No Preamp needed?

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ver1ver2

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Hi,

I have a esi esp1010 soundcard (10 inputs) and an old drumkit in my room. Now, I have some mics here and although I dont have a decent set of preamps yet (only one for my ' overhead ' mic) I just put these mics (sm57 and 2 sennheiser e series) in the soundcard. I expected to have a really low signal and a lot of noise but the signal was quite ok, and the soundcard software showed that it was actually at 75% of its 'capacity' ... So my question: do I need preamps for these dynamic mics? Do I really miss something... I cannot really compare yet 'cause I dont know how they should sound if they really needed preamps..

Tx

Tom
 
I'm sure out of the many people that have read it, most have thought something along the lines of "I'd say go with a preamp" Best I know to tell you is, pickup a decent preamp and try it both ways, stick with whichever sounds better.
 
All mics need a preamp. I don't know anything about your soundcard, though.

Did you actually record sound this way? How does it sound to you?
 
Most of the time, the drums are going to be PLENTY loud enough that you'll have to turn down to a point. Preamps for the most part, amplify the incoming weak signal and drums usually will have no problems with needing to be amplified considering a source such as a dynamic mic. While it's not a matter of right or wrong, there is no real necessity for preamps when recording drums and you can usually go direct in from your soundcard without pres. If you plug a preamp in, you could actually risk getting too hot of a signal and then having to resort to a comp/limiter to keep the signals tame.
 
If your signals are too hot going into a preamp, you need a pad. There are other variables other than signal level, such as input impedence and how the pre reacts to the mic and vice/versa. If I'm looking at the right card, I'm seeing you have two mic pres. I'd just buy a 6 or eight channel mixer with direct outs or inserts to use along with it. As stated/hinted, it's more a question of how it sounds than how it works.
 
Thanks for the replies!

Well it sounded like what I expected, but after all: its my first drum recording so I cannot really compare. Conclusion for now (with my budget constrictions): There is no need for preamps if the signal is loud enough, except if you want to enhance the sound (to get thAt specific sound).

Am I right ?

Tx
 
again, it's going to be a matter of preference, and also depends on what you use. Noone can tell you what you think sounds good...
 
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