audiotalesdesigns.com

What It Is

Audiotales Designs is a French Pro Audio manufacturer founded by Adrien Sauvaget, chief engineer at X-Pand Sound Mastering. The brand aims to develop innovative hardware for mastering, as well as for recording and mixing scenarios. Its flagship product is the “1951 Mastering Equalizer,” positioned as a high-end analog mastering equalizer.

Core Capabilities

Based on the main content, the 1951 is an all-tube/Class A EQ featuring custom Lundahl input transformers, Carnhill output transformers, and NOS Sylvania 6SL7 WGT / 6922 tubes. Functionally, it emphasizes switchable Shelf and Baxandall curves, along with two new features called Barytone and Aircap, which the text says are patent pending. Other professional features include output level control, a 3 dB/oct high-cut filter, a 6 dB/oct low-cut filter, bypass for each band, and a Master Hardwired Bypass. In terms of specifications, it lists +28 dB headroom, a -105 dB noise floor, frequency response, and input/output impedance, indicating that it is primarily aimed at serious analog audio chains.

Pricing and Purchase

The prices disclosed on the website are: the 1951 lists for €3,354 excluding VAT, with a special “Owners” price of €3,154 excluding VAT; the 1951 + 1954 bundle is priced at €7,551 excluding VAT; another listed price is €4,251 excluding VAT. Orders are placed by emailing [email protected], while UK users can purchase through sxpro.co.uk. The main content also mentions that customers in China, Hong Kong, and Macau can purchase through the official distributor Relyon Audio, but it does not specify payment methods, shipping timelines, warranty, or return policies.

Pros and Cons

The advantages are its very clear positioning, the founder’s background in audio engineering, and a product concept that is clearly built around the real needs of mastering engineers. The hardware components and key audio specifications are disclosed in relatively concrete detail, while features such as Barytone and Aircap help differentiate it. The drawbacks are that the website’s information structure is relatively weak, with repeated page content and a lack of complete after-sales, delivery, interface specification, and case-study information. The price is also high, creating an obvious barrier for home producers or users working entirely in a plugin-based workflow.

Who It’s For and Access in China

It is better suited to professional mastering studios, recording studios, mixing engineers, and users who want to build a high-end analog hardware chain. Access from mainland China cannot be determined from the main content; however, the brand states that it has official distribution channels in China, Hong Kong, and Macau, which is a positive sign for purchasing availability.