Do I really need an external mic pre-amp?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jeffree
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jeffree

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Just wondering if anyone can explain the basic advantages of using an external pre-amp for recording. My stand-alone DAW (Yamaha aw16g) has internal pre-amps, with phantom power, but nearly everyone I read seems to have purchased an external pre-amp, even if it's a rather cheap one. Why?

Thanks for enlightening me,

J.
 
Because the laws of physics dictates that a couple of these is going to cost more than your whole Yamaha thingy-ma-jig
 
As for buying cheap ones. Just so everything doesn't sound the same.
 
Yo Jeffree:

I've got two mic pres. The ART two channel which is moderate cost. It works fine and if I run drums and chords together to set up a song, I can use it.

The other is a GRACE DESIGN 101. This one costs more and has only one channel -- very nice mellow sound -- I use this one for vocals but it can be used for my synth or whatever.

Usually I don't need a mic pre for drums since my drum machine has a volume boost and drums need to bang and clang. Vocals, on the other hand, need to have headroom and clarity -- I like vocals up front in the mix.

You don't need to spend your life savings on a mic pre but a few dollars invested in a good one will help the quality of your work.

I seldom use the mic pres on my Yam 2816.

Cheers,
Green Hornet
:D :p :D
 
A decent mic-pre can reduce the noise that does accumulate. That noise/distortion is additive, which means that while you may not hear a whole lot when you play back one track, it is likely to be somewhat more noticeable when you play back 16 tracks. Some pres have such a low distortion level, that you would hear a noticeably 'cleaner' sound. Then again, there are pres (like tube pres, and no, I don't mean the ART Tube MP) that will colour the sound in a way that is generally pleasing to the human ear. Those are the two main reasons why people buy external pres. Then there is the 'I have more and better toys than you' reason, which many here will deny, but that denial doesn't make it any less true...

:cool:
 
I have a question for you Green Hornet; you say you seldom use the internal pres on your 2816-- how do you bypass them? I've read where people turn down the gain on the internal pre and just use the gain from the external pre, but you're still running the signal through two pre's. So, it would seem that the overall signal quality/sound quality is still being affected by the yam's internal pre's. I have a 2816, and sometimes I feel the pre's are not as good as I would like. I don't want to spend top dollar on a pre just to have it run through another cheap pre. Perhaps you could get the optional I/O expansion and bypass it this way.
 
Hell no!
It all depends on what you're after. If you think your vocal needs more distinction or smoothness then you might want a nice preamp but need...no.
You can do plenty with whatever you have stock on whatever. I did very clean recordings on a cheap Yamaha 4 track.
Depends on what you want out of your recordings.

If you are poor like I am I doubt a mid-level preamp is going to be a great cost effective investment.

Spend the money on a better mixer and you will get better pres with the deal...a lot more of them.
 
Yo Dr. Paul:

I plug my mic or a patch cord from the synth into the Grace 101; I run the out plug into the Yam's XLR usually.

I do not turn up the dial on the onboard mic pre on the 2816.

I'm assuming that the sound I hear is generated and treated by the Grace 101 as I can increase/decrease its output using the dials on the Grace unit.

I adjust the fader, usually to the normal spot and set the dials on the Grace.

So, if I've got it right, my signal goes from sound source to mic pre to 2816. Since I don't turn up the dial on the mic pre, it has no affect on the signal.

Green Hornet:D :D :cool:
 
Thanks, guys. I guess I've been worrying because I need to almost max out my 16G's trim to get a strong enough signal.
I never like pushing any amp/pre-amp to the max although I'm not noticing extra noise.

I appreciate your thoughts,

J.
 
Your recorder pres are weak. I had the same problem with my Korg pres. Max em out to get enough signal......get a bunch of hiss on accumulated tracks. Believe me, you'll notice a vast improvement in your noise level when you get a ( some ) decent preamp(s). I finally got a RNP and most of the noise is gone. On most sources now my tracks have no audible background noise. What a relief! Still have to crank the SM57 & SM58 all the way up to get them sounding good though. There's a little noise there but the recording is marvelous. You'll also notice that your tracks are much clearer and your stereo perspective is much sharper. Weak, muddy preamps....bummer. Get a decent outboard as soon as you can. Yes, it's worth it.
 
I also use the Yam AW16G & have found exactly the same problem with the mic preamps on board - I'm pretty much thinking it's gonna be essential to get some kind of outboard gear for a decent recording.
I've been looking at the TL audio Fat Man 2 preamp/compressor & also the Joe Meek MQ3 - both get excellent reviews in the various online pro audio sites.
Anybody have any experience with either of these, or can suggest another (reasonably inexpensive ) alternative?
Thanks.
 
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