a couple preamp questions.

[ralf]

i have a few questions about preamps, i'm sure you can help:
-what exactly does it do?
-since most come as "dual channel" would i need 3 preamps if i wanted to do 6 drum tracks or does it work more like an effect processor?
-do i need inline hookups for a preamp like a do for a compressor or (like in the last question) can i hook it up to an auxilary?
please fill me in on these questions and any thing else you thing i should know before buying one of these. thanks guys!
-Ralf

 

[DigitMus]

A preamp is (generally) used to bring the output of a microphone up to line level for input into a recording device, mixer, compressor, sound card, etc. You will need one channel per microphone, and the microphone plugs directly into it. 99.9% of the time you don't use one in an effects loop, auxiliary, group buss & so on - it should be the first device (beside the microphone) in your signal chain. Hope this helps.

Scott

 

[Scriabin]

1. just because the preamp might say "tube" somewhere on the face plate, does not mean that its better or warmer than a solid state.
2. usually anything below the 1000 dollar mark will not get you a pro preamp.
3. the best deal on a transparent preamp below the 1000 dollar mark would be a grace design or a davisound.
4. stay away from bellari
5. stay away from art
6. stay away behringer
and you'll do just fine