From the course: Audio Recording Techniques
Unlock the full course today
Join today to access over 22,600 courses taught by industry experts or purchase this course individually.
Explaining the microphone preamplifier
From the course: Audio Recording Techniques
Explaining the microphone preamplifier
Almost as important as the microphone is the microphone preamplifier or Mic Pre, Mic Amp, or just Pre Amp. The circuit boosts the tiny output voltage from the microphone up to a level, which is called Line Level, that's easily sent around the studio to consoles, outboard gear, and DAWs. Let's see how it works. Most DAW interfaces and almost all consoles have mic preamps built into them, but in most cases the quality of the circuitry isn't nearly as high as what's available in a dedicated outboard piece. That said, each Mic Pre has its own sound and most engineers will select the Mic Pre and microphone combination because of the sonic color that the combination provides, which makes the captured audio fit the music better. Usually a dedicated mic amp sounds a lot better than the once included in the DAW interface or console. An outboard pre generally provides a signal that has higher highs and lower lows, meaning it has a better frequency response, and is clearer and cleaner. This…
Practice while you learn with exercise files
Download the files the instructor uses to teach the course. Follow along and learn by watching, listening and practicing.
- Ch_02_Microphones_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_02_Microphones_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_03_Preamps_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_03_Preamps_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_04_Microphone_Placement_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_04_Microphone_Placement_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_05_Drums_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_05_Drums_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_06_Guitar_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_06_Guitar_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_07_Bass_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_07_Bass_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_08_Vocals_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_08_Vocals_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_09_Piano_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_09_Piano_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_10_Horns_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_10_Horns_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_11_Strings_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_11_Strings_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_12_Percussion_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_12_Percussion_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_14_Stereo_Techniques_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_14_Stereo_Techniques_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_15_Recording_The_Session_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_15_Recording_The_Session_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_16_Simply_Falling_PT_Mix_Session.zip
- Ch_16_Simply_Falling_Raw_WAVs.zip
Contents
-
-
-
-
-
(Locked)
Explaining the microphone preamplifier3m 59s
-
(Locked)
Choosing a preamp1m 35s
-
(Locked)
Setting up the mic preamp1m 39s
-
(Locked)
Setting the record level2m 29s
-
(Locked)
Using proper gain staging1m 46s
-
Knowing what to do if distortion occurs2m
-
(Locked)
Using the compressor during recording2m 58s
-
(Locked)
Using the equalizer (EQ) during recording2m 24s
-
(Locked)
Using the high-pass filter during recording1m 4s
-
(Locked)
Exploring the principles of EQ47s
-
(Locked)
Avoiding latency3m 51s
-
(Locked)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-