interface or pre amp upgrade

[steveyab]

i figure this question belongs in this forum probably.

i'm sick of all the hiss from my mobile pre usb preamps when i use a dynamic mic especially. i want the least expensive way to upgrade my system to allow me to get a clear quiet signal into my computer. would my best bet be to buy a new interface (are there any with enough quiet gain in their preamp for dynamic mics?) or an external preamp to run through my current interface. which of those 2 options is cheapest and will give me the best result?

 

[Jim Lad]

You should really be looking at condenser microphones.
Just my humble opinion.

 

[Chibi Nappa]

i want the least expensive way to upgrade my system to allow me to get a clear quiet signal into my computer.

A new mic cable and possibly an article on gain structure will likely do the trick.


I can't imagine even the worst modern USB interface with a noise floor that high unless something is wrong elsewhere.

 

[steveyab]

i've tried 3 different cables, mogami, shure, and no name brand.. even with nothing plugged into the mobile pre i get noticable hiss after i turn the preamp past half way.. trust me, the pre's on this thing are horrible.

can someone please recommend a budget interface with pre's that have a lot of clean gain for dynamic mics? otherwise i guess i'll just try out the dmp3 through it because i don't want to deal with another crappy interface pre amp.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Even if you do get another interface, a DMP-3 wouldn't be a bad thing to have. You'll always find uses for it.-Richie

 

[steveyab]

are there any 24bit interfaces that don't have any mic pre's / xlr inputs at all?

so if i bought the dmp3 and wanted to upgrade my interface as well, i wouldn't need mic pres, phantom power etc on the interface itself right

 

[Richard Monroe]

That is correct. An interface without mic pres is an A-D convertor. Be advised- there are damn few cheap ones. Mostly, pure AD converters are wicked pricey. This is the closest thing I've found for cheap:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=60106&Category=Audio_Interfaces

ostly, I think you just need to upgrade your interface. For the record, I have never used the item above, it's just the result of a search for the features you asked for.-Richie

 

[Jim Lad]

Most interfaces in the $200-$250 range will give you about 50 to 60dBs.
I need about 60 to 70dB of clean gain for my ribbons and would imagine that other dynamic mics are about the same.
I think the Mobile Pre is around 55dB but haven't checked.
That's why I suggested getting a condenser mic.
Wasn't being flippant, just mulled it over and went straight to what my solution would be.

 

[steveyab]

Most interfaces in the $200-$250 range will give you about 50 to 60dBs.
I need about 60 to 70dB of clean gain for my ribbons and would imagine that other dynamic mics are about the same.
I think the Mobile Pre is around 55dB but haven't checked.
That's why I suggested getting a condenser mic.
Wasn't being flippant, just mulled it over and went straight to what my solution would be.

true, i wasn't ignoring your response, i just figured for the same price as a cheapo condenser i could get a dmp3 pre amp which supposedly has that 60 db of CLEAN gain that would allow me to use the mic i already have and like for my voice. i heard it's not really worth wasting money on cheap condensers since you outgrow them.. then again i hear the same thing about low end pre amps.

 

[Jim Lad]

i heard it's not really worth wasting money on cheap condensers since you outgrow them.. then again i hear the same thing about low end pre amps.

True enough but I've had bad luck with cheap preamps which is worse than outgrowing the microphone.
Good luck with it.

Edit:
Maybe look at this Nady, 8 Channel Preamp for $129.
I bought it. Love it and reviewed it on Musician's friend.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-PRA8-Mic-Preamp?sku=185277
Keep in mind, it's a preamp and not an AD converter.