Microphone Preamps

When a microphone's signal is too weak to be transmitted to other recording devices, it needs an extra tool that can boost its signal strength back to line level. This additional piece of equipment is called a microphone preamp, and they are essential to your recording studio setup.

Before you purchase a microphone preamp, it's best to ask yourself a few key questions. For example, what kind of microphones are you using? If you're recording with a condenser microphone, you'll definitely need a preamp with phantom power, since condenser mics need electricity in order to work. However, dynamic mics have a weaker signal than condenser mics, which means you'll need a preamp for more gain, but without adding any additional noise. Although microphone amps are typically used to increase a microphones volume or provide phantom power, they are also a superb way to add warmth and clarity to the sound.

For a high performance microphone preamp at an affordable price, the new ART ProMPA II is the next generation of microphone preamp technology. Remarkably powerful and easy to use, this preamp is an excellent way of giving your projects a rich tube sound along with Mid-Side stereo recording. Another option is the Summit Audio 2BA-221 tube mic and line module. This microphone preamp contains individual controls to mix mic with Hi-Z or line inputs for variable vacuum tube output. Versatile and amazingly clear, this microphone preamp is fantastic for both amateur and expert recording setups.

You can be the best sound technician in the world, but in order to prove that you're the best, you need recording equipment that's designed by professionals, and this includes your microphone preamp. Because microphone preamps are offered by many of the world's top pro audio brands, you can have peace of mind knowing that the option you choose in this section will be more than capable of taking on its important role in the studio.