About us

Founded in the middle of the Beaujolais vineyards, in the recording studios of the Hacienda, HLabs designs & manufactures state-of-the-art analog audio products, inspired by the sound & circuits of the most legendary consoles & outboards.
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We don't think we need to revolutionize the way we work with sound, but rather design clever, simple tools that you will enjoy for a lifetime.
While "vintage fat sound" is often synonymous with tube circuits, we focus on classic audio transformers that offer iconic musicality - and do not require maintenance. API, Neve, Solid State Logic, Studer... are some of our inspirations, which we power-up with modern design & control capabilities.

Each knob you'll find has a simple and clear purpose - just turn it up and down, listen, and focus on music.

In a world of computer-based music, I believe that analog audio tools are the key to adding sound creativity and character to every project.

Inspired by classic designs - especially those with big audio transformers  - I focus on 100% discrete thru-hole component designs that make our gear reliable and serviceable for decades. Whether I'm mimicking vintage gear or designing an innovative product, I like to keep things simple to use, so you can let your ears take control.

All our products are handcrafted in France, but remain affordable using a "less-is-more" approach and modern production processes from our (beloved ) nearby partners.

Our philosophy

Analog audio Tools

Our products are meant to be used.
Like a hammer or screwdriver, our audio tools go straight to the point: get the best sound in seconds and play it over the ages. Just plug in, twist the knobs and listen.

Hlabs PRE169 in a Neve 88VR console rack

Engineered for professionals

Professionals know how much details matter.
At HLabs, we've all worked in music - whether in the studio or on stage - and we know what can make your day better. We design each product the way we would like to use it, even for the smallest details : switchguard, locking powercord...

The back of the HLabs DI02S with a V-Lock cable detached.

Built to last

Your HLabs gear will survive us.
Thanks to their modular design using mainly old school THT components, our products are robust and will be easily serviced for decades.

The inside of the DI02 showing blue PCB.

Meet the team 

The company is driven by a team of music enthusiasts who made all their carrier in the pro-audio industry.
What we do at HLabs is what we would like to find in our recording & mixing setups.

Jérome Champlet

Founder & CEO

After servicing audio equipment for 30 years, Jerome decided to create his own brand, guided by the design of the most inspiring machines seen in his career. He's a great pragmatist, always on the lookout for the cleverest design to deliver sound quality and ease of use.

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Olivier Collier

CTO

Olivier is in charge of industrialisation and product design. He is in continuous contact with a team of local partners that allows us to (proudly) offer "Made in France" manufacturing for our (super-cool-looking) products.

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Camille Cécillon

Quality & Logistics

Camille joined the team in 2024 to ensure the company's growth while maintaining our high quality of service. Always here to help and to offer you the best customer experience. Need your next device to be delivered on top of Himalaya? She'll find a way...

Stéphane Reichardt

Head of sales

With 20 years' experience in the distribution and sale of professional audio equipment, Stéphane has worked with leading brands such as Rupert Neve Design, Chandler Ltd, DW Fearn, Empirical Labs... He is the perfect man to represent our brand to professional and enthusiast customers.

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Fabienne Piétrus

Communication

A former journalist in the French media industry, Fabienne is helping the company with its communications strategy so that YOU can find us throughout the maze of the internet and discover our products.

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Innovation

SOUND FIRST

Offering a classic analog sound in our products doesn't mean no innovation is possible.
The last decades have seen many opportunities to improve sound and reliability. In every product we design, we put the best of both world, vintage & modern, so that you can enjoy world-class sound in the best conditions.

ANALOG FEELING [DIGITAL CONTROL]

One of our most impressive feature to come is certainly the digitally controlled full analog gain stage. Behind its barbaric name lies a 21st century innovation that combines the perfect audio quality of an analog resistor network with the ultimate precision of a digital knob - all hidden behind a motorised potentiometer and it's hi-torque classic feeling.

 CHECK OUR PRODUCT RANGE

Carbon footprint 

We work hard to create durable products that you can pass on to your children and grandchildren.
Let's also give them a planet where they can keep the music flowing.

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

Our product packaging is made from 100% recycled materials: recycled corrugated cardboard or off-cuts of acoustic materials from a local manufacturer, protecting your products while limiting our impact on the environment.

A pack of six DI02 in a sustainable cardboard packaging.

LOCAL MANUFACTURING

From the moment we have the electronic components in hand, all HLabs products are manufactured within a 30km radius of Lyon, France. Thanks to local production, we can drastically reduce CO₂ emissions from manufacturing and transport.

The map of HLabs manufacturing process, 30km around Lyon, France.