Franklin Audio has announced the new RA-200 Stereo Re-Amp + Return, a stereo hardware processor designed to integrate guitar pedals, tape echoes and other instrument effects directly into professional recording and mixing workflows. Combining re-amping, signal conversion and instrument recording capabilities in a single unit, the RA-200 makes it easier to use external effects with audio interfaces, DAWs and other studio equipment.
From running drum tracks through distortion pedals to processing synthesizers with stereo reverbs, the RA-200 gives producers and engineers a practical way to incorporate their favourite hardware effects into a modern production environment.
Bringing Guitar Pedals Into the Studio
Guitar pedals have become increasingly popular as creative tools beyond traditional guitar and bass applications. Producers regularly use them to add character, movement and texture to vocals, drums, synthesizers and entire mixes.
However, connecting pedals directly to professional audio equipment presents several challenges. Audio interfaces typically operate at balanced line levels, while most guitar pedals expect unbalanced, high-impedance instrument signals. Connecting the two without proper conversion can result in excessive levels, unwanted distortion, noise and tonal changes.
The Franklin Audio RA-200 addresses these issues with dedicated re-amp and return circuits that manage signal levels and impedance matching in both directions.
Its re-amp section converts balanced line-level audio from an interface or converter into an unbalanced instrument-level signal suitable for guitar pedals. The return section then converts the processed signal back into balanced line level for recording or further processing.
Transformer-balanced line inputs and outputs contribute subtle harmonic character and weight, while the optimized gain structure helps pedals perform consistently in a studio environment.
True Stereo Processing
One of the RA-200's primary advantages is its stereo signal path, allowing engineers to integrate mono or stereo effects into their sessions.
Stereo delay and reverb pedals can be connected as external effects processors, making it possible to process synthesizers, keyboards, drum buses and other stereo sources without sacrificing the original stereo image.
For example, a producer can send a stereo synth track from their DAW through an external reverb pedal, adjust the effect in real time and record the processed result back into the session.
The RA-200 also supports traditional re-amping applications, including sending previously recorded DI guitar and bass performances through amplifiers and effects.
Hands-On Control Over Your Sound
The RA-200 provides several front-panel controls that make integrating and experimenting with external effects straightforward.
The Send Level control adjusts the signal feeding connected pedals, allowing users to establish appropriate operating levels or deliberately drive an effect harder for additional coloration.
A variable impedance control adjusts the re-amp output impedance from 600 ohms to 50 kilohms, providing another way to shape the interaction between the RA-200 and connected equipment.
The integrated Dry/Wet control blends the original signal with the processed return, making parallel effects processing possible without additional DAW routing.
A hardwired true bypass button removes connected pedals from the signal path, allowing quick comparisons between processed and unprocessed audio.
Dedicated ground-lift and polarity-inversion controls help address unwanted hum and phase-related issues, particularly when blending processed and original signals.
The unit also features adjustable output gain, allowing engineers to establish suitable recording levels before sending audio back to their interface.
Flexible Front and Rear Connections
The RA-200 includes dedicated stereo send and return connections on both its front and rear panels.
Front-panel connections are particularly convenient when experimenting with different pedals or temporarily adding effects during a session. Connecting to the front-panel jacks automatically overrides the corresponding rear-panel connections.
For permanent installations, the rear-panel connections allow effects chains to remain connected and ready for use.
Balanced XLR/TRS combo inputs accommodate professional audio interfaces and converters, while balanced XLR and TRS outputs provide flexible integration with existing studio equipment.
This combination makes the RA-200 suitable for both desktop production setups and larger studio environments.
More Than a Re-Amp Box
Beyond its effects-processing capabilities, the Franklin Audio RA-200 can also function as a stereo instrument recording interface.
Guitars, basses and stereo keyboards can be connected directly to its return inputs, with the resulting signal delivered to an audio interface at balanced line level.
The return circuit features a 1-megohm input impedance and up to 32 dB of gain, allowing instruments to be recorded without requiring a separate DI box or microphone preamplifier.
This flexibility makes the RA-200 useful for tracking instruments as well as processing existing recordings.
Technical Performance and Specifications
Franklin Audio has designed the RA-200 to maintain low noise and distortion while providing the gain and impedance characteristics required for effective pedal integration.
The stereo re-amp and return circuits feature transformer-balanced line inputs and outputs, with balanced XLR/TRS combo inputs and dedicated balanced XLR and TRS outputs. Front and rear 1/4-inch instrument connections accommodate mono and stereo effects chains.
The re-amp section offers a gain range from negative infinity to -12 dB, with adjustable output impedance between 600 ohms and 50 kilohms. The return section provides 0 to 32 dB of gain and a 1-megohm input impedance, suitable for connecting electric instruments directly.
Noise performance is rated below -113 dBV for the re-amp circuit and below -97 dBV for the return circuit, both A-weighted. The re-amp circuit delivers a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz within ±0.15 dB.
Additional functionality includes hardwired true bypass, adjustable dry/wet blending, polarity inversion and ground-lift controls. The RA-200 operates using a standard 9V DC centre-negative power supply rated for 200 mA.
A Creative Tool for Modern Production
The Franklin Audio RA-200 offers a useful combination of studio signal conversion, stereo effects integration and instrument recording in one hardware unit.
Its ability to handle the technical requirements of pedal re-amping allows engineers to concentrate on experimenting with sounds rather than managing complicated gain staging and signal routing.
For producers looking to incorporate analogue delays, distortion pedals, modulation effects or stereo reverbs into their sessions, the RA-200 provides a direct connection between instrument effects and professional recording equipment.
With its flexible connectivity, dedicated front-panel controls and stereo processing capabilities, the RA-200 makes external hardware effects a practical part of everyday recording and mixing.