PREAMPs and PC's

  • Thread starter Thread starter CoolCat
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CoolCat

CoolCat

Well-known member
So I've read a bit.
Whats the deal on the pre-amps with this pc type setup?

Does the soundcard have a pre-amp, or is it a preamp?
Is the USB, say Tascam 122- M-Aduio mobile a pre-amp or just a D/A?

Are all these soundcards just D/A converters and no pre-amp?

another angle to the question:
I have a Joe Meek PreAmp, i really like,
how would this work-in the chain, without
having the JM pre-amp feeding another pre-amp?

anything to look out for? overdriving soundcards?
do DMP3, JM outboard Pre-amps integrate well or are the PC dedicated equipment better matched?

my soundcard is old, but numerous good articles on it, Turtle Beach chips, Aureal 8830 now OOBusiness....if that helps. it was good, several years ago anyway...like 16/44.1.
 
Many standard soundcards have preamps, albeit poor preamps. Most usb interfaces come with built in preamps but usually have the option of using a straight line in. There are also plenty interfaces, usually pci but also some firewire, which are strictly line level interfaces. Which means yes, you can absolutely use your Joe Meek with these. And, by all means consider this your best route as a stand alone preamp of any reasonable quality will usually be considerably better than the built in preamps on any given unit.

On the lower end consider M-audio Delta 44, 66 and 1010. Then there are Hammerfall, Terratec, Echo, an Motu. Most of these have interfaces which are strictly line level inputs.

The turtle beach cards never really took off. I know in the early years they promoted "Orchestrator" as their software daw and may have had some relationship with MOTU and Digital Performer. Don't quote me on that.

16 bit 44.1kHz is standard cd bit/samplerate. Many cards now opt for 24-32 bit and up to 192kHz samplerate. There is questionable benefits for the average home user. Most home users couldn't tell the difference to be honest. That's not a crit. It's just the truth.
 
so if i read you correctly, PCI Line Level is my best path to use with the JoeM pre?
Thanks.

I'll try the JOEMEEK with the "line in" on my soundcard and see if there's a big difference.

cables...seems I have a suitcase full of cables and never the ones I need?
 
hueseph said:
The turtle beach cards never really took off. I know in the early years they promoted "Orchestrator" as their software daw and may have had some relationship with MOTU and Digital Performer. Don't quote me on that.
Click to expand...

Turtle Beach makes good soundcards, better than SB IMHO, but they're still consumer level. I use a Santa Cruzx for gaming, etc.
 
what the hell, maybe a new card with 1/4" sockets.
save$$ on new cables for the JMeek preamp hookup? trade some old pieces on "new" card.

This "new" card should be hi-tech for at least 6 months, right? :p

or chill...and read some of my 1986 PRO RECORDING magazines or 1994 MIX mags...that always makes my gear seem way more leading edge.
:D
 
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