vs880 help.

[Randomsk]

Hello. I have a vs880 and i'm wondering whether i should get a preamp. I wanna know in what way it will help, and if i even need it. Only because sometimes i want to record acoustic guitar and i have to have the recording level to the max, and the mic almost touching the strings.. lol. Is this where a preamp is used? to boost recording levels? See i'm new, and don't know much. THanks

[monty]

Yes, you could use a pre-amp...and maybe a better mic.

[Phosphene]

ya ya---what kind of mic do you have? Sounds like youre using a dynamic mic. And turning the pres full blast in the 880 sounds nasty i bet, eh? A better pre would help you get the level you need so you dont have to stick the mic down your guitars throat. Also a condenser mic, like a AKGC1000 (not the best by any means), would require phantom power supplied by a preamp (The 1880 and 2480 have phantom power, but that doesnt help you). You can get one of those little ART MPs for cheap ($60)? like I did when I first for my 880. It'll get you more gain and supply the phantom power that condenser mics need. Maybe you already know this.

[Randomsk]

Thanks for your replies
I have a sm58 and a couple of 57's so yeah... Dynamics, and the pres are up full sometimes WHy didn't they just make them good .. lol. I do have phantom power for a rodes mic i have, can i put the 57's etc through that ? If not then i'll look at that ART Mps. cheers

[Phosphene]

Well theyve got so much crap in that box that something has to be compremised. i cant spell. I know the pres on the 2480 are much improved over the 880 or 1880. What Rodes mic is it? The tube mic NTK or somethig else? If its the box that powers the tube mic, then of course, no. What kind of level do you get from the Rode mic? Good Luck.

Jeremiah

[Randomsk]

Its a rodes NT2. Yeh, its just the box that powers it. lol
Whats the ART like ?

[Phosphene]

Oh the ART Tube MP. Im pretty sure itll get you more gain than whats on the 880, at least not as noisy. Although it is a little noisy when you crank it. I dont use mine much anymore. Depends on how much you want to spend, theres a ton better, but it'll get you started. How about that Rode mic through the 880 pres? I bet the acoustic guitar picks up better with it than the Sures.

[Robertt8]

Yo!

a bit of specific advice...check out...

http://www.vsplanet.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi

This site is specifically set up for the Roland VS series...can't go wrong...

...but, I've got the VS-880EX, and I've also got a sure SM58 which is good for live stuff, but pretty crappy for recording. It just doesn't have the clairity of a nice condensor mic...which you'll have to get a pre-amp for (You can usually get something that will do the trick for under $100. Also, the Studio Projects B3 is really good for the price.

good luck!

[Randomsk]

hell yeah my rodes is a lot better than the sures for picking up the acoustic :P And thanks Rob, i'll check it out