From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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Setting up the mic preamp

Setting up the mic preamp

From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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Setting up the mic preamp

In order to get the cleanest sound, it's important to set the mic preamp properly. (music playing) The best way to set up a mic pre is to adjust the Gain control until the Clip LED just flashes on the loudest sections of the recording, then back it off a little. This gives you the best combination of low noise with the least distortion unless of course you like distortion. (music playing) If you set the gain of the mic amp too low you might have to raise the Gain as in another place in signal chain, which can raise the noise as well. (music playing) Many outboard mic preamps also have an output gain control. Setting this control too high can cause the next stage of the signal chain to overload. (music playing) Setting it too low can make you turn up the input gain of the next stage in order to keep the level strong, which can induce noise into the signal. (music playing) Begin by setting the upper control about in the middle, decrease it if you hear distortion or see the overload…

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