Should I use a preamp?

[juststartingout]

I currently have an SM-58 and SM-57 for recording guitar and vocals on my DAW(Yamaha AW16G). I am mainly micing my cabs for the guitars. I do use them for the acoustics and vocal, direct into the AW16. I don't currently use a preamp of any kind. The AW16 has a lot of effects (eq, delay,chorus) and I can get the levels out that I need to record, but that is at max level in some cases. A couple of questions though.

Should I be using one?

What would it get me?

Any recomendations?

[Richard Monroe]

You're already using a preamp, the one in the Yamaha. The question really is, what would you have to spend to get a better preamp? I don't think an Audio Buddy, a DMP-3, or any other $200 or so preamp will significantly improve your sound. A RNP, Grace 101, or a Joemeek VC1Qcs will, but none of them come cheap. Because your DAW has a limited number of mic level XLR inputs, additional cheap pres will allow you to record more mic'd tracks simultaneously, but will probably produce little or no improvement in sound quality. A higher end pre will produce better sound, especially as you add more tracks, but it comes at a cost. You get what you pay for. At the next level, it goes to Great River, Avalon, Neve, Focusrite, etc. At that point you would have some new weakest link in the chain, the mics or your DAW.-Richie

[juststartingout]

Thanks Richie, that was kind of what I figured, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Afterall, it wouldn't be the first time.