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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: nak700s on June 15, 2017, 01:42:02 PM

Title: Mic Pre Amps and what is necessary
Post by: nak700s on June 15, 2017, 01:42:02 PM
OK, new question (sort of):
Being relatively new to using a pre-amp & phantom power for microphones, I need some clarification from those in the taping community.

My main concern will be when using mics > pre > 744T. Mics being used on stage to essentially mic amps and drums.

In comparing the Sound Devices 302 to the Sound Devices MixPre-D, I see, aside from the obvious additional mic input on the 302, is that the 302 has a gain control for each input as opposed to the MixPre-D having no additional gain control at all (in other words, the gain will be set at a permanent 0db).  Also, the MixPre-D has a digital output, whereas the 302 only has an analog output.  Did I miss any other important differences?

My questions regarding my observations are these:
How important is the mic gain, in addition to the fader (input) and the input on the 744T?  Please explain so I understand, this is new for me.
It seem to me that a digital output would be important running into the 744T, as opposed to analog...is it?  What are the differences?

Thank you in advance...I've managed to avoid using mic pre's (other than a small stealth one) for over 30 years, but it's finally caught up with me, and now I need help.
Title: Re: Mic Pre Amps and what is necessary
Post by: MakersMarc on June 15, 2017, 04:52:25 PM
If you were happy running the 700s right into a deck, you'll be happy with the 744 pres. unless you feel like carrying unnecessary gear.
Title: Re: Mic Pre Amps and what is necessary
Post by: nak700s on June 15, 2017, 05:12:00 PM
I'm not as concerned about the pres for the 700's, but will need phantom and pres for other mics.  If I was only ever going to run the 700's, I wouldn't buy a pre at all.
Title: Re: Mic Pre Amps and what is necessary
Post by: MakersMarc on June 15, 2017, 06:06:57 PM
I'd try to run the 744 pres for awhile before committing. Just me.  Schoeps are the first mikes I
Have owned that need no color from an outboard pre, just clean power and gain.
Title: Re: Mic Pre Amps and what is necessary
Post by: nak700s on June 15, 2017, 06:11:36 PM
That's a big part of my question, the gain...how important is it?  Otherwise, all I have is the input on the 744T.
Title: Re: Mic Pre Amps and what is necessary
Post by: MakersMarc on June 15, 2017, 08:25:05 PM
744 should supply more than enough clean gain for any situation. V2 is another good choice for lots of clean gain.