Hi there...putting preamps in front of RME babyface

[Poncherel]

HI, I'm new here.
i would like to know if the signal into my computer could be improved if i put some half decent preamp channels in front of an RME babyface..or is there little point....for instance would the babyface preamps be adversely affected by this....the reason i ask is i'm doing some research into the babyface and wonder if i can colour the signal before it goes in..or am i stuck with the babyface's preamps? (not that they are bad)

cheers,
Ben

 

[miroslav]

I think the Input on the Babyface is a combi Mic/Line....so just switch the source from Mic to Line on it and then use the external preamp, taking its Line Out to the Babyface.

Unless you are going to drop some $$$ for a decent external preamp, and/or use one that is very colored with a signature sound....you will probably not hear much difference.

You can always "color" the sound afterwards if you are after something specifc, and/or use a mic that has more "color".

 

[Poncherel]

that was quick, thanks miro...so just stick with the babyface?....i was thinking golden age project 73 preamps...

a more general question...i have my computer box in the other room..so there is a 5 metre run of cable...at the moment I'm running out of an ART digital MPA which preamps and converts the signal into digital along the 5 metre run then into an emu 1212m pci....i know its probably old fashiioned (can one be old-fashioned in digital? ) but i like pci/pcie /spdif/AESconnections..it feels more solid to me.I'm not after these lightweight mobile setups really....what possible setups do you reckon i could use for this situation...i'd like to get good quality per Euro...error free and lowest latency...i record no more than 2 channnels at once (acoustic instruments) so don't need loads of inputs.
for instance would it work to have two channels of preamp at the front of the chain then analogue signal to the soundcard where its converted..or the converters early in the chain etc?
cheer.