T
to_see_me
New member
Is it the same this as phantom power? Does XLR inputs with preamp mean phantom power?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Stealthtech
LOGIC ABUSER
Mics alone are low level...they need a preamp to boost the signal so to speak. A gain amplifier more less.
Phantom power is for mics that require a DC voltage to operate.
Phantom power is for mics that require a DC voltage to operate.
R
Richard Monroe
Well-known member
Yo, tootsie! Welcome to the board. Mics put out a weak signal, generally called "mic level". It is too weak to be recorded directly, so a preamp is necessary to raise it to "line level". Preamps can be found in mixers, stand alone recorders, as outboard rack mount units, in some of the better sound cards, and even in acoustic-electric guitars. The preamp is critical to your sound quality, especially when multi-tracking.
Everytime a signal is sent through a preamp, a certain amount of noise is generated. Cheap preamps produce more noise, and everytime you add another track, you add a little more noise, and after a certain point, it sucks. Some preamps add selective distortion, often called "warmth", which can be good or bad. These preamps add their own character to sound, and are called "colored". Other preamps are "clean", and add as little as possible to the sound, they just make it louder. It's like the difference between a guitar amp (colored) and a home audio amp (clean).
All but a very few mics need a preamp, and this is one area where expensive ones simply work better, at least up to a point. Most home studios use a mixer for many channels of preamps, like drums, where a lot of mics are used. They will also have a few channels with the best pres they can afford, to get the clearest sound on things like vocals and acoustic instruments. You can get 6 preamps in a Behringer mixer for $80, or top of the line stuff for more like $2500 per channel, and everything in between. Which do you guess will sound better?
Condenser mics are a sensitive breed often used in recording. They require power to be fed back up the cable to charge their diaphragms. This is called "phantom" power, usually 48v nominally. A device that produces phantom power will usually have a switch labeled "48v". Some condensers are called "tube" or "valve" mics. They have a vacuum tube in them that requires more power than phantom power can provide, so they come with a separate power supply, and don't need phantom power. Most mic preamps, most mixers, some stand alone recorders, and a very few sound cards produce phantom power.
XLR connectors are the 3-pin type usually found on mics. Most mixers and recorders with XLR mic inputs produce phantom power, but not all. Especially some of the smaller multitrack recorders have XLR ins, but no phantom power, such as Boss Br-532. These are generally intended for use with dynamic mics, which don't require phantom power. There are also a few condensers that can be powered by a battery if there is no phantom power. You can also buy a small phantom power supply box for about $45, if you want to plug your condenser mic into a device with no phantom power. Hope this helps.-Richie
Everytime a signal is sent through a preamp, a certain amount of noise is generated. Cheap preamps produce more noise, and everytime you add another track, you add a little more noise, and after a certain point, it sucks. Some preamps add selective distortion, often called "warmth", which can be good or bad. These preamps add their own character to sound, and are called "colored". Other preamps are "clean", and add as little as possible to the sound, they just make it louder. It's like the difference between a guitar amp (colored) and a home audio amp (clean).
All but a very few mics need a preamp, and this is one area where expensive ones simply work better, at least up to a point. Most home studios use a mixer for many channels of preamps, like drums, where a lot of mics are used. They will also have a few channels with the best pres they can afford, to get the clearest sound on things like vocals and acoustic instruments. You can get 6 preamps in a Behringer mixer for $80, or top of the line stuff for more like $2500 per channel, and everything in between. Which do you guess will sound better?
Condenser mics are a sensitive breed often used in recording. They require power to be fed back up the cable to charge their diaphragms. This is called "phantom" power, usually 48v nominally. A device that produces phantom power will usually have a switch labeled "48v". Some condensers are called "tube" or "valve" mics. They have a vacuum tube in them that requires more power than phantom power can provide, so they come with a separate power supply, and don't need phantom power. Most mic preamps, most mixers, some stand alone recorders, and a very few sound cards produce phantom power.
XLR connectors are the 3-pin type usually found on mics. Most mixers and recorders with XLR mic inputs produce phantom power, but not all. Especially some of the smaller multitrack recorders have XLR ins, but no phantom power, such as Boss Br-532. These are generally intended for use with dynamic mics, which don't require phantom power. There are also a few condensers that can be powered by a battery if there is no phantom power. You can also buy a small phantom power supply box for about $45, if you want to plug your condenser mic into a device with no phantom power. Hope this helps.-Richie
T
to_see_me
New member
Holy Cow!
Damn! Thanks for the explanation Richie, that is exactly the info I was looking for. I'm new (obviously) to home recording so this is tremendously helpful.
Damn! Thanks for the explanation Richie, that is exactly the info I was looking for. I'm new (obviously) to home recording so this is tremendously helpful.
SPINSTERWUN
Active member
Here is an additional answer to your question.
http://www.rane.com/par-a.html#amplifier
And......... here is a glossary for you....
http://www.rane.com/digi-dic.html
http://www.rane.com/par-a.html#amplifier
And......... here is a glossary for you....
http://www.rane.com/digi-dic.html