Tube vs. Digital microphone preamp.

[wasteofo2]

My computer came with a built in preamp for recording, so I haven't needed to buy one seperately. My question is; do tube preamps make that much of a difference over the preamp that would come with your average computer not meant for recording that they're worth the $100 or so they seem to cost?

 

[Stevo]

Re: Tube vs. Digital microphone preamp.

It's gotta be better than the generic preamp.. are you talking about that noisy 20db boost?

 

[wasteofo2]

Re: Tube vs. Digital microphone preamp.

Well it's not particularly noisy that I've noticed, it's accessed when you open your volume control window up and choose the "Advanced" icon under mic volume.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tube vs. Digital microphone preamp.

They don't necessarily have to be tube, but analog definitely sounds bigger and has more headroom before clipping. You get what you pay for, though, because some mic pre's in the $200 price range do little more than color your original sound. You don't start hearing great results till you invest in a pro quality mic pre. You notice the need for good mic pres, mostly on vocals and acoustic instruments, tho.

 

[wasteofo2]

Re: Tube vs. Digital microphone preamp.

They don't necessarily have to be tube, but analog definitely sounds bigger and has more headroom before clipping. You get what you pay for, though, because some mic pre's in the $200 price range do little more than color your original sound. You don't start hearing great results till you invest in a pro quality mic pre. You notice the need for good mic pres, mostly on vocals and acoustic instruments, tho.

That's funny, when I record my amp it sounds, well, digital. It lacks any low/mid "oompf" and sounds really bright and processed.