Stereo Preamp
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Home Recording Guitar – Why you need a microphone preamp
The signal that a microphone picks up is actually very low, and needs be enhanced so that it can be used with your recording device. This is exactly what a mic preamp does, but reinforces the signal to a level that is usable for recording.
At first, you probably want to use the pre-amplifiers built into your mixer or interface, if you happen to have any, since it will save money. However, this type of pre-amplifiers are often of rather low quality. Basically, with mic preamps, you pay for quality sound. Musicians after the most favorable sound quality could spend $ 3000 on a preamp. However, if you are just starting and has perhaps a budget of $ 1000 can use the preamps on your mixer or audio interface.
It's not just the budget that affects the quality of output of the preamplifier, should also know how to set the levels correctly etc. Let's talk a bit about the features found on most mic preamps, and some tips to ensure you get optimal sound.
Input – Set the input to provide the highest possible meters, not crossing red. Have the red levels reaching is the introduction of the distortion, which will go through the complete signal path. This means that when you listen back to your record in the team, it's likely to hear a lot of crackling noises. So again, press the signal as high as possible, but do not let it in numbers cells.
Pad - This is a great feature if you are recording sounds, other than the guitar. For example, if you went to a microphone as a source of loud snare drum, even with the input turned all the way down the levels may still be hitting red. Select this function and will help you master the sound even more and make it usable.
Phantom Power – This is a source of energy that is sent through a microphone cable to a microphone you need, as a condenser microphone. It is good to note that some fairly cheap preamps only offer 30 v, and some condenser microphones can not perform their best at this level. It is good to have phantom power built in microphone preamp otherwise would have to obtain another source of phantom power.
Quantity Preamps - This can range from a previous single right through eight preamps in one box. What is the overall record, will determine how many you need. The vocals are usually recorded in mono, while acoustic guitars could be recorded in stereo. Maybe you are recording a whole band and require one for each amplifier and vocalist, along with several of the drums.
A pass filter – In general, this means that all the high pass through while the minimum cut. Microphones pick up an amazing amount Bass so this is a great feature to have. Of course, this can be corrected using the software, but you can also solve the problem at source so you do not have to worry about it later.
Hopefully this has given him an idea of what a mic preamp does, and what features to look for when shopping for. Have a read through the cartoons again and compare their list of needs with the features available in a variety of pre-amplifiers. Hopefully you will be able to find a product that suits your needs.
About the Author
Richard Marples has over 10 years experience of playing and recording guitar, and also hosts a website exaplaining how you can record at home. If you enjoyed this article on Home Recording then you can get more free tips at =>
www.uncleslinky.co.uk
UX 201-A STEREO pre amp
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