Question - Pre-Amps

[mtrobbin]

This might be a dumb question, but I'm a newbie. I understand that some microphones require phantom power, but other than that what does a pre-amp do? Do you use them with all mics or just some?

 

[Track Rat]

Pretty much all mics require a preamp. The signal generated by all types of microphones is very weak, some more than others, and requires a preamplifier to get it up to a level that other devices can deal with.

 

[dragonworks]

All preamps do not come with phantom power standard onboard. I just wanted to clear that up.

 

[TexRoadkill]

and all mics need preamps but not all mics need phantom power

 

[mtrobbin]

so the mic plug on a 4-track is a pre-amp? I understand what that is. Is that the same as something like a tube pre-amp?

 

[Track Rat]

Well......kind of. If it's a mic preamplifier, it's doing the same job but in the solid state world. It's taking the raw mic signal and amplifying it up to line level so it can be used by tape recorders, processors, etc.