Topic: Preamp? Do I need one of those?

[F.O.Bean]

I would at the very least get a preamp. You can always run it down to 0 if you have enough gain

[acidjack]

I would at the very least get a preamp. You can always run it down to 0 if you have enough gain

With small stealth mics?  For taping loud shows?  Why?

[F.O.Bean]

Well, I shouldve rephrased that. I meant if youre recording quiet music. A Battery Box has served me well w/ my CA14 mics. I just got a CA 9100 for those quiet shows

[adrianf74]

Well, I shouldve rephrased that. I meant if youre recording quiet music. A Battery Box has served me well w/ my CA14 mics. I just got a CA 9100 for those quiet shows

+1.  More often than not (especially at club shows), the sound levels are more than adequate to use just a battery box.  At the same time, it's always nice to have that option of giving the mics some more juice if it isn't as loud as you think it was going to be.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

It comes down to: how often is the OP recording "quiet shows" and does it justify the cash outlay for a mic pre?  I can't speak for everyone and every situation, but I've found that when stealth recording quiet shows, location in the venue is much more important than additional gain from a preamp.  And if you're running 24-bit you have the extra room for raising levels in post without introducing more noise.  For me, my recorder and a battery box has provided plenty of gain for the quiet gigs I've recorded; I haven't found the need to invest in a pre for my stealth rig.  YMMV.

[beatkilla]

I have been recording shows since 1986 and i have not yet run into any situation where i would have needed a pre. Just what are you guys taping that is so quiet?

[Belexes]

I have taped amplified shows where I maxed out the gain on my pre as well as the the deck and have not achieved levels over -12 dB.  I ran 24 bit and was able to boost in post, but I do appreciate a pre-amp for those quiet shows.

*Need*, perhaps not, but it is certainly nice to have in the taping bag when its use may be benefitial. 

[achalsey]

I have taped amplified shows where I maxed out the gain on my pre as well as the the deck and have not achieved levels over -12 dB.

I have as well.  When I first started (using the CA-14 > 9100 > H120) I thought there was something wrong with pre.  I recorded a few normally loud shows and had the gain maxed on the 9100 and still added some on the H120 to get levels around -6 dB.

I don't stealth so size isn't an issue (even though its only the 9100) but on many occasions it has been necessary even at decently loud shows.