388 and preamps

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new388

New member
(I posted this in the recording fourm as well)

Hello again, don't have the chance to come here often but love reading through the threads when I can.

Ok, concerning my newly acquired 388. I've been told some conflicting things about the preamps. I have read that the preamps in the 388 are of good quality and thus should feel no need to upgrade. Then again I've been told a modern day preamp can give me much better quality, especially for vocals and acoustic instruments. What do you 388 users advise? Will buying a "decent" preamp improve my already good quality recordings? or not worth it? and if so any recommendations? Also, how do I bypass the preamps in the 388? just turn the trim down?

Thanks much!
 
i use a tube pre-amp for vocals on my 388... otherwise i'd say they work great.
 
I just use the onboard pre's for everything,...

so they're fine with me. ;)
 
I use an outboard pre for the vox and the onboard for everything else. To bypass the pres, send your preamp out to the line in on the 388. Good luck!
 
Line in is still going through the 388 preamps I think the only differance is impedance.
There is nothing wrong with the preamps on your 388. Instead of waisting your money on something you dont need spend it on some great microphones. There you will see a big improvement in your sound.
 
Herm,
Let's Jam, brother! Good to see you're still around.
 
Hey I was just thinking about that this morning that we need to all get together.
so how is the band comming along?

Do you want me to call your big sister and little brother up?
 
Last edited:
new388 said:
(I posted this in the recording fourm as well)

Hello again, don't have the chance to come here often but love reading through the threads when I can.

Ok, concerning my newly acquired 388. I've been told some conflicting things about the preamps. I have read that the preamps in the 388 are of good quality and thus should feel no need to upgrade. Then again I've been told a modern day preamp can give me much better quality, especially for vocals and acoustic instruments. What do you 388 users advise? Will buying a "decent" preamp improve my already good quality recordings? or not worth it? and if so any recommendations? Also, how do I bypass the preamps in the 388? just turn the trim down?

Thanks much!
Click to expand...

A complete WASTE of money to get an external preamp. Even then, you'd have to spend a WHOLE lot to barely notice a difference over the 388 pres. But why ? It ain't worth it I tell ya! Don't confuse the pres on the 388 with the cheap portas TASCAM still makes new. The circuitry and pres on the 388 are fine and should be sufficient for most anybody, unless you're really "anal" about it. Provided your machine is in perfect working order, all you need is some 57's, perhaps some comps and effects and the "know how" and ... that's it!

Daniel
 
cjacek said:
A complete WASTE of money to get an external preamp. Even then, you'd have to spend a WHOLE lot to barely notice a difference over the 388 pres. But why ? It ain't worth it I tell ya! Don't confuse the pres on the 388 with the cheap portas TASCAM still makes new. The circuitry and pres on the 388 are fine and should be sufficient for most anybody, unless you're really "anal" about it. Provided your machine is in perfect working order, all you need is some 57's, perhaps some comps and effects and the "know how" and ... that's it!

Daniel
Click to expand...


Thanks Daniel and everyone else.

I already have some good mics, a decent compressor and just got a decent SONY DPS-55 effects processor. I'm VERY happy with the quality recordings I'm getting. It was a friend of a friend who heard a couple of my demos and who also praises the 338 who suggested an outboard preamp of good quality would make my already very good sounding demos come to life even more. I only spoke with him for a few moments, however he does run a local studio and engineers at a local radio station so his advice isn't without some knowledge. I do have the money to build up my studio more and yes I do realize my 388 isn't going to sound as good as a major label master, I'm just trying to cover all angels and when this was brought up I thought I'd run it by a you guys.
 
Herm said:
Line in is still going through the 388 preamps I think the only differance is impedance.
Click to expand...

Not according to the block diagram in the manual it isn't. According to that Line In bypasses the pre and goes straight to the EQ section.

;)
 
Well I stand corrected. But You know Mark Im going to have to get my book out and look it up. ;)
 
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