Do I need Preamps on high SPL source?

[JM350]

An input intended for lowZ XLR microphones usually offers a lower impedance and of course a lot more gain than a line input.

A dynamic mic will function run into a line input but your level will be quite low unless you have a really loud source like close mic'ed drums, also many dynamic mics don't sound so good with an improper impedance load. An XLR to 1/4" transformer/adapter will get your input impedance where it needs to be but you will still have very low gain. The wonders of digital recording will let you make up for this quite a bit by boosting the level digitally, certainly not the best sound quality (as you are boosting noise as well as signal) but as someone said earlier it sounds way better than you might guess for going about it all wrong.

Condenser mics, especially transformerless ones are affected much less by improper input impedance and in most cases have anywhere from quite a bit more output to a hell of a lot more than dynamic mics do. A hot condenser on a loud source can have much more gain than many preamps want to see so if you don't have a pad plugging into the line input might actually be a better way to go, of course you would need a battery powered mic, or a mic with a seperate supply to power it as a line input isn't going to provide phantom power.

 

[mixsit]

An input intended for lowZ XLR microphones usually offers a lower impedance and of course a lot more gain than a line input.

A dynamic mic will function run into a line input but your level will be quite low unless you have a really loud source like close mic'ed drums, also many dynamic mics don't sound so good with an improper impedance load. An XLR to 1/4" transformer/adapter will get your input impedance where it needs to be but you will still have very low gain. The wonders of digital recording will let you make up for this quite a bit by boosting the level digitally, certainly not the best sound quality (as you are boosting noise as well as signal) but as someone said earlier it sounds way better than you might guess for going about it all wrong.

Condenser mics, especially transformerless ones are affected much less by improper input impedance and in most cases have anywhere from quite a bit more output to a hell of a lot more than dynamic mics do. A hot condenser on a loud source can have much more gain than many preamps want to see so if you don't have a pad plugging into the line input might actually be a better way to go, of course you would need a battery powered mic, or a mic with a seperate supply to power it as a line input isn't going to provide phantom power.

Bingo! I think we have a winner.

 

[KevinDrummer]

Thanks, everyone. In response to which input on that picture I was using, that would be the Left Mono 1/4 input on "Line In 3/4" with a dynamic through a transformer.

I may end up getting a cheap preamp, but I think I'm safe to try some cheaper options first. I do have preamps for the important and/or lower SPL stuff. Not disageeing with crazydoc in overall concept, but the title of my post is for "high SPL". My drum close mics are going to be a lot more signal than a key jangle.