Preamp vs. Phantom Power Supply

[ianda]

Yet another question. (Will they never end?)

I'm looking to outfit my recording setup with up to eight mics at one time. They'll record anything from vocals to solo violin.

I'm debating buying a Rolls 6 channel phantom power supply ($119.95). However, every post I see talks about how preamps are superior to phantom power supplies.

What exactly does a preamp do that a phantom power supply doesn't? Does it allow you to "shape" the sound before it gets to the mixer? Does it supply a more constant supply of power?

Along those lines, why are the 6 and 8 channel preamps so expensive ($2000-$2500 list)?

Thanks for your help.

-ianda

 

[regebro]

A preamp will amplify the signal. A phantom power supply will only power the microphone. Unless you have good preamps that doesn't have phantom power, you have no use of the phantom power supply.

All good preamps I have ever seen has built in phantom power. Actually, the only preamps I have ever seen that does not have phantom power are the preamps in my Yamaha 4-track porta, and in my extremely cheap BOSS mixer.

 

[ianda]

So ... ?

So right now I've got a Roland VM-3100, and I'm looking to upgrade to a Roland VS-1824CD. Each has (at least) two channels with phantom power.

Do I really need a preamp to amplify the signal of the other channels, or will a phantom power supply do the trick?

-ianda

 

[TexRoadkill]

Re: So ... ?

So right now I've got a Roland VM-3100, and I'm looking to upgrade to a Roland VS-1824CD. Each has (at least) two channels with phantom power.

Do I really need a preamp to amplify the signal of the other channels, or will a phantom power supply do the trick?

-ianda

YOU CANNOT RECORD A MIC SIGNAL WITHOUT A PREAMP

The Roland VM3100 only has 2 mic preamps and can only record 2 mic signals. The extra phantom power will not help if you dont have mic preamps.

Not all mics need phantom power but ALL MICS NEED PREAMPS.

 

[ianda]

So let me get this straight...

I'm just going to run through some scenarious. Feel free to correct me if/when I'm wrong.

1) I'm recording a five-piece band, and I'm only using five microphones. I'll be able to run two straight through the mixer (or recorder), but I'll need three mic preamps that supply phantom power to the other three (assuming they need phantom power).

2) I'm recording a duet over a CD track. I'll be able to run both mics through the mixer (or recorder) and run the CD through the AUX in ... no preamps necessary.

3) I'm recording a jazz combo ... and I decide to get out of recording because I can't figure out when I need a preamp and when I don't. *grin*

Thanks for the info. From what I gather, I need to make sure I've got a preamp for every microphone that isn't XLRed directly into the mixer/recorder. Right?

-ianda

 

[gec]

Tex clearly answered your question.....every mic needs a preamp.................you can get away with it if you'd like without one but if quality is what your looking for don't make trade off's

 

[regebro]

Re: Re: So ... ?

YOU CANNOT RECORD A MIC SIGNAL WITHOUT A PREAMP

The Roland VM3100 only has 2 mic preamps and can only record 2 mic signals.

Bzzzt. Wrong, but thank you for playing.
As most budget home reccing gear today, it doesn't have phantom power on all channels. However, all channels have preamps and are capable of the same input range.

So yes, with a 6 channel external phantom power supply, it would be possible to record 8 channels of condenser mics on these machines if that would be needed.

Now, I can't tell you if these preamps are any good. You might want to use external preamps anyway. But you don't *have* to.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Re: Re: Re: So ... ?

Bzzzt. Wrong, but thank you for playing.
As most budget home reccing gear today, it doesn't have phantom power on all channels. However, all channels have preamps and are capable of the same input range.

So yes, with a 6 channel external phantom power supply, it would be possible to record 8 channels of condenser mics on these machines if that would be needed.

Now, I can't tell you if these preamps are any good. You might want to use external preamps anyway. But you don't *have* to.

I have the VM3100 and the extra pres are unbalanced and not very usable for clear acoustic stuff. The balanced pres barely do the job well.

But you are correct, with adapters and phantom they could be made to work in a pinch. But I wouldnt spend money to plan on using them that way.

 

[darrin_h2000]

The mixer has trim controls and technically the unballanced inputs all have preamps. but as with most digital mixers they are crappy.So the power supply you speak of will work but the results will suck ass.

 

[regebro]

Re: Re: Re: Re: So ... ?

I have the VM3100 and the extra pres are unbalanced and not very usable for clear acoustic stuff. The balanced pres barely do the job well.

Yeah, I suspected that, I have heard bad things about the Roland porta preamps before...

That probably means that they are a bit better than the preamps on my Boss mixer, and my experience with of preams is so abysmal that I don't even know if they suck or are OK.