Preamps?

[johnthefilmer]

I've had plenty of trouble with guitars constantly sounding weak, so I looked around online and it looks like I need a preamp. Unfortunately other than "it makes stuff sound better," I have no idea what a preamp is, what a preamp does, or where to get a preamp. I record into my Apple G5 and onto analog tape with an Akai GX-280D-SS. Can I use the same preamp for both? What's a good preamp (preferrably at a good price)? Thanks.

 

[scrubs]

1) A preamp is essentially a volume knob that boosts the signal strength from mic/instrument level to line level. Based on their design features, certain pres will alter the character of the signal, hopefully in a pleasing manner.

2) Yes, you can use preamps for both analog and digital recording tasks.

3) Preamps range in price about as much as any piece of audio gear (from $10 a channel [in a cheap mixer] to >$4000 a channel [for boutique audiophile pres]). Your specific needs and budget will be the largest factors to consider.

So.....

What is your budget? How much are you willing to spend on volume?

How many channels do you need to record simultaneously? If you record drums, or otherwise need lots of channels, then a mixer with built in preamps would be a reasonable choice. If you just need a couple of channels, individual pres are a decent option.

What type/style of music? You mention guitars, but are they acoustic or electric? What other instruments? What mics are you using? Do you do vocals, or just instruments? etc.

Use the search function at the top and you will find a wealth of info.

 

[johnthefilmer]

1) A preamp is essentially a volume knob that boosts the signal strength from mic/instrument level to line level. Based on their design features, certain pres will alter the character of the signal, hopefully in a pleasing manner.

2) Yes, you can use preamps for both analog and digital recording tasks.

3) Preamps range in price about as much as any piece of audio gear (from $10 a channel [in a cheap mixer] to >$4000 a channel [for boutique audiophile pres]). Your specific needs and budget will be the largest factors to consider.

So.....

What is your budget? How much are you willing to spend on volume?

How many channels do you need to record simultaneously? If you record drums, or otherwise need lots of channels, then a mixer with built in preamps would be a reasonable choice. If you just need a couple of channels, individual pres are a decent option.

What type/style of music? You mention guitars, but are they acoustic or electric? What other instruments? What mics are you using? Do you do vocals, or just instruments? etc.

Use the search function at the top and you will find a wealth of info.

1. I would like to keep it around or under a few hundred dollars.

2. I can't imagine myself recording more than 8 channels at a time. Then again, more channels to play with couldn't hurt if they aren't terribly more expensive.

3. Rock music. Electric guitars, electric bass guitars, acoustic drums, and voices. I only have a Shure PG56, Sennheiser e835, and some Radio Shack unidirectionals, but I'm looking to gradually build my collection. What kinds/brands/models should I keep an eye out for to record heavy electric guitars, deep punchy bass, and clear thick drums?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[scrubs]

1. I would like to keep it around or under a few hundred dollars.

2. I can't imagine myself recording more than 8 channels at a time. Then again, more channels to play with couldn't hurt if they aren't terribly more expensive.

For 8 channels under "a few hundred dollars," you're probably looking at a small mixer, or a mixer + a couple of outboard pres (to add some flavors).

The Yamaha MG and Soundcraft Spirit mixers are reputed to have decent pres for not much money. An alternative, specifically for computer-based recording, would be something like the Presonus Firepod, which has 8-pres in a FireWire interface.

For stand-alone pres that aren't a whole lot of money, you may want to look into the following:

1-channel:
Studio Projects VTB-1
Rane MS-1B
Groove Tubes Brick

2-channel:
M-Audio DMP3
FMR Audio RNP

Channel Strip (usu include compression/eq + pre):
Joe Meek ThreeQ
M-Audio Tampa

3. Rock music. Electric guitars, electric bass guitars, acoustic drums, and voices. I only have a Shure PG56, Sennheiser e835, and some Radio Shack unidirectionals, but I'm looking to gradually build my collection. What kinds/brands/models should I keep an eye out for to record heavy electric guitars, deep punchy bass, and clear thick drums?

You'll want more mics, especially if you will be recording drums and vocals. I would suggest adding at least one or two nice Large Diaphragm Condenser mics for vocals, a pair of Small Diaphragm Condensers for drum overheads and acoustic guitar duties, and several more dynamic mics for drums and electric guitar recording.

Some decent choices:

Dynamic mics:
Shure SM57 - a workhorse mic for snare drum, guitar cabs, etc. not always the best mic for the job, but will usually get the job done.
Sennheiser e609s - another good choice for guitar cabs, etc. that isn't much more than a 57, pricewise.
Sennheiser MD421 - probably better for guitars, toms, etc. than the 57, but more $
AKG D112, Shure Beta 52, ATM25 - these are pretty standard for kick drum
Shure SM7, EV RE20 - these are great all-around mics for vocals, guitar cabs, drums, etc. A little more $, but a nice investment.

Small Diaphragm Condensers:
On a budget, the Studio Projects C4, MXL 603s, Oktava MC012 are all decent choices for most acoustic instrument duties and drum overheads.

Large Diaphragm Condensers:
Audio Technica, MXL, Studio Projects, Rode, and others all make decent LDCs for vocal (& other) duties that won't kill your wallet. Use the search function for "vocal condenser" and you will find more recommendations than you would ever need.

Good luck.

 

[johnthefilmer]

For 8 channels under "a few hundred dollars," you're probably looking at a small mixer, or a mixer + a couple of outboard pres (to add some flavors).

The Yamaha MG and Soundcraft Spirit mixers are reputed to have decent pres for not much money. An alternative, specifically for computer-based recording, would be something like the Presonus Firepod, which has 8-pres in a FireWire interface.

For stand-alone pres that aren't a whole lot of money, you may want to look into the following:

1-channel:
Studio Projects VTB-1
Rane MS-1B
Groove Tubes Brick

2-channel:
M-Audio DMP3
FMR Audio RNP

Channel Strip (usu include compression/eq + pre):
Joe Meek ThreeQ
M-Audio Tampa



You'll want more mics, especially if you will be recording drums and vocals. I would suggest adding at least one or two nice Large Diaphragm Condenser mics for vocals, a pair of Small Diaphragm Condensers for drum overheads and acoustic guitar duties, and several more dynamic mics for drums and electric guitar recording.

Some decent choices:

Dynamic mics:
Shure SM57 - a workhorse mic for snare drum, guitar cabs, etc. not always the best mic for the job, but will usually get the job done.
Sennheiser e609s - another good choice for guitar cabs, etc. that isn't much more than a 57, pricewise.
Sennheiser MD421 - probably better for guitars, toms, etc. than the 57, but more $
AKG D112, Shure Beta 52, ATM25 - these are pretty standard for kick drum
Shure SM7, EV RE20 - these are great all-around mics for vocals, guitar cabs, drums, etc. A little more $, but a nice investment.

Small Diaphragm Condensers:
On a budget, the Studio Projects C4, MXL 603s, Oktava MC012 are all decent choices for most acoustic instrument duties and drum overheads.

Large Diaphragm Condensers:
Audio Technica, MXL, Studio Projects, Rode, and others all make decent LDCs for vocal (& other) duties that won't kill your wallet. Use the search function for "vocal condenser" and you will find more recommendations than you would ever need.

Good luck.

What do you think of the Behringer SL2442FX-PRO mixer? I saw that at the store yesterday and I would be willing to pay $450 if it will give me good preamps and serve as a good mixer (studio and live). Thanks a ton for all that mic info!

 

[AlexW]

Most people don't think much of the Behringer mixers. I picked up a Soundcraft Spirit M12 off of ebay for around $500 that works well for live and studio use.

 

[johnthefilmer]

Most people don't think much of the Behringer mixers. I picked up a Soundcraft Spirit M12 off of ebay for around $500 that works well for live and studio use.

Does the Soundcraft have the preamps I need?

 

[AlexW]

Yep, the M12 has 12 channels/preamps. They also make an 8-channel verstion (M8) and maybe a 6 or 10 channel version; can't remember off the top of my head. In any case, the pre's are pretty decent and each channel has phantom power, direct outs, and channel inserts; as well as mic and line level inputs.

 

[scrubs]

Does the Soundcraft have the preamps I need?

I think most people would rate the Soundcraft pres more favorably than Behringer pres. I have not heard either, so I cannot be certain (I have an older behri mixer which has terrible pres, but I guess they have changed the technology some). If it was me, I'd lean toward the Soundcraft, though.

 

[wesley tanner]

I have a behringer, i'm thinking of going to a soundcraft m8... the berries are disgusting in my opinion. I have a presonus mp20, a great set of 2 pres that are clean and add a clarity that is unreal compared to the behr.