Pre-Amps: What are they & why do I need one?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Beany
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Beany

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Could someone please tell me what a pre-amp is and what it is used for?

I want to record vocals using a PC, and I get the impression that I should run the mic through a pre-amp first...is this done to simply amplify the signal?

I also get the impression from some threads on this board that I should not record guitar directly into the "Line-in" on my PC...do I need a pre-amp for this also? Will the same pre-amp do?
 
Traditionally a preamp takes the signal from a microphone which is very low and amplifies it uo to a level where devices like recorders can deal with it. Also the better the preamp, the better the result. Preamps of different manufacturers have different sonic personalitys, that is they have their own sound.
DO you need a preamp? In my opinion, yes. It'll outperform pre's in a cheep soundcard anyday.
As far as going direct, it's a matter of taste. I think an amp properly mic'd up sounds better than direct. YMMV.
 
Thanks Track Rat...I have a Soundblaster Audigy soundcard...Is there any way to test what an acceptable recording level is, so that I can decide whether I need a pre-amp or not?

If I recorded vocals using my soundcard and then amplify the result by using some wav-edit software, would I get more "hiss" than if I used a pre-amp?
 
Is there any way to test what an acceptable recording level is, so that I can decide whether I need a pre-amp or not?
Click to expand...

That's up to you to decide...If you're happy with the sound you're getting...
A preamp doesn't only amplify a signal. It will also make it sound a lot better (ie clearer, more precise, more upfront, more 'there') than the preamp from the 'mic-in' on a Soundblaster

If I recorded vocals using my soundcard and then amplify the result by using some wav-edit software, would I get more "hiss" than if I used a pre-amp?
Click to expand...

Yep, if you're talking about using "normalizing" which is the 'newbie' way of making stuff louder, you will raise the noise level as well when you normalize, so using a preamp would be much quieter
 
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