Do I need a mic preamp?

[G-Zod]

So I have a very basic setup, all analog basically. At this point it's just a single SM57 going into the recorder. Would I benefit from a low budget tube mic preamp, like one those Behringer units? I also ordered a Fredman mic clip to see what gives me, any other ideas?

[ajaxlepinski]

I like having my 500 Series preamp... it gives extra control over the level going into my A/D converter.
I have a MBox Pro converter, that I like a lot but, the preamps in the MBox are sensitive to guitar pickup output.
Hot pickups over load the MBox and weak pickups sometimes benefit from a boost. My vocals also need a boost... because, I'm embarrassed to sing loudly with other people in the house!
A compressor, before the A/D converter is more important, IMHO... having both a compressor and a preamp is very handy.

[BroSlinger]

So I have a very basic setup, all analog basically. At this point it's just a single SM57 going into the recorder. Would I benefit from a low budget tube mic preamp, like one those Behringer units? I also ordered a Fredman mic clip to see what gives me, any other ideas?

What kind of "recorder"? like an interface?

either way, you would probably benefit from a preamp.

That said, I would take an underrated, $300 solid state preamp over any "tube" preamp at the same price. At that level, tubes are usually just thrown in for marketing, and run at low voltage anyways.

If you're willing to get a 500 series rack, I really like the Aphex J series.

If you want a standalone preamp, the Warm stuff sounds nice (I had one break though, so get it from a reputable dealer).

If you want to search for something cheap and underappreciated, the Rane DMS-22 is a killer 2 channel unit.

[newholland]

i'd say that's a definite no.

preamps are NICE, no doubt, but unless you need serious coloration and have converters on the back end that can translate serious iron, i can't really recommend that expense. the bang for the buck for a cheap tube pre just isn't there when you could up your mic game, and/or get a better input device.

in all seriousness, i'd spend that dough on another mic first- even if its something like a cascade fathead bare bones edition, or even a cheap multipattern condenser mic to use with your 57. pre's are like step 10 in the process, and i'd save scratch for the real deal LATER rather than just get some starved plate tube thing just cause it LOOKS cools, and offers no real benefit over your onboard pres you couldn't emulate with free plugins more effectively.

[G-Zod]

So I have a very basic setup, all analog basically. At this point it's just a single SM57 going into the recorder. Would I benefit from a low budget tube mic preamp, like one those Behringer units? I also ordered a Fredman mic clip to see what gives me, any other ideas?

What kind of "recorder"? like an interface?

either way, you would probably benefit from a preamp.

That said, I would take an underrated, $300 solid state preamp over any "tube" preamp at the same price. At that level, tubes are usually just thrown in for marketing, and run at low voltage anyways.

If you're willing to get a 500 series rack, I really like the Aphex J series.

If you want a standalone preamp, the Warm stuff sounds nice (I had one break though, so get it from a reputable dealer).

If you want to search for something cheap and underappreciated, the Rane DMS-22 is a killer 2 channel unit.

I have a Fostex 16 track and also an Alesis ADAT.

Well the DMS-22 looks good, maybe a little too much for my budget right now though. The reason I was asking about the Behringer is that someone has a couple posted on CL for $39 a piece. I would like a 2 channel though for the Fredman technique.

[G-Zod]

i'd say that's a definite no.

preamps are NICE, no doubt, but unless you need serious coloration and have converters on the back end that can translate serious iron, i can't really recommend that expense. the bang for the buck for a cheap tube pre just isn't there when you could up your mic game, and/or get a better input device.

in all seriousness, i'd spend that dough on another mic first- even if its something like a cascade fathead bare bones edition, or even a cheap multipattern condenser mic to use with your 57. pre's are like step 10 in the process, and i'd save scratch for the real deal LATER rather than just get some starved plate tube thing just cause it LOOKS cools, and offers no real benefit over your onboard pres you couldn't emulate with free plugins more effectively.

Actually I have another SM57. Also, I know a lot of you guys will do the old on me, but I don't use a computer at all, I'm 100% analog.

[BroSlinger]

Shoot, that analog Fostex probably has a better preamp than a crummy behringer preamp.

[EndTime]

The answer is No on one of them cheap little tube jobs that go for $40 orsumthin. Pretty pointless nowadays. They might be of some use for a stage where someone might need a cheap portable preamp.

Warm preamps are cool and even the Golden Age Projects are your best bet for cheap. But they are still $300ish new

Also that Fostex must be digital if it’s 16 track, no? So not totally analog. Unless you have one of those old reel to reel ones?

Also it must have at least 4 mic pres I would guess?

[ajaxlepinski]

AH HA! Analog board and a digital ADAT! I should have never taken that Evelyn Wood Speed Reading course!

Like Broslinger said, your board should have decent preamps so, you shouldn't need a separate one.
If you don't already have one, a compressor and expander (or two or, three) are must haves.
Even a couple of multi-fx processors, like an old, Yamaha SPX 90 would be a better investment than a preamp.
The expensive part of using an analog board (with ADAT multitrack) is that you really need a whole rack of gear (or 500 series lunchbox) for each channel that you use when mixingdown and especially if you're recording more than one instrument at the same time.
Recording on a computer and using plugins, eliminates the need for tons of outboard gear.

The 500 series lunchbox, that I posted in my first reply is still a good option for you.

You'll also want noise gates for each track on your ADAT when mixing down.

[G-Zod]

The answer is No on one of them cheap little tube jobs that go for $40 orsumthin. Pretty pointless nowadays. They might be of some use for a stage where someone might need a cheap portable preamp.

Warm preamps are cool and even the Golden Age Projects are your best bet for cheap. But they are still $300ish new

Also that Fostex must be digital if it’s 16 track, no? So not totally analog. Unless you have one of those old reel to reel ones?

Also it must have at least 4 mic pres I would guess?

Yes, you are correct on the Fostex, my bad, it has 2 XLR inputs, not sure if that's the same thing.

[G-Zod]

AH HA! Analog board and a digital ADAT! I should have never taken that Evelyn Wood Speed Reading course!

Like Broslinger said, your board should have decent preamps so, you shouldn't need a separate one.
If you don't already have one, a compressor and expander (or two or, three) are must haves.
Even a couple of multi-fx processors, like an old, Yamaha SPX 90 would be a better investment than a preamp.
The expensive part of using an analog board (with ADAT multitrack) is that you really need a whole rack of gear (or 500 series lunchbox) for each channel that you use when mixingdown and especially if you're recording more than one instrument at the same time.
Recording on a computer and using plugins, eliminates the need for tons of outboard gear.

The 500 series lunchbox, that I posted in my first reply is still a good option for you.

You'll also want noise gates for each track on your ADAT when mixing down.

I guess I'm not providing all the vital info. My buddy who loaned me the ADAT has all the mixdown\mastering stuff. What we are doing so far is he's laying down his drums and bass (another friend of mine), then I take it to my house, add guitar and keys and then take back when I'm done for him to mixdown\master. So yes I'd like to get all that stuff purchased and setup at some point but for now my main focus is trying to record my guitar as best I can with my limited setup. Kinda sounds like the Fredman clip is all I got at this point...

[newholland]

oh yeah, naw.. if you've got a fostex board, no- you're already better off than some shitty tube pre that uses an led to light it up and look like y' got something

if you've got faders AND a preamp gain, just run your input gain up and pull your levels down on the fader and you'll heat that signal up. can't guarantee it's gonna sound amazing... but you'll certainly get color.

nothin' wrong with a 57 given the right preamplification or good gainstaging, for sure-- they definitely benefit from a burly front end-- but a behringer isn't gonna get you where you wanna go.

[G-Zod]

oh yeah, naw.. if you've got a fostex board, no- you're already better off than some shitty tube pre that uses an led to light it up and look like y' got something

if you've got faders AND a preamp gain, just run your input gain up and pull your levels down on the fader and you'll heat that signal up. can't guarantee it's gonna sound amazing... but you'll certainly get color.

nothin' wrong with a 57 given the right preamplification or good gainstaging, for sure-- they definitely benefit from a burly front end-- but a behringer isn't gonna get you where you wanna go.

Ok, good stuff, thanks for your and everyone else's input, much appreciated.