAudio, all the links of the recording chain are fundamental. Gold plated connectors guarantee the best connectivity, and a total absence of contact noise as well. A real piece of jewelry in your hands.

Made of pure cherry wood
A picture is worth a thousand words. So, we wanted to ensure that you will know that your Calima Preamp has the makings of a champion only by looking at it. Finished with a warm and resistant natural cherry wood paneling, from sustainable forests, we ensure better thermal insulation and surprising aesthetics. Technology and art in a superb symbiosis.

Light and robust
By building our products in aluminum, we ensure the highest durability, lightness, corrosion resistance, and thermal insulation. Besides all this, aluminum is an easily recyclable metal that always retains its properties, avoiding indiscriminate exploitation. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

Recycled cardboard packaging
The cardboard packaging in which we ship our equipment comes from recycled sources and is FSC certified. They are light and resistant, protecting the equipment from impacts during transport, thanks to the air chamber system that keeps the equipment in suspension. With this change, we use fewer raw materials and resources, and we can source locally. You can take it everywhere with you thanks to its handle, keep it to store your equipment, or recycle it.

Branded by fire
We want you to use your Calima Preamp intensively for decades. That is the reason why the frontal and back panels are laser engraved, avoiding deletion or damage of the screen printing over metal or wood, through time.

Certified authenticity and quality
With your Calima Preamp, you will get a Certificate of Authenticity and Quality, sealed and signed by hand, that contains the results of the technical measurements conducted over the equipment during our extensive quality control. Thoroughness, transparency, and a 5-years warranty.

One device, one tree
Not only do we create the best products, but we also care about the environment. Therefore, we commit ourselves to plant a tree in exchange for each sold device. You may visit it whenever you want!

Technical Specifications

• Microphone input
  Input impedance: 600 Ω.
  
• Instrument input
  Input impedance: 400 kΩ.
• Output
  Maximum output: +23 dBu with max. 0.1% THD.
  
• Harmonic distortion (THD)
  Less than 0,03% at +4 dBu output in the range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
  
• Frequency response
  From 20 Hz to 20 kHz (-0.1 dB at 20 Hz, -0,5 dB at 20 kHz).
  
• Gain level
  From +28 dB to +72 dB (in steps of 4 dB).
  
• Output impedance
  Less than 75 Ω, Transformer Balanced and earth free.
  
• Noise floor
  Less than -107 dBu
  
• Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
  103 dB, 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  
• Power source
• Two configurable voltage source settings on the back panel: 110 V AC 60 Hz and 220 V AC 50 Hz
  
• Operating temperature range
  Between 32º and 104º Fahrenheit (between 0º and 40º Celsius)
• Power source fuse 500 mA