Why do I need a Pre-Amp?

[bogart24]

Ok this may sound stupid, but why do i need a pre-amp? I use a Peavy 800 Stereo mixer (1970's model) and run it into pro-tools free. Where would I put the pre-amp in my chain of sound? What would it do for me? Things sound ok now. Especially for the money I put into it ($50 mixer, free computer, free program, $50 shure sm58). Any knowledge I am missing here?

 

[Track Rat]

You already have a preamp. It's in the Peavey.

 

[metalhead28]

A pre-amp is what you plug your mic into. The mixer has pre-amps built in so you may not necessarily "need" one, but most decent stand alone pre amps will sound better than onboard pres in a budget mixer.

Mic > Pre-Amp > Soundcard/Interface > Computer/recorder

 

[bogart24]

Ahhhhh i see. So i wanted I could route the mic to a newer, crisper, pre-amp somehow. Not that i will do that. This mixer sounds amazing. It has beautiful built in reverb too. When i bought it the guy was like, "we have had that forever. No one wants it because it is so huge." I guess the thinking was why buy this huge mixer when i can get something new and small. Oh well. I love the thing. it is a beast.

 

[Dr Biscuits]

Ya, if you're happy with the sound you're getting, that's great! Just for future reference, a preamp is required because a mic's output is very low, and needs to be amplified before it can be run through line-level gear. Often mixers will have them built in (as yours does) but eventually people tend to add outboard ones to 'upgrade' their sound, and get different sound colourations that work well with different mics, styles, etc. People can get very picky and specific about what pre's they use in the higher end stuff - but one thing you'll probly want to avoid right now is buying any external stuff untill you can afford the really good ones; cheap pre's (like those $80 jobs) are most likely not going to give you any advantage especially if you already like what you have, so save your $