confused on pre-amping a dynamic

[danboy777]

Hi, I am looking to buy the lexicon to use with my sm58 for voice only. Can I or can;t I use the pre-amp as I have found that without a preamp going straight to my soundcard, my level are way too low. And yes, I have checked all the mic levels, boost etc..

 

[Track Rat]

ALL microphones require a preamp.

 

[cominginsecond]

I think he's saying that the preamp in his Lexicon Omega doesn't have enough power.

Well, that's that. If you need a hotter preamp, you need a hotter preamp. I'd be a little surprised if the preamp in the Omega is absolutely unusable with a 58, though. I'd exhaust all other possible options before you bought a preamp.

 

[tdukex]

Hi, I am looking to buy the lexicon to use with my sm58 for voice only. Can I or can;t I use the pre-amp as I have found that without a preamp going straight to my soundcard, my level are way too low. And yes, I have checked all the mic levels, boost etc..

Why do you want the Lexicon? I think you will get better results with a good PCI sound card (M-Audio 24/96 Audiophile @ $99, e.g.) and a preamp like the M-Audio DMP3 or the Rane MS1b ($150 - $160)

 

[cominginsecond]

Maybe he's got a laptop.

 

[danboy777]

I want the lexicon omega because

I want the lexicon omega because it seems a pretty nice solution for plug and play. I like that it allows for 2 microphones and also the reviews seem pretty good. The soundcard involves more hassle than I want to deal with. All I am doing is recorded voice - spoken word. I like the portability of the lexicon omega too. I can have it with my next computer too. Thanks for the ffedback. I was just concerned as I have read that pre-amping a dynamic is bad. The reality is my e-machine soundcard stinks and I know that my levels could be better with the lexicon... I hope so anyway and it seems to be true from what I have read.

 

[Monkey Allen]

So you guys reckon that for recording say, an acoustic guitar into you PC sound card, you should use a pre amp (preamp is like a power supply right? like a phantom)....and you should not just plug the mic lead straight into a sound card that has a little built in pre amp...like a creative sounblaster live 5.1 lpatinum?

 

[heroics321]

a preamp takes the mic level and boosts it to a usable level. an external one functions in the same manner as the one in a soundblaster card, but usually does it much better, cleaner, and quieter. phantom power has nothing to do with the preamplification process, it simply provides power for onboard electronics in mics and certain direct boxes, and power supplies just feed power to a device like a preamp, computer, mixer, etc.

 

[tdukex]

Right, a preamp is not a power supply. A preamp takes the low-level output from a mic and amplifies it to line level so it can be used by other audio gear, including sound cards. Most preamps also have the phantom power option for use with condenser mics.

You need a preamp with both dynamic and condenser mics.

 

[Monkey Allen]

So if I use an external preamp so that my mic recordings are quieter and cleaner, and suitably louder.....if I then connect the preamp to the mic input of my soundcard (that has its own preamp)....will I be losing quality...because you know how you said the onboard soundcard preamps are not as good....so if you use an external preamp, should you connect it to your soundcard via the line in jack?

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

so if you use an external preamp, should you connect it to your soundcard via the line in jack?

Bingo!

The external pre will bring the signal from your mic up to line level so that's the input you want.

(what's your username a referrence to? It's ringing bells but I can't think where it's from).

 

[Monkey Allen]

So don't go into the soundcard from an external preamp via the "mic in"? Go through the "line in"??


hahaha

"Monkey Allen".....The Office mate, The Office

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

So don't go into the soundcard from an external preamp via the "mic in"? Go through the "line in"??

You've got it

hahaha

"Monkey Allen".....The Office mate, The Office

*slaps head* that's it.