Preamp ques.

[PCFour]

Heya, im new to this forum so please do not be angry if this is in the wrong topic...I have setup my own little studio...i have heard from friends that i should purchase a mic preamp for better sound quality...i have no idea what preamp to buy will someone please give suggestions, i am using a samson c03 condensor mic and have it hooked up to my pc...thank ya

 

[Innovations]

If you have the mic hooked to the mic-in plug of the computer you are using the built-in preamp on the souncard, which for various reasons are really crappy. Instead you want to go into the LINE-IN of the soundcard. But that means that you need an external preamp to bring the mic signal to 'line level'.

So yes, your friends are most likely giving you good advice. Search around here and you will likely find more. Some of the more well-reviewed beginner preamps are the Audiobuddy and the DMP3.

 

[crazydoc]

How do you have it hooked up to your PC? What are you using for phantom power?

I agree that the audiobuddy and DMP3 are good options for a preamp, especially since the audiobuddy is a little shy on phantom voltage, and the CO3 is rated from 36 to 54 volts.

 

[PCFour]

I am using a rolls phantom power...i have an output from the phantom power into "mic in" on the sound card

 

[Markd102]

What soundcard and software are you using?
If it's a normal "run-of-the-mill" card like a soundblaster (even the expensive ones) then it is NOT suitable for recording.
If this is the case, then I would suggest going for a preamp with a firewire or USB output, therefore bypassing your soundcard altogether.

Check out these units from M-Audio
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.list&ID=mobileinterfaces

 

[PCFour]

I am using a soundmax sound card, it came with my computer...i am using cool edit pro 2.0...innovations says that i should use an external preamp and plug it into the "line in jack" and markd says i should use a firewire or usb preamp, which one would give off better sound quality?