Burl Audio was founded in 2006 with a single mission: to bring uncompromising analog sound to the world of digital recording. Nestled within the Santa Cruz Mountains, Burl began life within a working studio — Paradise Recording — by engineers who aimed to elevate the art of analog-to-digital conversion. Led by Rich Williams, Burl Audio explored the sonic benefits of utilizing all-discrete-transistor Class A circuits bolstered with a transformer at the front end. The result of this innovative design was a clear, realistic sound with absolute clarity and depth.
The first Burl Audio release came in the form of the B2 Bomber — a product that truly raised the bar on analog-to-digital conversion. That said, the B80 Mothership was the model that changed the game entirely. Built around a modular system with custom transformers, discrete op-amps, and impeccable analog circuit design, the Mothership utterly redefined high-end conversion. Moreover, the Mothership’s fully configurable architecture quickly made it a go-to solution for studios, film scoring facilities, and touring engineers around the world, seamlessly integrating into hybrid workflows while perfectly preserving the sought-after sound of vintage analog recording chains.
While Burl Audio is revered among studio professionals for its superior conversion, the brand’s innovation extends to almost every element of the studio. From the Class A B1 mic preamp to the B32 Vancouver summing mixer to Burl Black daughter cards, every piece of Burl gear is engineered with the same ethos: analog soul, pristine clarity, and ultra-rugged build quality. Moreover, every Burl creation is tested, designed, and built within a working studio environment. Burl doesn’t just make gear — its makes the very tools that professional recording engineers, producers, and artists require to realize their creative visions.
Whether you’re working in a pro studio environment or in a home studio, Burl Audio’s products are purpose-made to provide you with the very highest level of recording excellence. Thus, it’s no surprise that Burl Audio’s converters, preamps, and other devices have become staples among exacting producers and engineers. You’ll find Burl’s products in legendary studios such as EastWest, Electric Lady Studios, and countless others.
