![]() ![]() We should say that it’s not just about the price some excellent budget preamps perform very well. That means you are less likely to run into these issues if you are using a condenser mic, but if you regularly use dynamic microphones, then you should consider your choice of preamp more carefully. It’s something that tends to happen again when you push the gain further. Now, if you put that same microphone through a high-end preamp, the quality won’t degrade even at the highest gain settings.Īs well as downgrading the performance, you can also run into some unwanted noise issues with lesser preamps. Instead of the lush, creamy texture that you’d want from a high-end ribbon microphone, you are left with a flat, uninspiring response. That could be a $5000 microphone, but when you crank the gain control to 80 dB, you will suck the life out of your high-end microphone. Let’s imagine you have a low output ribbon microphone and a cheap preamp. ![]() Gain control isn’t just important as a primary function it also gives you a good idea of the preamp’s quality. However, if you are using low output dynamic microphones, then you may require more gain. On average, a preamp will offer around 60 dB of gain (some provide more), and that’s generally enough for most uses.Ĭondenser microphones have a much higher output level than dynamic microphones therefore, almost any preamp will do. Boosting the signal to the full operating level is its main purpose. Gain control is the most critical aspect of any preamp, after all. Microphone giants Neumann are credited with inventing phantom power. The name phantom power comes from the fact that it’s virtually invisible to dynamic microphones. If you own a unit where phantom power is always engaged, it won’t affect dynamic microphones. It means you can power the microphone by activating phantom power, without the need for any additional power cables. Phantom power (48 V) is common on preamps, interfaces, and mixers and is used to power condenser microphones. Phantom powerĬondenser microphones require an external power source. You’ll find that you lose a lot of the personality and life and get a duller tone altogether. In simple terms, plugging a guitar or bass straight into a line input doesn’t deliver the same result as an instrument input. You might be wondering why that matters, well, that 1 MegaOhm impedance matches the input impedance of the average guitar amplifier. Line inputs don’t have the same high input impedance they are generally around 10 kOhms. Instrument inputs have a very high input impedance, usually around 1 MegaOhm, and no less than 400 kOhms. Generally, a preamp will have at least one instrument input (usually unbalanced), although not always.Īn instrument input is also TRS, making it look like a line input, but they are very different. ![]() That applies to be audio interface preamps and external preamp units. Preamps can have multiple inputs for stereo recording and can also have line inputs (TRS). InputsĪs far as inputs go, a preamp will have a minimum of one microphone input (XLR). Not every preamp offers the same features and functions. Well, we have covered the primary job of a preamp, so let’s take a look at the common features and their functions. Preamps do get more exciting, trust me, but you can see how important they are even in their most basic form. Even electronic instruments require some gain boost of around 10 dB, give or take a little. But, to give you an idea of their importance, microphones require anywhere around a 30-60 dB gain to reach line level.įor other instruments, like guitars or basses, it’s maybe around a 15-30 dB gain. So far, a preamp might not sound like the most exciting bit of gear you can buy. Pro audio gear has a more definitive line level of +4 dBu. The specified strength of line level varies slightly between consumer audio equipment and professional recording gear slightly.įor consumer audio and entry-level recording gear, line level was -10 dBV as standard, although, these days, almost all entry-level gear is designed for +4 dBu. Line level is the audio signal that is standard for transmitting analog sound between equipment/components. A preamp can be a circuit inside a device like an audio interface or a dedicated external unit. ![]() What is a preamp?Īs we mentioned above, a preamp boosts a low-level signal, making it line level. Preamps can be more than just a signal booster, though, so let’s take a closer look. It comes after your microphone/instrument level signal and before your interface or outboard gear. As a newbie, you might be thinking, what is a preamp? Don’t worry we’ve all been there.Ī preamp is a unit that amplifies a low-level signal to line level that’s the primary function. If you speak to anyone about recording, one of the most discussed pieces of equipment will be their preamp. ![]()
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