Bit of a noob question and sure I could Google it, but then whats the point of a freindly discussion forum? Sometimes advice from people you've got to know over time is somehow more credible than doing random hit n miss Googling. Also I value experience over 'by the book technical' advice if you know what I mean, so as to really get under the skin of a subject.

So, why to some EDM producers swear by using a pre - amp?

I have a little bit of hardware including a tube mic which currently I record straight into my RME interface and on into Cubase. I noticed recording the kik lancet this way results in quite a brittle sort of lossy sound file in the DAW.

Would I get a 'nicer' sound when recording my monophonic analogue synth this way?

Is the point of a pre - amp to somehow get a sweeter more rounded take?

Until now I always thought that all sounds end up digital in the DAW so whats the point of a pre - amp?

Also is there a reasonable one I could get second hand without spending more than say $200!!!

I saw a vid where that owner of Sample Magik swears by something called the Distressor. I noticed quite a few pro's use pre - amps in those FM in the studio vids.

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Unless you get near the £1000 mark I don't see you getting a much nicer signal than you've already got with your RME. I'd also argue that it's not particularly vital for recording synths either. Putting vocals through it is another matter as they sit proud at the front of a mix, although you'd still need a decent mic to run through the pre-amp and of course a good room and some skill to record it properly in the first place. Same deal with recording a mic'd up guitar amp etc. It's all wizardry.

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i think the main advantage is more headroom so rather then working your hardware you can use a preamp to give you some space to play with.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Butler Is the point of a pre - amp to somehow get a sweeter more rounded take?

No, the point of a pre-amp is to amplify a signal.

quote:

Until now I always thought that all sounds end up digital in the DAW so whats the point of a pre - amp?

Less noise.

Yup

Sounding pretty is a side effect. Honestly, unless you are recording acoustic music where an element will have enough space to make it noticeable.

Performer - room - mic / preamp. : order of importance. And the mic preamp is really subjective. Sometimes, a 58 sounds better than a u87. Some times a di works better than a 2000 preamp.

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quote:

Originally posted by Richard Butler I saw a vid where that owner of Sample Magik swears by something called the Distressor. I noticed quite a few pro's use pre - amps in those FM in the studio vids.

It's a fancy compressor/limiter/gain knob.
http://www.empiricallabs.com/distdes.html

well, i don't think a pre-amp is going to make that kick lancet work for you

the distressor is just a handy do it all type if you can't afford the normal gambit of high end compressors or just want the convenience of the old classics in one unit. Not that it is exactly the same but considering how much more versatile it is , not a bad deal.

And no, you don't need a distressor.

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I've read a lot of guys swear by Distressors for crunchy drum goodness.

Ralphie here had a pair at one point. Hopefully if he sees the thread he'll chime in.

quote:

Originally posted by Looney4Clooney Yup Sounding pretty is a side effect. Honestly, unless you are recording acoustic music where an element will have enough space to make it noticeable. Performer - room - mic / preamp. : order of importance. And the mic preamp is really subjective. Sometimes, a 58 sounds better than a u87. Some times a di works better than a 2000 preamp.

I'd actually argue, at least for a project studio that it goes:

Performer - mic - room - preamp.

I've seen pretty decent recordings come of out of shitty rooms with them right technique (mic technique and baffling etc). The preamp is really the last thing to worry about as if the performer and mic aren't any good, then the preamp won't solve any problems or make it sound noticeably better. However you don't want to be running a nice original state U49 through your motu's biult in mic pres.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN I'd actually argue, at least for a project studio that it goes: Performer - mic - room - preamp.

I guess it depends on how we're referring to "room". In terms of acoustics (i.e., the sound of the room), I agree that the room is probably less important in a hobby studio, but in terms of noise floor and related issues that usually need to be addressed, it's pretty important.

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well we were not just talking about vocals so i would say the room is pretty important for anything that isn't closed mic'd. More important than the mic or preamp. All those classic albums recorded with shitty micrphones, all great rooms.

but for EDM, ya i guess room isn't such a big deal.

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Last edited by Looney4Clooney on Feb-08-2012 at 20:13