The Mantle is a premium preamp and DI for electric bass, developed in collaboration with Ian Martin Allison. It provides a solid sonic foundation for stage, studio, or home use, delivering studio-grade clarity, harmonically rich tone, and full control over the bass signal.

At its core are proprietary Sapphire Transformers, engineered to combine a strong low-end and midrange presence inspired by Neve circuits with a clear, articulate top end reminiscent of classic API preamps. This design preserves every nuance of the instrument while adding musical character and depth.

The Mantle offers precise control over gain, EQ, headroom, and balanced outputs, ensuring any connected amp, interface, or mixer receives the cleanest, most confident signal.

Signal Path Overview

Input → JFET Buffer → LPF/HPF or Dry Path → Input Transformer (-6dB to +23dB) → Boost EQ → Output Transformer

The architecture delivers clarity, musical transformer coloration, and control over both input and final output.

Transformers

The Mantle features custom-wound Sapphire input and output transformers.

• Input Transformer: Based on Neve designs, capable of handling high signals without distortion, maintaining a clean and strong signal across the frequency spectrum.
• Output Transformer: Inspired by the API 312 output stage, it balances the signal and adds harmonic richness, suitable for long cable runs without signal loss.

Connections

• 1/4" TS Input: Hi-Z, buffered with JFET for proper impedance and instrument detail.
• 1/4" TS Output: Sends the shaped signal to amps or pedals.
• XLR Output: Transformer-balanced for DI tones in studio and live settings.
• Power: 9V DC (500 mA, center-negative), internally boosted to +24V for maximum headroom.

Controls

• Bass & Treble (Boost/Cut Filter System):
• Boost: Positions 7–11 increase gain in +3dB increments up to +15dB, transitioning from shelving to broad bell curves.
• Cut: Positions 5–1 apply steep HPF on Bass (30–120Hz) and LPF on Treble (1–8kHz) for precise tonal shaping.
• Gain: -6dB to +23dB transformer-based gain, providing dimensional, expressive tone.

Switches

• Active/Passive (-10dB Pad): Prevents overloading high-output instruments while accommodating passive basses.
• Ground Lift: Eliminates hum and ground-loop noise in complex live or studio setups.