73 JR Preamp by Heritage Audio preamp plugin interface

73 JR Preamp: Heritage Audio 73-Style Preamp Plugin

Rated 4.6/5 on Plugin Boutique (22 ratings)

73 JR Preamp is a preamp plugin from Heritage Audio that models its 73-style microphone preamplifier, with up to 80dB of gain in 5dB steps, a blend control and a variable high-pass filter.

VST3AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

The 73 JR Preamp brings the 73-style preamp design from Heritage Audio into a plugin format. Heritage Audio says the plugin is modeled on its hardware, using all-discrete Class A circuitry and custom Carnhill transformers modeled in-house. Separate input and output gain controls let you drive the input for saturation while keeping the output level under control. It is built for mixing and tracking work in VST3, AU and AAX hosts on Windows and macOS.

Best for

Vocal preamp coloring
Drum bus saturation
Parallel mixing
Low-end cleanup
Mix bus warmth

Developer: Heritage Audio
Category: Preamps
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

73-style preamp design from Heritage Audio, available as a plugin
Up to 80dB of gain in 5dB steps
All-discrete, Class A circuitry modeled in-house
Custom Carnhill transformers modeled in-house
Blend control for built-in parallel processing
Variable high-pass filter for cutting low-end rumble and mud
Separate input and output gain for saturation without output overload

03In depth

Gain Staging, Blend and Filtering

The 73 JR Preamp offers up to 80dB of gain, adjustable in 5dB steps. Because the input and output gain are separate, you can push the input harder for saturation and then set the output level independently.

A blend control provides built-in parallel processing, so you can mix the processed signal with the dry signal inside the plugin without setting up a separate bus. A variable high-pass filter lets you remove low-end rumble and mud while keeping the frequencies you want.

Hardware-Style Circuit Design

Heritage Audio describes the plugin as based on an all-discrete, Class A circuit with custom Carnhill transformers modeled in-house. The developer says the design is closely tied to its 73-style hardware, which it presents as an industry reference for this type of preamp.

The plugin can be used on individual tracks or across a whole mix, since you can load as many instances as your session needs.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Heritage Audio
Type	Plugin
Category	Preamp
Formats	VST3, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does the 73 JR Preamp support?

The 73 JR Preamp is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats, all 64-bit.

Which operating systems can run the 73 JR Preamp?

It runs on Windows 10 and 11 and on macOS 10.15.7 and later, including Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

What do I need to use the 73 JR Preamp?

You need a compatible DAW that supports VST3, AU or AAX. The developer lists support for major DAWs such as Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One, Bitwig, Reaper and Reason.