Shadow_7, I think it would be great if preamps that are deficient in terms of frequency response, phantom powering, input impedance, etc. weren't bought by anyone. But my point is that then, pretty much all remaining preamps would sound alike. The same is definitely not true of microphones--so I don't think that it pays to be more interested in preamps than, say, in microphones. With preamps it's more or less like, "you have to be this tall to ride" whereas microphones and different ways of using them are like all the different rides that you get to go on.
--best regards
Agreed, unfortunately the preamps that qualify are almost exclusively in that $1,000+, maybe even $2,000+ range. I'm trying to stick to a budget, the high end of which is $3,000 for mics, $1,000 for preamps($500 per channel), $10,000 for pro video (to include all accessories and back end needed to use it). i.e. I'm not wanting to spend more on recording gear than I spent on my car. And those figures are long term goals. And the goal is not to spend that cash, but to have the equivalent value in gear. Right now I sit at about $1,000 in a field recorder, $500 in mics, soon to be $600 in external preamps. And probably $500 in accessories (mic stands + boom arms, cables, T bars, various *pods for video, .....). And $400 for a Sanyo FH1, but I'd hardly call that pro video. Although still impressive for the cash.
Unfortunately battery powered preamp options are limited. At least those that run on traditional batteries (AAs, 9Vs, D, C, ....). In the sub $1K range 2x MP-1 don't appear to be too hideous. And in terms of bulk in a mobile kit, they're almost cute. According to specs alone I gain a couple hours of phantom power. And I gain a usable limiter, not that I plan on running things at a level that activates the limiter, but it adds a certain piece of mind knowing that it's there and probably wont suck. Since I plan on running video at the same time leaving the audio (outside of the initial level setting) on auto pilot.
I'd probably be happier with a V3, but that's twice the price and I don't currently have that budget. And there's a lot of extras (fluff) that I don't need in that unit. A naiant littlebox would more than likely meet my current needs, but I like having headroom and options. i.e. long term goals, some parameters of which may still be unknown. For the moment it's geared towards middle of a corn field, any weather condition recording. Targeting 3+ hours continuous sessions per set of batteries. Right now I only get about 2 hours.
Ultimately I'll probably run a battery plus inverter and have some sort of rack / toolbox setup. But I'm not there yet. And if there's a more survivor man mobile option, I'm game. Not that parades are all that interesting, but it'd be nice to have a full A/V kit that one could march in a parade. Without tripping on cords, having to stop in the middle and swap batteries, and otherwise knocking mounted police off their horses while trying to manuever through crowds. But still having PRO-ish quality gear. I know, it's not a normal goal. And I'm finding that I'm having to DIY a lot more than I ever expected to. Windscreens thick enough for conditions in my region. Monopod mounted to an over the shoulder camera rig to cut down on Z-axis yaw and to lighten the load while still being able to record from stadium bleachers. I'm probably looking at a mic zeppelin with solid water diverting roof eventually and other if this happens, so what, measures. Eventually....
Topic: Battery powered microphone preamps with phantom power? (Read 18410 times)