Microphone preamp
The circuit that raises a microphone's very low output to a level the rest of the recording chain can use.
A microphone produces a signal of only a few millivolts, so it needs a substantial, very clean boost before it can be recorded. A preamp's quality shows up as noise, transparency and headroom, and its gain structure decides how much of the microphone's own character survives. Most preamps are built into interfaces and consoles, while standalone units are used where a particular colour or a very low noise floor is wanted.
Example: The gain knob on an interface that raises a microphone signal to a recordable level is controlling its built-in microphone preamp.
See also
Related
- PagePreamp
- PagePhantom power
- PageChannel strip
- PageAmp mic placement
- PageAudio interface
- PageAux send
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley