Preamp vs Mixer
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Posted on Nov 18, 2004 04:35 pm
theskrub
If I were any cooler I'd freeze.
Member Since: Nov 08, 2004
I was discussing my future recording situation with my guitar teacher the other day. I told him I was buying the Delta 44 and A Behringer Mixer with 4 outs. He said that mixers tend to send a tone that diminishes the natural quality and to try and not send it through the mixer but just use the preamps. Do u agree on this and will it work with this type of mixer? If not what preamps are good that has 4 ins?
Thank you HRC for being patient with me
Hey, that rhymed!:)
-Lassie the dog
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Nov 18, 2004 04:40 pm Well, if you have a dedicated preamp that costs $200 and compare it to a mixer that costs $200 and has some preamps in it, yes, the dedicated preamp will sound better. That's just logic. Keep in mind though the overall benefit of each. A mixer can come in handy in many situations over the course of a lifetime, a preamp has one dedicated use.
So, if you have that same $200 to spend (just using that figure as an example) I would buy the mixer because it will be of more overall good to you then buy a preamp down the road...
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Nov 18, 2004 05:11 pm You could tap the signal out at the channel inserts, that's pretty early in the signal chain, then you're not going through the rest of the mixer and possibly affecting the sound with the remaining signal sections.
I use the channel inserts on my yamaha board to connect to the soundcard inputs, I find it to be a good solution.
As far as the mixer affecting the sound, I would think that everything would affect the signal; mic, cable, preamps, jacks, mixer, etc, etc,. I would think that it's a mix of how much you're willing to live with VS. how much you can spend to avoid it.
I agree with dB, if you're getting started, then use the mixer preamps, then in the future you'll have some listening experience to use when purchasing a higher priced, dedicated preamp (should you need to). And, you'll still have the mixer to boot.
of course, this is only my .02$us
Nov 18, 2004 05:15 pm I was in the same spot, a lil while back with vocals, and keyboard, and i got the UB802, and its nice, and comes and handy and actually i dont regret it, It comes in handy for everything..
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Nov 18, 2004 07:01 pm Quite frankly I have never heard of a mixer "puting out a tone" but who knows. The mixers today have pretty transparent pre-amps. Now buying units that are pre-amps only and do no mixing will probably be a bit better pre-amps.
