What mic preamp with an Audio Technica 4040?

[tochiro]

Hi,

I plan on buying the AT4040 to record vocal parts and plug it to my M-Audio Fast Track Pro interface. That interface has a basic preamp but I might be better off with an external preamp... (although I'm not sure here).

What preamp would you recommend below $500?

I've read good reviews of the M-Audio DMP3, the ART stuff, etc.

Thank you for your time.

 

[saads]

I don't think the Fast Track has any 'un pre amped' inputs. Do you plan on running the pre amp into the pre amp of the Fast Track? I'm not sure if that's a great idea. I've never done it, but seems like that would add a bit of noise to the chain. Anyway, I do have the DMP3 and it's a great unit, but if you're willing to spend upto $500 there are other options too. The Golden Age Pre73 is another good one.

 

[tochiro]

As far as I understand it, the Fast Track Pro only has 2 preamped inputs.

 

[Spare Dougal]

The Fast track from looking at the same model in the link you put up as on their website, would appear to have line level inputs. This is probably going to be the same amp as the mic amp, but with the input attenuated and the impedance altered. Not quite the same as having a dedicated line amp, but you should be fine running a mic amp into this (try and make sure you use balanced jacks though. Every little helps).

As for choice of mic amps, I'd have a look at some channel strips, something like the TL Audio Ivory 5050. This means you'll have a bit of compression on the way in to control the dynamics a little... especially if you're doing vocals predominantly (just make sure you don't over do it)