ollie99
New member
Im confused
I see the word preamp come up often but Im not exactly sure what it is?
I see the word preamp come up often but Im not exactly sure what it is?
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
It is used to provide gain for signals coming from a mic....though many preamps also provide DI (Direct Input/Injection) connections for plugging in guitars/synths/instruments.
It's all about signal levels...and mics on their own don't have enough. Instruments have much stronger signals, but still not at "Line Level", which is where you kinda want everything to end up, and that's where the preamps/DIs com into play.
Apart from that, different preamps are also chosen for the "color" they add or not to a signal.
It's all about signal levels...and mics on their own don't have enough. Instruments have much stronger signals, but still not at "Line Level", which is where you kinda want everything to end up, and that's where the preamps/DIs com into play.
Apart from that, different preamps are also chosen for the "color" they add or not to a signal.
Last edited:
Steenamaroo
...
In simple terms, they are amplifiers that bring a range of devices up to a level playing field.
Any preamps that I have seen (if not integrated into an interface) have a line level output.
Preamps can be designed to accept microphone level input, direct/instrument level input, phono input etc.
These are all different levels because the physical devices (mic capsule/guitar pickup/phono cartridge) all put out different levels of signal.
Any preamps that I have seen (if not integrated into an interface) have a line level output.
Preamps can be designed to accept microphone level input, direct/instrument level input, phono input etc.
These are all different levels because the physical devices (mic capsule/guitar pickup/phono cartridge) all put out different levels of signal.
kip4
Well-known member
Well put paul
The op (original poster) should also check out the stickys i suggest.
The op (original poster) should also check out the stickys i suggest.
arcadeko
Illuminatius Overlordious
pre-
a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “before” ( preclude; prevent ); applied freely as a prefix, with the meanings “prior to,” “in advance of,” “early,” “beforehand,” “before,” “in front of,” and with other figurative meanings...
amp
noun
1.
amplifier ( def. 2 ) .
an electronic component or circuit for amplifying power, current, or voltage.
lol - not trying to be an ass, that just comes naturally...
But seriously, it's the most accurate answer.
it's an amp that comes before anything else, like another amp or a mixing board.
The gain channel of a guitar amp (or a mixing board) is a preamp.
a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, where it meant “before” ( preclude; prevent ); applied freely as a prefix, with the meanings “prior to,” “in advance of,” “early,” “beforehand,” “before,” “in front of,” and with other figurative meanings...
amp
noun
1.
amplifier ( def. 2 ) .
an electronic component or circuit for amplifying power, current, or voltage.
lol - not trying to be an ass, that just comes naturally...
But seriously, it's the most accurate answer.
it's an amp that comes before anything else, like another amp or a mixing board.
The gain channel of a guitar amp (or a mixing board) is a preamp.
Bobbsy
Boring Old Git
To try to put another spin on it...
"Line level" is an arbitrary level that's been chosen for electronic gear like mixers to operate at. For now you don't need to worry about what voltage that is--but it's a nice strong signal that can travel down long cables (sometimes miles) or exist in a noisy environment surrounded by other electronics.
Microphones, on the other hand, have to translate the tiny movements of air that represent sound into electricity. Because the vibrations the make up sounds are so small, the amount of electricity involved is also small--way lower than line level. Expressed in the dreaded decibels, the output of a microphone tends to be around 50dB less than nominal line level.
A microphone pre amp is a device that takes these very low signals and brings them up to line level, hopefully without adding too much extra noise. You can get them as stand alone units--but they can also exist as part of another device: most audio interfaces have at least a few mic pre amps that you can plug you mic directly into. So do mixers--most have a certain number of mic inputs with built in pre amps.
Usually, when you see "pre amp" mentioned on this forum it's a microphone pre amp being talked about--but, as has been mentioned, you can other sorts of pre amp as well--a phono pre amp, for example, does the same job for the output of a turntable and usually adds a specific form of equalisation (known as the RIAA curve) to the signal too.
Hope this helps.
"Line level" is an arbitrary level that's been chosen for electronic gear like mixers to operate at. For now you don't need to worry about what voltage that is--but it's a nice strong signal that can travel down long cables (sometimes miles) or exist in a noisy environment surrounded by other electronics.
Microphones, on the other hand, have to translate the tiny movements of air that represent sound into electricity. Because the vibrations the make up sounds are so small, the amount of electricity involved is also small--way lower than line level. Expressed in the dreaded decibels, the output of a microphone tends to be around 50dB less than nominal line level.
A microphone pre amp is a device that takes these very low signals and brings them up to line level, hopefully without adding too much extra noise. You can get them as stand alone units--but they can also exist as part of another device: most audio interfaces have at least a few mic pre amps that you can plug you mic directly into. So do mixers--most have a certain number of mic inputs with built in pre amps.
Usually, when you see "pre amp" mentioned on this forum it's a microphone pre amp being talked about--but, as has been mentioned, you can other sorts of pre amp as well--a phono pre amp, for example, does the same job for the output of a turntable and usually adds a specific form of equalisation (known as the RIAA curve) to the signal too.
Hope this helps.
R
RAMI
Guest
Who the hell is Paul?
guitaristic
prophet of Dave
Steenamaroo!
R
RAMI
Guest
His signature says Pete. My brain hurts.
grimtraveller
If only for a moment.....
There's a movement afoot that believes he's a Paul. But Pete himself is an unbeliever ! 
R
RAMI
Guest
Fools. Don't they know that Paul is dead? Aand Dave is losing popularity with the younger generation.
"Pete is bigger than Dave now!"
"Pete is bigger than Dave now!"
Last edited:
guitaristic
prophet of Dave
Haha I know, but I think Steen is who Kip was trying to refer to!
...unless Kip is having visions that go unnoticed by us mere mortals!!
Steenamaroo
...
Pete and Paul are both covers. I'm actually Dave.
guitaristic
prophet of Dave
Steenamaroo
...
aww come on, All I said was "That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehova!".
R
RAMI
Guest
...and then Pete said "This is my body....how do you like it?".
Bobbsy
Boring Old Git
If we could find a Mary we'd have a 1960s folk group....
Steenamaroo
...
A wall might be easier to find. Still got the makings of something good!
kip4
Well-known member
Who is Dave?
I hope Greg L doesnt swing by.
The reason i called him Paul is because that what his email said. Are there two steens?
I hope Greg L doesnt swing by.
The reason i called him Paul is because that what his email said. Are there two steens?
kip4
Well-known member
I see were all python fans by the looks of things. "Don't call him big nose"