Do i need a preamp?

[rydberg87]

i have a mixer (tascam 246) and a microphone, when i record vocals i plug the mic in the mixer and the mixer to the pc, do i need a preamp?
and if i do, why?
sometimes i record my acoustic guitar too, with microphones in front of the guitar into the mixer>pc

 

[AbuseTheMuses]

It sounds like your mixer must already have a preamp if you can hear a mic signal through it. Some people prefer having separate preamps for sound purity sort of reasons, as some built-in pre's are considered inferior quality to a solid standalone dedicated one. If it works for you then go with it. Heck I still use the preamps on my cassette 4 track because I never had a problem with how they sounded.

 

[moresound]

I guess if your happy with he out come of your recordings then all is fine.
But if you have nothing to A/B that to to will never know the difference.
Sometimes a stand alone pre can make a world of difference other times it is a very subtle notability.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Your Tascam has preamps. If you're looking to upgrade consider getting a decent interface.

 

[Steenamaroo]

you already have a preamp (probably several in your mixer)

the 'problem' if you perceive it to be one is the method of connecting that preamp to your pc.


it sounds like you're running the mixer to a standard soundcard's line input, right?

if you are, that'll work, but not sound great compared to the other options available.

an 'interface' does exactly the same thing as your sound card, but at a much higher quality.

some interfaces have preamps built into them, some don't, but either way they take your pc sound card out of the equation.


hope that helps.