Any downside to using 2 preamps?

  • Thread starter Thread starter damianhk
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damianhk

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I'm looking to get another preamp - maybe joemeek 3q or Studio Projects vtb1. I noticed that the vtb1 doesn't have compression. Would it be wise to go through the vtb1, then out to another Preamp/compressor (art tube pac)? Will this degrade the signal, help it, or not affect it? Or, should i sell my tube pac, and get a compressor, or get an all in one preamp/compressor like the joemeek 3q?
 
A preamp puts out line-level and that art unit appears only to have microphone level inputs.
That means you can't just use it for compression.

I'd say mic -> art -> interface (with compression)
mic -> other preamp -> interface (without compression)

A preamp takes a microphone level signal and amplifies it to line level.
Once that's done, all your I/O should be line level.

If you're interested in outboard effects it might be better to buy a standalone line I/O compressor unit, and some straight forward preamps with line output.
 
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of course this is not typical, as outboard or dedicated post processing units would be the way and not sure but thinking a plug in comp would be a better option than going back into your other pre/comp setup. I wouldn't do it, as I am not so sure your VTB1 comp is worth doing it with. But it is possible....

If your VTB (never used one) has a line level input that of course would work, but also you could feed it back into your VTB pre with no gain and PAD engaged and run it thru the comp if u really wanted to.

Try some plug ins and better and obvious, buy some outboard gear (easier said that done, I know) if plug ins are not for u.
 
Steenamaroo said:
A preamp takes a microphone level signal and amplifies it to line level.
Click to expand...
This is a common misconception. A preamp takes any signal and amplifiers it as much as you tell it to as long as the resulting output isn't larger than it can faithfully produce. Most will go down at least to unity, and many even have pads to attenuate a too loud input.

A somewhat more realistic concern would be that of impedance. Most line outs are plenty low enough, and most modern mic pres are about big enough. It can sometimes be a close thing depending on the specifics of the devices, but in my experience it is only rarely a real issue. I do it all the time on various random systems.

What it will do to the signal, of course, depends on the units and your tastes. After all, one man's "degredation" is another man's "character". One thing we can say for sure is that it will add at least some small amount of noise. It's only a problem if it's a problem, though, and you really can't know that for sure until you plug it in.
 
good info. I'm selling tube pac, and will save and wait a little while, and buy an all in one recording channel.
 
What's the point, Ashcat? Surely there's something better to do today?

Only one of us is misleading the OP.
 
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