Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Low end simple preamp for computer recording.

Shadow_7 · 21st September 2007

I have a couple 1/8" mics that I need to have the input levels amped up to lower the gain settings on the computer/laptop so I can get a better sounding and less noisy recording. I don't need anything high end at the moment. But I would like something with variable gain. And maybe an XLR3 input option. I would ultimately like to get a higher end ribbon microphone eventually. But at the moment I'm looking at something portable and cheap. To be inputed to the onboard 1/8" mic port or usb port. None of my machines currently have firewire ports. I also run linux exclusively so it'll need to work in linux, or be hardware independant of the OS.

Something like this would suffice I suppose, but I would like a variable gain. Stereo input/output if possible. Other desireable, but not mandatory traits would be 2x XLR3 inputs for stereo recording, and a limiter.

http://www.btech-usa.com/bt26.htm

I would obviously have to adapter the mic cord to fit a 1/4" jack on this thing. And I would have to use a RCA to 1/8" cable to input to the mic port. Stuff which I probably already have laying about somewhere around here. Or can otherwise get off the shelf locally.

At the moment I have a few of these mics. And I can get a decent level on my computers with them, but I have to use the mic boost mixer option which puts a lot of hiss into the recorded track. I'd like to get around that by using a preamp. And I'd ultimately like to get a ribbon mic that will require a preamp.

http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/

Any suggestions welcomed. Most of what I'll be recording is brass playing. Ensemble, and individual. I'm a trombone player by training myself. And can do a mediocre job on playing most brasses. I'm also in a drum and bugle corps that I'd like to record on my laptop with a portable and cheap solution. Since it'll be in the elements on occassion and maybe unsupervised and stealable. The laptop costs less than $400 new, and I don't want to exceed that for the preamp(s). My mic collection only being about $100 at the moment. So something $50 to $200 for the preamp would suffice.

Thanks.

21st September 2007	#1
Shadow_7 Banned Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 595 Thread Starter	Low end simple preamp for computer recording. I have a couple 1/8" mics that I need to have the input levels amped up to lower the gain settings on the computer/laptop so I can get a better sounding and less noisy recording. I don't need anything high end at the moment. But I would like something with variable gain. And maybe an XLR3 input option. I would ultimately like to get a higher end ribbon microphone eventually. But at the moment I'm looking at something portable and cheap. To be inputed to the onboard 1/8" mic port or usb port. None of my machines currently have firewire ports. I also run linux exclusively so it'll need to work in linux, or be hardware independant of the OS. Something like this would suffice I suppose, but I would like a variable gain. Stereo input/output if possible. Other desireable, but not mandatory traits would be 2x XLR3 inputs for stereo recording, and a limiter. http://www.btech-usa.com/bt26.htm I would obviously have to adapter the mic cord to fit a 1/4" jack on this thing. And I would have to use a RCA to 1/8" cable to input to the mic port. Stuff which I probably already have laying about somewhere around here. Or can otherwise get off the shelf locally. At the moment I have a few of these mics. And I can get a decent level on my computers with them, but I have to use the mic boost mixer option which puts a lot of hiss into the recorded track. I'd like to get around that by using a preamp. And I'd ultimately like to get a ribbon mic that will require a preamp. http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/ Any suggestions welcomed. Most of what I'll be recording is brass playing. Ensemble, and individual. I'm a trombone player by training myself. And can do a mediocre job on playing most brasses. I'm also in a drum and bugle corps that I'd like to record on my laptop with a portable and cheap solution. Since it'll be in the elements on occassion and maybe unsupervised and stealable. The laptop costs less than $400 new, and I don't want to exceed that for the preamp(s). My mic collection only being about $100 at the moment. So something $50 to $200 for the preamp would suffice. Thanks.