Microphones are the tools we use to capture recorded sound - they do a good job, but due to the nature of their design, they don't output a very high signal. The output signal of an electric guitar is much higher, for example.

So this is where a mic preamp fits into the chain. A mic pre's most basic function is to raise microphone's output signal to a level that is compatible with consoles and recorders. You connect the mic to the preamp, and the preamp output to the mixer or recorder's inputs. Easy, right? Well, sort of... but like many concepts in the audio world, there's far more to them than that!

For one thing, you may have noticed that are there many different preamps available out there, and also that some are $100, while others $4500..... so what's the difference? Well... the one glaring difference is that a high-quality pre (generally $1000 and up for a single channel) will bring out the best in even a modest mic. For example, the ubiquitous SM57 or 58 sounds pretty mediocre when used with a low-end preamp, but pair it up with something like a Great River ME-1NV and it shines on a guitar amp!

But I know mot of you aren't recording multiple tracks of instruments, you mostly handle just a voice or two. In this case, while a high-pre would certainly bring out the best in terms of sound quality, it may be overkill for your purposes. There are mid-level pres that are excellent choices for voice-over work. FMR Audio has the RNP, Grace has the 101, there's a new one by Safe Sound Audio, and there's also the Studio Projects VTB-1... all are well under $1000 Cdn and would be suitable for
voice-over tasks. On a tangent, I find that most computer interface
on-board preamps are quite inferior to even the more modest outboard models I've described.

If you want to make your voice shine - make sure you have the tools to capture it. Happy Recording!

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound Recording Studios
tel: 613.822.0726 . fax: 613.822.2336
web: info@bluebearsound.com . http://www.bluebearsound.com