Good Pre-Amp for Microphones

  • Thread starter Thread starter MikeDog
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MikeDog

New member
Howdy!

Please forgive me if this is the incorrect forum, but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a microphone pre-amp in my home recording system. I'm using n-track on a Celery 400 w/128 MB RAM with a SoundBlaster Live! Card. I know it's not "professional" quality equipment, but I just want something so I can get a decent signal out of my microphone. Thanks in advance.

MikeDog
 
Yo MikeDOG: [bow-wow?]

I have an ART twin channel mic pre and it works fine. [contains phantom power too]

But, then, there is the Martinsound line of mic pre-amps. Nice stuff but in the 2 grand range. Haven't gone that way yet. And, in between, there are all kinds. But, for the money, the ART will do a good job.

Have fun sending signals,

Green Hornet
 
GH:

How much does the ART run? Do they have a website? Thanks.

MikeDog
 
Get the Dual channel Tube MP... I'm stuck with the single which is an ok little unit, but lacks some nice features of the dual. Most noteably, a power switch :)

Slackmaster 2000
 
I've seen the Art Dual for around $250 in several online places. Last place I checked was 8thstreet.com ($259 US.) I have heard it is worth the extra money from several people, and that's the one I'm saving for.
 
If you've got the $200 SB LIVE! it has S/PDIF I/O and you might want to get a pre with superior A/D converters rather than mangle the clean signal from the ART with the crappy converters in the SB card.
For this may I suggest the dbx 386 stereo tube mic pre. Under $5 bills, USD. Clean analog and digital outs that are independently adjustable and usable simultaneously.
This is very useful for setting up a headphone mix for multitracking while sending the newly recorded signal digitally to your soundcard all by itself.
Phantom power, Low Cut Filter, Phase Reverse and 20 dB Pad independently on both channels. Bare minimum for a stereo mic pre. :)
Plus: 24/20/16 bit capable.
44.1/48/88.2/96 KHz capable.
AES/EBU or S/PDIF or balanced or unbalanced analog output.
Two shaping and Two Dithering schemes.
2 12-segment meters selectable for analog or digital output.
The dbx Type IV conversion system which is a very useful feature. Their "can't clip it" claim is a bit exaggerated but basically the truth.
 
Oops, I should have said I have a SB Live! Value. I don't have any digital inputs, save the MIDI port. Sorry bout that...

MikeDog
 
I keep recommending the Behringer MX802-A mixer. It costs only $119; has four mono mic inputs/preamps with gain controls; four line inputs/preamps configured as two stereo input channels; phantom power, 3-band eq, aux, panning, and level controls on all channels; aux sends and receives; tape in/outs, and other features.

[This message has been edited by tdukex (edited 05-27-2000).]
 
Yo MikeDog:>

I guess the guys have SAID IT ALL AND GIVEN SOME GOOD INFORMATION.

The trouble with getting a mic preamp is that it is an item that we buyers do not get to listen to live!!! If you live near Sweetwater or Full Compass, then, you might get a live audition of the gear.

So, if you can find someone who has a studio, maybe you can get to hear the gear. I like my ART dual channel; however, there is better stuff out there. The prices given in these posts for the ART dual are better than what I paid a couple of years ago.

Green Hornet
 
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