Mic pre amp question

[Glenn Cimera]

I have a VF80 w/ CD burner. I notice a soft hiss in the background of the CD's I've burned. I plug an MXL 603s directly into the unit. Would a pre-amp eliminate the hiss? The signal seems strong enough without a pre, so I guess my question is what else would a pre-amp do besides give a stronger signal from the mic?
Any suggestions for a pre for acoustic fingerstyle recording under $350?
Thank you for helping!

 

[billisa]

Any suggestions for a pre for acoustic fingerstyle recording under $350?
Thank you for helping!

The Studio Projects VTB1 is a one-channel preamp that's VERY QUIET, even if you choose to dial in the tube circuit. ($130.00 for one, $260.00 for two)

You can turn down the VF80 trim all the way and use the VTB1 for all the gain you'll need.

BUT, the hiss will only drop to the level of the highest noise in the chain. If the MXL's have, say and S/N ratio of 75db, then even though the VF80 is like 82db, and the VTB1 is 129db, you'll still have an overall S/N ratio of 75db on EVERY track that the MXL's are used on. 6 tracks with a tiny bit of hiss can add up to a final mix with much more noticeable noise.

Make sure that your inputs levels are hitting near the very top dotted line on the VF80 (without peaking). If you have to add a lot of gain later in mixdown, then you will tend to hear more noise. So try and keep your input levels pretty strong.

Be careful because some other budget preamps tend to be noisy.

There is an M-Audio DMP3 people like (2-channel for $150.00). Also the FMR-Audio RNP (Really Nice Preamp) is VERY well liked by some. I think it's about $300.00 for 2-channels.

 

[oh_the_blood]

will my vf80 have a hiss too with my studio projects b1 billsa?

 

[billisa]

will my vf80 have a hiss too with my studio projects b1 billsa?

Almost all setups will have at least some hiss, (background noise) but with a B1, it's awfully quiet. So quiet that even just recording spoken voice will easily cover whatever hiss there might be. On my recordings with the VF80/B1, you'd have to put your ear right up to the speaker during very quiet passages to hear it -- and remember, even CD players, amps, etc. have their own "hiss" too. Guitar preamps/pickups will also have some "noise". Usually the playing is loud enough that you don't notice.

The important thing is, with proper micing (12 inches from the guitar, up the neck a bit, and proper gain, so that your levels are good and strong, your recordings should be VERY quiet.

Remember, you'll need to be a bit away from the VF80 or the mic will pick up some HardDrive whirring. The thing is, the overall equipment is so quiet and sensisitive that stuff that normally would be buried under tape hiss can now be heard -- the neighbors A/C, the boiler in the basement. I usually record at night so the neighborhood noises are at a minimum.