Hello all.  I was just wondering how important it is to route my incoming signal into X2 through an external preamp if I have (from what I hear/read) a fantastic console emulator within X2 itself??
TRUST ME...I completely understand that sending audio through "physical" electronics and transistors, etc. imparts a special character that cannot be emulated through software.  Plus, I am not referring to any specific or expensive preamp either.  Just an average, well made preamp like a Focusrite Saffire or a Blue Robbie, etc.
 
Thanks 

The preamp is the very first thing that follows your mic, obviously, so you'll want the best thing you can afford here next to the cost of the mic itself. At least, you want the best quality you can afford here. Your normal sound card isn't going to give you a gain knob to pre-amplify your mic, and obviously doesn't supply 48v if you need a condenser mic, but the hotter your mic signal is going into the sound card, the less computer and digital artifacts (noise) you'll pick up in your mix before you get to X2.
 
I highly recommend an external preamp always.

Ok everyone, hold on, this question has been debated over the internet for years and this thread can get out of control very quickly. To answer the OP, yes a focusrite Saphire is a fine preamp that will indeed deliver quality recordings. Preamps that come with today's recording interfaces (not your typical stock sound card) have improved by leaps and bounds in quality and general latency. Its up to you and your wallet to decide if you need something more expensive or esoteric.

OK, so for guitars, keyboards and bass you recommend an actual external preamp vs. the emulation inside X2?

You have to have some kind of "preamp" to get the signal to a usable level within your daw. Most of today's interfaces come with some kind of built in preamp, but they are typically made to be "clean". You can then use the X2 console emulations to alter the tone slightly. It's a subtle effect, but does add some nice color. By using something like an outboard tube preamp you can color your tone more before it is recorded. Once again this is subjective. You may want a little extra tube warmth or distortion on say a bass track, however I am of the camp that you'll want to get the signal into the DAW as cleanly as possible, then use effects if you want to change the tone. Once again this is all part of the creative process.

The focusrite preempt are ok said above. A external preamp has some advantages starting with gain.  I like my Isa one better than my interface's preempt but I've made good recordings with both.  As far as guitars I prefer recording amps but di'ing works and Sims get there 90% of the time. And are more convenient too.  Only you can decide.

Totally agree to bandso and At.
I lke he neutral character of the preamps of the saffire soundcard.
But it´s a personal decision/taste question, to need a preamp with " character."
I like the Golden Age Pre 73 for this things.
And many engineers claim, that a preamp only has a proportion of most 10 percent 
on the quality of a recorded signal. A mic has much more influence. 
 
Have fun
Pragi 

Completely agree with all of the above.  I run my electric and acoustic guitars through a Radial Pro 48 DI and my bass through an MXR 80 DI +.  I get fantastic results going through these units and into my MOTU Ultralite.  Sparkling clean that isn't thin or brittle.  However, I have two very cheap, ineffective preamps that make everything sound muddy and muffled...even AFTER I upgraded the tubes in them.  So, it simply got me wondering if using them is even needed - OR - Could I just bypass them altogether and simply add some emulation within Sonar to achieve basically the same result?  Obviously, the sensible answer would be to invest in a nicer, more expensive preamp...but right now that isn't an option financially. 

Mojo3432
 So, it simply got me wondering if using them is even needed - OR - Could I just bypass them altogether and simply add some emulation within Sonar to achieve basically the same result?  Obviously, the sensible answer would be to invest in a nicer, more expensive preamp...but right now that isn't an option financially. 

In this case software emulation isn't a viable alternative to a hardware pre-amp.
As was mentioned, you have to get the mic/guitar/etc signal up to a use-able level.
If you did record a mic/guitar without using a pre-amp, the signal level would be super low.
Boosting this low level signal (via software - after recording) would also tremendously boost the noise-floor.
 

As Jim stated, a preamp and the console emulators are two completely different things. Take tone and coloring out of the equation. A preamp is required to bring an instrument-level source up to a suitable level for recording.