what does a preamp or mixer do

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Faze 2 Studios
Member Since: Aug 15, 2005

I posted recently with the question "is a delta 66 card and pro-tools good" and peopel are telling me that I need a mixer becuase it would act as a pre amp. what does that do? Under my impressing I would just mic my guitars, conect them to the delta 66 and change all the levels in the software? what woudl the pre-amp do exactly though? I realize I need a compresser for vocals, but cant i jsut put the mic into the compresser and the compresser into the delta? I guess my question is what does a pre-amp do or a mixer? what do they do? haha basic question.

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edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Aug 17, 2005 02:06 am

Pre amps basically raise a "mic" level (very low) to a "line level" (quite high). They also convert impedances for high to low and vice versa. If you were to plug your mic directly into the delta's inputs, you would get a really low level that would be impossible to boost to be loud enough and clear enough, and a whole lot of noise from mismatched impedance.

You can get compressors/preamps which do both the jobs you want. But again, if you plugged plug your mic directly into a dedicated compressor, you will get low level, and noise.

Also condenser microphones require power to operate. This is called "Phantom Power" and is "+48 V". Most preamps will provide this at a push of a button, but your delta cannot.

Member
Since: Apr 27, 2002


Aug 17, 2005 09:49 am

picture it like this...what does a guitar amp do? takes the sound of your guitar and gives it a level boost...makes it louder...more audible...so say, it takes the volume of your guitar from a 1 and takes it up to a 5...ok...

now the same concept applies, when you plug your microphone into the delta 66 the level will be very very very very low...so when you record it and try to turn it up in your program, it will be somewhat futile and will also bring up alot of noise issues, but with a preamp for each mic, you can turn it up before it even hits the Delta and this is the proper way to do this, trust me, trust all of us here, you will need preamps, if you are going to record 2 tracks of audio simultaneously, then you'll need 2, if you are gonna 4, then you'll need 4 preamps, etc...

to be perfectly honest, my mixer was the first thing i got before i even switched to a Delta and was using a cassette 4 track...

and phantom power...almost forgot, you will need phantom power for condenser mics such as the Studio Projects B1

Faze 2 Studios
Member
Since: Aug 15, 2005


Aug 17, 2005 04:05 pm

ok thanks a million for all your guys responces. they are giving me a lot clearer picture of how all this works. thank you... ok well ive now decided maybe the delta isnt the way to go for me. Now I have my mind on the "Digidesign 002 Rack" would this be a god choice? Ive figured that its in my price range and other htne guying it all i would need is a computer to host the software.. (and mics and monitors) but what do you guys think of the digi 002 rack? good set up? Is it considered a mixer? (i dotn think it is) but do you think id still need a mixer or no?

Thank you guys

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 17, 2005 04:06 pm

It'll be fine if you don't mind being tied to protools...

Member
Since: Apr 27, 2002


Aug 17, 2005 07:38 pm

i dont remember, but does the DIGI come with preamps built in? if so, then thats swell...also, dB said it right, once you go ProTools, you'll be tied down to ProTools like a my dad's tied down to my mother...and it aint pretty...

Faze 2 Studios
Member
Since: Aug 15, 2005


Aug 17, 2005 08:55 pm

Is pro-tools LE NOT good? what cant It do that other programs can?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 17, 2005 09:36 pm

not sure, but as I recall it used to not support DirectX or VST plugs or softsynths, is limited to 32 tracks and only works with Digi hardware...

didn't say it wasn't good, just said the 002 is fine if you don't mind being tied to it...

Faze 2 Studios
Member
Since: Aug 15, 2005


Aug 17, 2005 10:38 pm

What is DirectX or VST or softsynths.... To my knowledge directX is video card software? if thats true how does that effect mixing?.... thanks a lot for your help DBmasters. I relaly do apreciate it.


Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 17, 2005 10:44 pm

DirectX and VST are two standards for third-party plugin effects...most programs come with various collections of reverbs, compressors, delays and such things...these two standards make it possible for people to purchase other effects and have them work within a program that supports the standards. Those same standards supper "softsynths" which are, essentially, computer based synthesizers, drum machines and other things.

The thing I hate about ProTools (though it's changing I believe) is that once you have ProTools you are (or were) forced to use their hardware, plugin effects and such, which are generally much more expensive than the other options. don't like companies that put a stranglehold on their users like that.

I rarely use any effects that come bundled with any program, I have my selected effects I like, and if a program does not support DirectX and/or VST (which almost ALL programs support at least one or both) I won't use that program.

But that's just me.

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Aug 17, 2005 11:11 pm

Yea, VST plug ins will definetly help you starting out, but pro tools rules VST plug ins out.

The DIGI 002 howver is a fantastic sounding A/D convertor and has 4 built in mic preamps, with roll off and gain knobs. I've tried one before, and i think it sounded wicked. But if you want to gain access to free plug ins (www.kvraudio.com) you might want to think about another program.

You can still run the DIGI 002 with other programs though.

I think Pro tools LE is a good program though. And it has a nice sounding audio engine. A have heard many a good recording that have come from it, and hey its the industry standard :P.

Faze 2 Studios
Member
Since: Aug 15, 2005


Aug 17, 2005 11:46 pm

wait did you say I can use the DIGI 002rack with non pro-tools software? that i can use sonar or soemthign else on the digi 002 if i wanted? I thought that the 002R was only pro-tools LE compatible?
and so If I got the 002R with pro-tools I CANNOT us other plugins such as VST plug ins? or directX plugins?

is there any sort of after market effects i CAN get for Pro-toosl LE?

thanks
melt

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 18, 2005 06:08 am

some apps have started developing drivers for Digi hardware, Sonar is one of them, you can use Sonar with Digi hardware.

ProTools uses TDM plugins, their own proprietary format.

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Aug 18, 2005 06:34 am

You can buy whole bundles of TDM plug ins for pro tools. You can also get the waves plug ins which are supposed to be really good in TDM as well. In fact there are a heap of TDM plug ins, just not a heap of free ones......

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 18, 2005 06:47 am

ProTools, TDM and the word free have no business ever being in the same thought process...

meltdown5, don't misunderstand the intentions of my comments. I am surely not telling you to not get ProTools, it's not my buisness to tell you what to do or what not to do. I am only pointing out the downsides of the app.

Many people have come to HRC with a ProTools dream (cuz that's what the pro use), then get it regardless of anyone's advice, then are very disillusioned with it and wound up wasting their money (in their words, not mine). I've seen it happen many time.

Then, there are people like C_S that love it...just goes to show everybody has different tastes and needs.

At the end of the day all the big name apps, ProTools, Cubase, Sonar and the others, even much cheaper ones, all sound great and do all the same things, just in different ways with different total costs of ownership.

Myself, I prefer Sonar...

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Aug 18, 2005 06:58 am

I prefer Cubase SX 3 :P

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