Mic Pre's for AW4416

[amt7565]

I live in an apartment- so I can't play anything loud. I have been trying to record using Sm57 for my electric guitar. But seems like the sensitivity is pretty low when I play at the volume I like. The level meters don't go more than 20dB on the level meter.
I like to know if getting an external pre-amp will help me here?
Can I play soft and still get a good level on the AW4416? I want a higher range. What pre's do you recommend if that will help? Let's assume I am playing accoustic guitars for comparison.

Thanks.

 

[mandocaster]

The pre's on my AW4416 sound pretty good, but they don't have a lot of gain.

An SM57 would not be my first choice for acoustic guitar, an SP B1 is in the same price range, have more output and sound better.


I have a Groove Tubes Brick, and it does sound better on some sources. But... the AW4416 pre's are pretty nice.

 

[amt7565]

The pre's on my AW4416 sound pretty good, but they don't have a lot of gain.

An SM57 would not be my first choice for acoustic guitar, an SP B1 is in the same price range, have more output and sound better.


I have a Groove Tubes Brick, and it does sound better on some sources. But... the AW4416 pre's are pretty nice.

So you think if I get a SP B1, that would help with the gain? Do you have a AW4416 as well? I am only recording Electric guitar. But I want to be able to record at low volumes. Thanks

 

[mandocaster]

It is my understanding that it has more output. I picked it because it was cheap and well regarded. My AT4040 certainly has more gain than my Shure dynamics.

 

[ermghoti]

What amp are you playing? If it's a tube amp, it won't sound its best until the neighbors call the police. If it's not, you would do better with a up-to-date modeler than micing. I have heard some decent stuff out of the new Pods, and the V-amps.

 

[amt7565]

What amp are you playing? If it's a tube amp, it won't sound its best until the neighbors call the police. If it's not, you would do better with a up-to-date modeler than micing. I have heard some decent stuff out of the new Pods, and the V-amps.

I have a THD Univalve- so I get good saturation at low volumes. Pretty happy!

I am done with using modelers etc. Now I want to try tubes.
Thanks.

 

[travelin travis]

I have a THD Univalve- so I get good saturation at low volumes. Pretty happy!

I am done with using modelers etc. Now I want to try tubes.
Thanks.

amen brother! i'd love to have one of those thd low watt heads. how's it sounding?

 

[amt7565]

amen brother! i'd love to have one of those thd low watt heads. how's it sounding?

It's unbelievable man! Love this machine. To make it even quiter, I have order a set of new tubes. the possibilities on this thing are endless! The built in Hotplate is awesome.

I got mine from Avatarspeakers for only $659.00. Give it a try.

 

[travelin travis]

yea, i see they have a package deal when you buy a cab from them. i would love to snatch one of those but unfortunately, i'm going to be so fucking broke for good while. i just quit my job and am about to move to another state to join a house of musicians. i'll just have to work with what i have for awhile.

 

[gordone]

You've been on here long enough to realize that you need to plug the microphone into the XLR input on the AW4416, NOT the 1/4" line input. It would have also been in the manual, that little stack of papers (sort of like a small book) that came in the box.

 

[mandocaster]

You've been on here long enough to realize that you need to plug the microphone into the XLR input on the AW4416, NOT the 1/4" line input. It would have also been in the manual, that little stack of papers (sort of like a small book) that came in the box.

The little stack of papers explains that the 1/4" inputs have mic pre's just like the XLR's.

 

[gordone]

Doah! So scratch my manual rant

But it's still like Recording 101 that microphones go into XLR inputs (unless they say Radio Shack or Realistic on them)

And you'd think (hope/pray) that someome who is able to buy a Yamaha AW4416 and has been here since 2002 would know that...

The little stack of papers explains that the 1/4" inputs have mic pre's just like the XLR's.

 

[amt7565]

Some one from another forum also pointed out the problem. The manual does not mention the difference between the XLR and the 1/4". It simply states them as the same and the input was just a matter of choice on the cables. Even the block diagram does not show this.

As you might know the AW4416 manual sucks big time.

I am going to get an XLR-XLR cable today!
Thanks folks!

 

[amt7565]

This was posted on another foum when I asked if there was a difference:

" as long as the connexion is balanced (XLR or TRS - tip /ring /sleeve = "stereo"- jack)there's absolutely no difference. if you use a XLR to TS jack cable(tip + sleeve = "mono"),the connection becomes unbalanced you're most likely to get hums and noises and lose 3 dB (which is a lot : 50% less ).
all this is for dynamic mics or battery powered electret mics, but if you use a condenser mic, you need to use the XLR for 48 V dc phantom power."


I am using XLR--TRS. So I guess it does not make a difference. I will get the cable anyway.