Topic: What is your favorite pre-amp

[Brian Skalinder]

It depends in large part on the mics.  Some mics/preamps are a good match, others not so much.

[Chris K]

V3 for mics

V-Twin for guitar   

[H₂O]

PSP-2

[Nick's Picks]

some preamps are more universally friendly, IMO.

for example, the MMP or V3.  I have not heard anything that sounds bad through those.  I dont even find that they complitment any one particular brand of mic over another.  they just sound goooood!

an m148 on the other hand....
I wouldnt' use w/certain mics.  Def. not w/any LD mics.

the 248, I would only want to use that with MK4s or Geffels.

but to each ear, their own.

[Tim]

an m148 on the other hand....
I wouldnt' use w/certain mics.  Def. not w/any LD mics.

betcha I can change your mind on that one

the u89s sound great through a transformer based pre

[digifish_music]

Hey Everyone,

I want to know what your favorite portable pre-amp is.

[edit: I am looking for your favorite non-rackmountable, non-usb amp. In other words, something portable with great sound If you're recording into say a 670,670, R-09, 2LE, is it very cost effective to have something like the miniMP with usb? I certainly don't think so but what is a reason you would would get a device with USB for field work? I could be wrong, don't be afraid to tell me so.]

Sound Devices MixPre, mainly for its very very low noise, nice gain, nice limiters and ruggedness.



http://www.sounddevices.com/download/photos/mixpre-in-out.jpg

http://www.sounddevices.com/download/photos/mixpre-master.jpg

BTW: IMO the mics, recording location, mic placement etc have far far far far far (did I say far enough?) more effect on the sound than the mic preamp...assuming it's not a cheap piece of crud. 

My favourite thing about the MixPre is the low noise, I do mainly field-recording so it wins my vote there, you can wind it to + 60 dB and hear almost nothing.

The thing I hate about it is the LEDs will blind you...in daylight...on the dimmest setting 

digifish

[dmonkey]

The thing I hate about it is the LEDs will blind you...in daylight...on the dimmest setting 

I just got one of these and noticed the same thing. You can use them as flashlights if you kick the brightness setting all the way up. Hell, you could probably signal airplanes with those things. 

[digifish_music]

The thing I hate about it is the LEDs will blind you...in daylight...on the dimmest setting 

I just got one of these and noticed the same thing. You can use them as flashlights if you kick the brightness setting all the way up. Hell, you could probably signal airplanes with those things. 

Indeed. Honestly it's a bit stupid...what were they thinking? 

[jlykos]

148

[muj]

portable: m148 the best

non portable: gordon audio ..

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Indeed. Honestly it's a bit stupid...what were they thinking? 

Maybe that some folks will use the pre in the sun?

[Nick's Picks]

what?  you mean unobtrusive concert taping wasn't the design goal?
these freakin companies.  what are they thinking?

[digifish_music]

Indeed. Honestly it's a bit stupid...what were they thinking? 

Maybe that some folks will use the pre in the sun?

The dimmest setting is fully visible, at the beach, on a sunny day. I have tested.   

digifish

[stirinthesauce]

If in need, you could use as landing lights for a runway.  Or to signal aliens in the next galaxy.