preamp question

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djm

New member
ok...i'm new to just about everything here...so...bear w/ me.
is a mic preamp simply used to boost the signal of the mic?
i know that a dynamic mic doesn't need a power source and a condenser needs power. so...would u even need to use a preamp with a dynamic mic?
if i use a preamp w/ a dynamic mic is that to just get a lil' more or...louder signal from the mic?
seems like a silly question, but i haven't ever used a preamp. i've always just pugged an sm 57 into the board and went with it.
thanks for any help
-dj
 
Well, if you're plugging a 57 into a board then you're using a mic preamp. A mixer that has mic inputs has mic preamps. Damn near all microphones with very few exceptions require a preamp to get its signal up to line level.
 
Yes, a preamp does what the name says. It amplifies the signal before going into a console or recorder. The signal itself coming from the mic is very weak. A preamp amplifies it to a level normal for working with the signal. Offcourse you understand now why the quality of a preamp is very important.

All mics need preamps. Dynamic and Condenser.
 
In my studio I can choose between 3 sorts of preamps, just because these things are so important I have plenty.

40x from the console (Soundtracs)
24x costumbuild (also used for recording on location)
8x tube preamp.
 
I'm with Downside. I have 16 pre's out of my StudioMaster, 16 out of a MAckie 1604VLZ and 8 assorted tube mic pre's (HHB, DBX, Envoice, etc).
 
hehehe

I have more....even forgot the 20 from the 02R.

That makes a total of 40+24+8+20=92 !

Damn, no wonder I'm always broke.
 
Another newbie question about pre's

Can I ask an additional question to this thread?

If you mixer has 2 xlr inputs and the preamps sound ok, but your other inputs are 1/4 inch unbalanced, would it make sense to get an outboard preamp that plugs into the unbalanced inputs. Im slowly converting from a live rig into a home recording setup for demo's and misc projects. I have a Yamaha 12X4X2 mixer and the preamps sound a little harsh, and treblish plus there is some noise between 12 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions, would a outb preamp help by not using the mic/line input gain adjustment?

Thanks,
SoMM
 
SoMM- Additional preamps would help in your case. If you need a lot of them you might be better off selling your mixer and getting a bigger one. Mixers are usually the cheapest way to get 4 or more preamps. The Soundcraft M series are pretty cheap mixers that are known for better than average Preamps and EQ. You could even get their 4 channel just for a few more pre's.
 
Thanks for the great advice Tex,

Id get another a bigger mixer but its integrated with the recorder. Maybe another 12 channel would be an idea, I don't know if it works or not but could I take a 12 channel and have all the line outs feed it or would that incorporate more noise? But the little 4 channel one looks like a great deal as an interim to my current situation. Thanks Tex :D


SoMm
 
I don't know if it works or not but could I take a 12 channel and have all the line outs feed it or would that incorporate more noise?
Click to expand...

That's the way it works. You use the inserts to send individual tracks to the recorder. This way your signal only goes thru the preamp circuit and then straight into the recorder.

For mixing and monitoring you send each track to a channel on the mixer and send the main outs to your mastering deck. There will usually be less noise than using the onboard mixer of a portastudio type recorder.
 
:D :D :D :D :D :D


Thats really cool. Another idea that your post spawned was taking the noisy minidisk machine, remote locating it and using a PC to control it with midi (MMC), I was already trying to think of a way to remote locate the PC case anyhow, so that the mouse, keyboard and monitor were the only PC system things within reach. If I do it the awy you recommend then upgrading to a better recorder would be simpler.

Thanks Again :p

This place is dangerous, :eek: so much knowledge so little money! :mad: LOL

Thanks,
SoMm
 
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