Preamps?

[Tack25]

Hey there, I have just recently began recording. I know next to nothing. I have a question regarding the microphones preamp. What is it?, Why use it? and what difference would there be by using as opposed to not. My apologies for these simple questions.
Thank you,
Ben

PS: If it makes a difference, I am primarily recording acoustic guitar and vocals.

 

[mikemorgan]

Hey there, I have just recently began recording. I know next to nothing. I have a question regarding the microphones preamp. What is it?, Why use it? and what difference would there be by using as opposed to not. My apologies for these simple questions.
Thank you,
Ben

PS: If it makes a difference, I am primarily recording acoustic guitar and vocals.

A mic pre simply boosts the signal present at its input to an acceptable level for recording or feeding power amps. Think of it as 1/2 watt amp, although that is certainly not correct, but this little amp that you put between your microphone and recording device will add color in some way to the sound and boost it's signal/noise ratio providing stronger signal and less noise background noise.