Why use a Pre if I already have one in my Interface?

[MarkQuarter]

I have had my home studio for two years. Have made a number of decent analog recordings up to 20 tracks. Just me. All instruments and vocals. Also taken it out and recorded my bands.

I have two MXL 990 mics cause it was cheap and looked / felt like a decent mic. Records the acoustic guitars very nice.

I have been a little unhappy with the sound of the vocals. If I EQ the vocal track by using plug ins (adding bass boost and shimmer the highs, drop the mids a tad) it sounds better to me thru my M-Audio BX8a speakers.

I have a Mackie Onyx system, so it advertises great Mic Pres.

So here is the question: do I need a better external Pre Amp than those in the Onyx to fix my cheap Mic or is it the mic that needs to be "upgraded"? Better plug-in filters?

Sounds like a stupid question and I apologize in advance...if so. Admittedly, as we all do, I have tried to do this on a low budget as it' a hobby.

MarkQuarter

 

[Shadow_7]

It sounds more like you want EQ in the chain. Although functionally all that does is lower your workload in post.

An external pre can address issues though. Impedence mismatch, phantom power undervolt, noise floor, and other things. A different impedence can affect EQ traits of some mics. Full 48V phantom can tend to make some mics behave differently too. But probably not to the degree that you're looking for. And dollar for dollar it might be cheaper to get different mics.

 

[tewfus]

Eventually you would probably want to get some better pre's although i've never used that so i don't know what those pre's sound like.
But i agree with the previous poster that you may want to upgrade your mic before that.

You could get a fairly substantial upgrade for $200-$300

 

[moresound]

Yes with out a doubt go for a better microphone.If you can try to audition some to see what sounds good with your voice for it all starts with the source to the microphone then down the line.......

But you could get a pre that colors your sound too!

Mackie is just that much better than a behringer and most people here will tell you how much they hate them.

 

[toddbel]

I like the AT3035 with the Onyx preamp on my voice. I darken the sound of the reverb of the master track in Garageband and this helps- otherwise it can be a bit bright. When I record harmony parts I use a sd condenser.

 

[ido1957]

A mic upgrade will make a difference and in my opinion make a bigger bang at a lower cost.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Normally the interfaces wont have very good onboard pres...some have terrific ones...you just have to get the right interface...I think its better if you go with an 8 input interface without pres and go for nicer outboard ones.