Mic preamps

Author
silvercn
Max Output Level: -66 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 1238
  • Joined: 2007/12/04 12:14:24
  • Location: Midland, Texas
  • Status: offline
2017/12/07 04:47:29 (permalink)

Mic preamps

Hi. Until I watched a video today on using a mic preamp before an interface, did not quite realize how much better it sounds, including reduction of room noise. This featured the DBX286s. Other suggestions out there at about same price range !!
 
 
#1

11 Replies Related Threads

    olemon
    Max Output Level: -75 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 768
    • Joined: 2011/10/27 05:35:19
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mic preamps 2017/12/07 10:37:01 (permalink)
     There are many in the 'Under $500' price category and from what I'm told nearly all of those are made by one or two factories overseas.  Check out this company's modified gear http://www.reviveaudio.com.
     
    Also search this Forum.  Mic preamps are/were discussed often.

    https://www.reverbnation.com/scottholson
     
    Platinum, Studio One 3 Pro, Win 10 (x64), AMD FX-8350, ASUS M5A97 R2.0, 16GB, RME UCX, Digimax DP88, Faderport 8, Revive Audio Mod Studio Channel, Vintage Audio M72, Summit Audio TLA-50, KRK Rokit 5 G2 Monitors, Guitars
     
    "If you wait till the last minute, it only takes a minute."
    #2
    fireberd
    Max Output Level: -38 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 3704
    • Joined: 2008/02/25 14:14:28
    • Location: Inverness, FL
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mic preamps 2017/12/07 11:32:29 (permalink)
    It really depends on the mic and your interface unit.  A low level mic and an interface unit that is noisy when the amplification level is high will benefit from a (good quality) mic preamp.  But if the interface is "quiet" (is low noise) then a mic preamp may not do anything.   I have a Focusrite ISA One preamp and with my MOTU it's not really needed except with my Ribbon mic.  But I even negated having to use the ISA One with the Ribbon as I bought a "Cloudlifter" in line preamp to use with the Ribbon.
     
     

    "GCSG Productions"
    Franklin D-10 Pedal Steel Guitar (primary instrument). Nashville Telecaster, Bass, etc. 
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero M/B, i7 6700K CPU, 16GB Ram, SSD and conventional hard drives, Win 10 Pro and Win 10 Pro Insider Pre-Release
    Sonar Platinum/CbB. MOTU 896MK3 Hybrid, Tranzport, X-Touch, JBL LSR308 Monitors,  
    Ozone 5,  Studio One 4.1
    ISRC Registered
    Member of Nashville based R.O.P.E. Assn.
    #3
    AT
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 10654
    • Joined: 2004/01/09 10:42:46
    • Location: TeXaS
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mic preamps 2017/12/07 15:09:29 (permalink)
    I don't know much about the DBX unit or how much it costs but a nice external pre is good to have.  At the bottom rung it is hard to go wrong w/ the Focusrite ISA One as above, or for a thicker sound the Warm Audio.  Both go around $400 and, generally, give you more gain than built-in pres.  Both use transformers,  which adds a nice touch to the sound.  The ISA uses a Lundahl, which is a tad lighter and more modern.  The Warm is api-ish for a more "vintage" tone.  The  ISA has a lot of bells and whistles and is great for live singer songwriter, with a pre and DI in one unit (if only using the DI it gets the transformer), headphone output, etc. etc.
     
    The warm DI is excellent on bass, esp. sent through to an 1176 style comp.
    #4
    batsbrew
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 10037
    • Joined: 2007/06/07 16:02:32
    • Location: SL,UT
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mic preamps 2017/12/07 15:10:02 (permalink)

    Bats Brew music Streaming
    Bats Brew albums:
    "Trouble"
    "Stay"
    "The Time is Magic"
    --
    Sonar 6 PE>Bandlab Cakewalk>Studio One 3.5>RME BFP>i7-7700 3.6GHz>MSI B250M>G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB>Samsung 960 EVO m.2ssd>W 10 Pro
     
    #5
    silvercn
    Max Output Level: -66 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1238
    • Joined: 2007/12/04 12:14:24
    • Location: Midland, Texas
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mic preamps 2017/12/07 17:05:56 (permalink)
    What was impressive in the video of the DBX was the processing features. The expander/gate when engaged, made a huge difference in eliminating background/ room sounds, and virtually making the vocal pristine and near noise free at lower levels.
    #6
    batsbrew
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 10037
    • Joined: 2007/06/07 16:02:32
    • Location: SL,UT
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mic preamps 2017/12/07 17:40:21 (permalink)
    but the preamps in that dbx are not that good.
     
    better to focus on nice color, or pristine capture, than processing.
     
    processing = clownphuckery, in low end equipment.
     

    Bats Brew music Streaming
    Bats Brew albums:
    "Trouble"
    "Stay"
    "The Time is Magic"
    --
    Sonar 6 PE>Bandlab Cakewalk>Studio One 3.5>RME BFP>i7-7700 3.6GHz>MSI B250M>G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB>Samsung 960 EVO m.2ssd>W 10 Pro
     
    #7
    Pragi
    Max Output Level: -67 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1173
    • Joined: 2010/09/19 11:46:59
    • Location: Village of the sun
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mic preamps 2017/12/07 18:14:32 (permalink)
     
    if you like to have a coloring preamp,
    I can recommend the Golden Age Pre 73.
    It´s available in different Versions.
    There are 3 Version available, if you can afford,
    look for the one with the carnhill transformers :
    !. https://www.thomann.de/de/golden_age_project_pre_73_mkiii_plus.htm
     
    2. the "normal" Version, sounds also really good, not much difference compared to the plus version above
    https://www.thomann.de/de/golden_age_project_pre_73_mkiii.htm
     
    3. the junior version
    https://www.thomann.de/de/golden_age_project_pre_73_jr.htm?ref=search_prv_8
    #8
    silvercn
    Max Output Level: -66 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1238
    • Joined: 2007/12/04 12:14:24
    • Location: Midland, Texas
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mic preamps 2017/12/07 19:30:43 (permalink)
    Great info here folks  . Thanks. Lots of nuances I'm learning..
    #9
    sven450
    Max Output Level: -72 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 945
    • Joined: 2004/03/16 08:11:49
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mic preamps 2017/12/08 14:00:04 (permalink)
    batsbrew
    Warm Audio WA12
     
    https://www.sweetwater.co...QUaEAQYAiABEgIsYfD_BwE


    This.  I have one and use it as a vocal pre and as a DI for bass, and it is wonderful.

    Sonar Platinum/Bandlab Sonar
    Roland Octa-Capture            
    Win 10 
    i7 6700  16 Gig Ram
    Some songs
    Covers:  https://soundcloud.com/cygnuss/sets/covers
    Originals:
     https://soundcloud.com/cygnuss/sets/originals
    #10
    stratman70
    Max Output Level: -45 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 3044
    • Joined: 2006/09/12 20:34:12
    • Location: Earth
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mic preamps 2017/12/08 16:20:27 (permalink)
    Warm Audio makes great stuff. I have the WA12 mic pre. It is fabulous and under $500.
     
    Also they are a USA company started in a garage in 2011. Great products. Mine is older but I love it
     

     
     
    #11
    silvercn
    Max Output Level: -66 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1238
    • Joined: 2007/12/04 12:14:24
    • Location: Midland, Texas
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mic preamps 2017/12/08 18:29:02 (permalink)
    Until now had not heard of Warm Audio...will check out more. Thanks
    #12
    Jump to:
    © 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1