Shadow Hills Industries Mono Gama Hammer Forged Copper - 500 Series Mic Pre

500 Series Microphone Preamplifier with 4 Transformers - Copper

• Circuit topology of the original Mono GAMA with an expanded output switching matrix
• Stack Mode: rich, harmonically complex tone without external or parallel routing
• Four output options controlled by a single knob: Nickel, Steel, Discrete, and Stack
• Updated output transformers for more headroom and improved low-frequency response
• Balanced input with original Jensen transformer and discrete Class A gain
• 24-position Swiss-made stepped attenuator for precise and repeatable settings
• Front-panel DI, phantom power, phase reversal, and 20 dB pad
• Copper finish with hammered copper front panel and engraved screen prints

The Shadow Hills Industries Mono GAMA Hammer Forged Copper brings the evolution of the Mono GAMA microphone preamp to the 500 Series format, preserving its circuit topology and operational philosophy. The sound that has made the GAMA a benchmark in professional racks remains intact: what has changed is the tonal flexibility, thanks to a new output transformer matrix and an updated set of transformers that offers more headroom and more defined low frequencies.

Mono GAMA Hammer Forged: The Evolution of the Shadow Hills Preamp

A signal path faithful to the original

The signal enters through an original Jensen transformer, with a balanced transformer input, and continues into the Shadow Hills-designed discrete Class A gain stage. At the heart of the design is a custom discrete op-amp, which delivers grandeur, punch, and depth across the entire frequency range, keeping sources open and clear rather than compressed or muffled.

Gain, Trim, and Impedance Under Control

The 24-position Swiss-made step attenuator, output trim, and impedance switching allow you to adapt the preamp to any microphone and recall a setup with absolute precision. This is a real advantage when you need to resume a session or replicate the same signal chain across multiple takes.

Switchable output transformers and Stack mode

Three vintage sounds recreated by Shadow Hills

Instead of choosing just one vintage output transformer, Shadow Hills had its favorites faithfully recreated and integrated them all into a single module. The Nickel, Steel, and Discrete positions are selected by turning a knob, so you can tailor the preamp’s tone to the source: clarity for a lead vocal, more body for a DI’d bass, and more grit for an electric guitar.

Stack: Harmonic Density Directly in the Preamp

The fourth mode, Stack—introduced with the Hammer Forged series—internally combines the transformer paths. You get a denser, more harmonically complex character without needing external routing or parallel processing: the tone you’d normally build in the mix is already established during recording, resulting in a faster, more direct workflow.

More headroom and a more solid low end

The updated set of output transformers in the Hammer Forged editions delivers greater headroom and improved low-frequency response compared to the original Mono GAMA, without compromising the GAMA’s recognizable character. More headroom on transients and more controlled lows mean tracks that behave better under compression and naturally find their place in the mix.

Hammered Copper 500 Series Preamp: Features and Finish

DI and full functionality for every source

Phantom power, phase inversion, and a 20 dB pad make the module suitable for condenser, dynamic, and ribbon microphones. The front-panel direct input, with dedicated pad and phase inversion controls, lets you record bass, guitar, synths, and keyboards while leveraging the same character as the output transformers.

Hammer Forged Copper: A Distinctive Visual Identity

The name “Copper” refers to the front panel and the hammered copper finish, which give the module a unique look in the rack. Sonically, it is identical to the Hammer Forged Noir version: same circuitry, same performance—only the aesthetics have changed.

Technical Specifications: Shadow Hills Mono GAMA Hammer Forged Copper

• Format: 500 Series
• Current consumption: 75 mA per module
• Input transformer: Original Jensen, balanced transformer input
• Gain stage: discrete Class A with custom discrete op-amp
• Gain control: 24-position Swiss-made stepped attenuator
• Output options: 4 positions (Nickel, Steel, Discrete, Stack)
• Additional controls: output trim, impedance switching
• Features: Phantom power, phase inversion, 20 dB pad
• DI input: front panel, with pad and phase inversion
• Finish: hammered copper front panel with etched screen prints