Equipped with a nickel custom-wound output transformer for accentuated highs, the EM-Blue is the brightest sounding of the EM Series. It produces an airier, more top-end oriented tone than its EM-Series brothers and sisters. Many aspects of recording can be counter-intuitive; and, in many cases, you'll want to pair opposites. For example, when used with a dark-sounding microphone or an alto vocalist, the brighter EM-Blue can open the sound up perfectly. This pre is also useful for providing a crisp "crack" when recording a snare drum. If you use the direct input, you just might fall in love with how an electric guitar sounds going thru its nickel transformers. The EM-Blue has a -20dB pad that enables you to get down and dirty with an electric guitar - just switch in the pad and crank the gain for a slight growl.