Mic Pre Bypass?

[Randjons]

I have a D12 Korg and I wonder if phantom 48 is going thru my input 1 or any other input.I didn't see anything in the manual.The D1200 has phantom,it is very similar.If I got a Mic pre and run the output thru my D12 would the signal be a true condensor mike sound or would it be only as good as the D12.I don't have a mixer as I use the D12 as a budget mixer,I have a Sennheiser 835 and it sounds good,but I was looking at the Sting Sennheiser or Audix Om7 or possibly the C1 from Studio Projects.But all this talk of a 500 dollar Mic pre to get a good sound.I would like to keep monitor noise at bay.I would like better vocal sounds so I am looking at better dynamic mikes or upping to a condenser,whats best,I am all ears.In a 12 by 15 room and I am a baritone,I do alternative rock,lows around Springsteen and highs around Winwood.

 

[Treeline]

How about going one step at a time? If you want to try out a condenser mic, nearly any outboard preamp will give you as good or better sound than the preamps on an older tracker. Many here (including me) have had good luck with the M-Audio DMP3 preamp. It's not perfect, and you will hear the difference between this and the gourmet grade stuff, but so what? It's a giant step forward, so don't be afraid to take it. Street price varies; I picked it up at 8th Street for $200. You can now find it online for less. Watch out for vendors selling returned or "B-stock" inventory.

As far as mics, the search function will yield endless comparisons and the threads are worth reading. I went for a pair of Studio Projects B1 (along with a bunch of other stuff) and have found them to be fantastic. But I also found that the SM57 dynamic Wakes Right Up when running through the DMP3. So does the budget Access 1, a $50 Shure dynamic that I use a lot for live vocals because it is warm and has a strong midrange. So the key may be hidden in the preamp, not just the choice of mic. YMMV.

 

[Randjons]

Thanks for the tip Treeline.The M-Audio DMP3 gets a lot of airtime on threads.I see in a buyers guide it lists for 250.Heard many quote 119 dollars on a special.See it has no EQ.My korg has internal EQ,something like an effect.I guess my question still remains concerning the output from the Mic Pre.The output going back through my digital recorder would be the new signal from the Mic pre,not the limited compressors from the Korg.I didn't see phantom listed anywhere in the manual,only on the next Korg D1200,the next version.Like you say old mixers are not as robust as a Mic pre pushing the microphones.Don't know if a condensor would be good for all the other noise it would pick up in the room,I have acoustic panels blocking off the air conditioner and other noisy things.The Sennheiser doesn't pick up much other noise,gotta watch pops and boomy B sounds,stuff like that.Mike technique cuts out stuff by singing to the side for P sounds and getting away or to the top of the microphone.Gets to be exercise always in mind not to blast or keeping ones distance.