goodness gracious. FINALLY!!! someone answered my simple question in a clear way. THANKS SO MUCH DUDE. for real man. best explanation on youtube period.
Another reason to get external preamps is if you want to add compression, EQ, or other signal processing before audio is recorded as you can't use on board stock audio interface preamps in that scenario
Depending on what you are using. If you are using digital mixer for recording vocals and audio interface for recording instruments (or vice versa), then you don't need external pre-amps with compression etc. I would say biggest advantage for external pre-amps is that most of them are portable, some of them have inserts or send and return channels and you won't be needing cloudlifter for dynamic mics like shure sm7b (unless you want to be able to mute your mic by shutting down the phantom power). Compression, eq and noise gate are nice things for live streaming or events, but if you record your tracks, you can always add them on your DAW (which you get pretty much for free, if you just happen to purchase one of those brands, which offer them for free), also if you purchase digital mixer, well those things have those allready. Downside for those is price. something like DBX 286s costs around 155€ and has only 1 XLR and TRS input, 1 insert and 1 TRS output with compressor, de-esser, LF and HF enhancer and noise gate (cheapest mic pre-amp with same functions I know). If you need to record drums (which requires 7-8 microphones), obviously something like a digital mixer would be more cheaper.
When I started recording at home, in the mid/late 90's, the preamps made a huge difference. The standard preamps on sound cards/interfaces were generally terrible, even on interfaces that cost $1000. I remember buying some preamps, or running it though a mixer bfore entering the sound card, and the difference was unbelievably large. Nowadays, as long as you put nearly $1000 on your interface (for example RME BabyFace Pro, Apogee Duet/Quartet, or UA Apollo), it'll have preamps that'll sound good. It won't be like having an SSL/Neve/API preamp, for example, but it'll be good enough to give you a clean, crisp, full-bodied sound
Not all built in mic / line inputs on converters bypass the gain stage op-amp of the converter line input - i.e. some will add another gain stage, thus coloring the signal more. Some offer the option to bypass the extra gain stage; others can bypass the extra gain stage if they have an insert - plug in the external mic preamp into the insert return. When in doubt, read the manual! There is a reason so many preamps are on the market, some highly prized: good transformers provide pleasant coloration; tube preamps add harmonics (among other factors); preamp slew rates vary (how quickly they respond to level fluctuations - see the Cranesong Europa: a preamp with a variable slew rate - a 'speed' knob); discrete transistors generally sound better than IC gain stages; preamps often have different input resistances, which vastly affect the way the microphones respond. The famous Avalon 737sp has a very low 700 (or 800 ohm) input, which, along with it's high end tubes and unusual topology provides a unique sound. Last, having a preamp with a good compressor can be very handy. The Universal Audio 6176 is a fantastic preamp which combines the UA 610B preamp and an 1176 compressor; together they provide a more or less mix ready tracking experience. The APIs are amazing. I was tracking with mid-level preamps and someone lent me a pair of API 512s; the difference was phenomenal. More sense of low end; more fidelity; more nice grit; more 'in your face'; more - everything. Ever hear of Hamptone? I have a 2 channel Hamptone JFET preamp that is awesome for kick and snare; the transformer saturation fattens them up nicely. Demeter? A 2 channel tube preamp that adds warmth to anything you run through it. While built in mic preamps in converters have improved, most are still not that great. Expect corners to be cut when manufacturers cram budget preamps into an inexpensive interfaces. They also frequently have an odd tendency toward asymmetric amplification - the waveform in the DAW is more 'full range' on on side and almost clipped looking on the other. But if it sounds good.. P.S. I have a modified Presonus Eureka with Jensen transformers; sounds great!
Good analogy with how guitar amps are like various flavors likewise to various preamps; when cranked up a bit they also give you the added warmth, saturation and can focus emphasis and add light onto different mics better to best qualities for more sound detail - but at that level is the danger zone input stage for digital artifacts & clipping (anything above -12-10db can start to sound more obviously digital and not pleasant like the analog counterpart)!
Great video as usual Joe! The only thing I would add is that you might very well need an external preamp such as your Eureka, along with your external interface, if you are using a dynamic mic such as a Shure SM7B. Without using one you may find that your external interface has to be cranked so much that you get more background noise than anything or that the interface just doesn't have enough umphh to amplify things to get a usable signal.
Great video again Joe! I think there is one more advice about audio interfaces connecting to external preamps that people should be given. It is that not all audio interfaces can bypass their internal pre-amps, even when you plug in your external preamp into the Line in on the interface. Kind of a rule of thumb is in my experience: If there is no mentioning of "direct to AD converters" or something like "line input is bypassing pre-amps" than that interface is probably still using it's pre-amps with the line connections. Example: Avid Mbox 3. There are line ins, but the pre-amp does not get bypassed. Other example on the flip side: Arturia Audiofuse.
Yeah you're right. It's not technically ideal, but it's also not a big deal. The benefits of a new preamp outweigh the downsides of technically running through another amp stage.
joe you got some awesome info here thank you so much. i was wondering if you have any experience hooking up 2 optical preamps to a quantum 2626 thunderbolt 3 device? i can get one to work no problem setting the clock to adat, the other gives me clock issues. Im just stuck. i figured i would reach out and ask for help. thank you
The distinction between "instrument" and "line" inputs is very useful. I thought at first - doesn't apply to me... my Focusrite Clarett just has unlabeled combi inputs all around. But now I am remembering - I can call up a panel in my computer where I DESIGNATE those as one or the other.... hmmmm... I may owe you dinner.
Was that crowd booing sample from the stock logic audience sounds? I was having a blast one night making a dumb live recording with vocals and guitar and used the audience sounds to try and stereo image a real packed theatre. The stuff us nerds do when we can't sleep!
Might be a good idea to add that a TRS cable looks a lot like regular guitar cable, and in fact a guitar cable would fit into the TRS in- and outputs. BUT guitars cables only have two wires in them, tip and ring. So you can't use them for this application. You need what some people call a "stereo" cable, one that has 3 wires inside.
If I have a patchbay with 1/4" plugs, can I plug in a mic using a female XLR (from Mic) to 1/4" cable (into patchbay) if I want to patcth different preamps? Will the 48v damage the 1/4" connection or does it have to be XLR?
This video was really useful for me! I’m wanting to take the line output level to a mic level in order to feed it into either my camera or live streaming hardware (3.5 mm jacks). How much attenuation would I need? I see some cables are -25dB’s. I have no idea if that is enough...
Hi Joe! Possible stupid question... I'm getting an uad Apollo twin interface, and I own a PreSonus studio channel pre. Does it make sense to use them together?
I bought an ART Tube MP/C with the intention of using it in a live band situation with my headset mic and having control over my level and compression from my location. I currently have its XLR out going to one of the MIC inputs on the PA mixer. Is this incorrect ? And is it the reason why I’ve been getting so much noise (even sometimes picking up a radio station) ?
If I use an XLR output from a preamp and go into the line level side of the interface with XLR does that stay line level or do I need to convert it to a 1/4"? thx!
Sir if i use a 2inputs preamp interface such as steinberg ur22 and connect an external 8channel preamp to it.. Will i b able to use allthose 8channels togetherly ? Will it work?
I actually have the Presonus Eureka and also have a UA Apollo Twin. How do I determined which outboard preamps are less than, equal to, or better than my preamps in my Apollo interface? For some reason I stopped using my Eureka and Aphex 207 because I assumed the Apollo would sound better with the stock preamps used with the free UAD 610 pre. What are your thoughts? Solid video love them all! Great voice btw. Thank you!
I have a presonus studio live mixer 24.4.2, I use it as an audio interface but for recording ( daw studio one 5 ) the gain is too small and the wavesform are thin. can I use PreSonus Studio Channel Mic Tube PreAmp to solve the problem, and can I cause noise when using it. thank you for the help
I’d like to run my electric guitar thru my SSL E-signature channel strip- so l’d like to run my guitar like this (if possible...):-- Guitar-> Line In SSL-> Out (XLR) SSL-> ??? WHERE into my RME FF800...? Where to, and what cable to use for this connection? (I just don’t wanna damage the units..., or something else) The RME has:- 8 Balanced Line In, 8 Out, One Instrument/Line, 4 Mic & 4 Line.... (connectivity speaking) Thank you.
I only have mic inputs which will run through my existing pre amps. Can I turn off the +48 fanton power? If I'm not mistaken you said you can still run through the interface preamp and set at unity gain...Correct? I'm still a little confused. Should I just get some kind of converter and eliminate the interface?
Is there any loss of quality from connecting an external pre amp such as an Apollo interface into a studio live 32s mixer using this method? Or is the quality better directly recording from the Apollo via thunderbolt
Wait...so does my interface need line inputs or line outputs??? I just purchased a Apollo Twin interface and it doesn't have line inputs smh only outputs. Does this mean that i can't use a external micpre or compressor? Please help
Hey joe, quick question. I have the same set up but im getting an adc converter. But does converter come in before the interface or after? Also my recording signal from the external preamp, does it still go to the interface line input or the converter’s? Thanks
I’ve set up my extrrnal pre’s just like you did, but gain staging became more of a hassle. It seems I get better tone from my Focusrite 6I6 preamps. Any help out there?
My question is how do I add multiple preamps like if I had them all in a rack. Do I just run another balanced xlr to the line in on the other preamp? how does the connection work?
I traded an old school runescape account for two shelford channels and I feel bad when I bring it up since now I’m the new guy with two high end pre amps zz.
Mic into the preamp ... preamp line level out into your line level input of your audio interface. The order is like this: preamp (mic) -> line level (mixer) -> power amp (speakers)
This is super valuable advice Joe. Understanding what preamps were and that I already had these in my interface took me literally years to get my head around. Wish o had this video back then!
Hey Joe it's a year later and there's tons of new folks on the scene. You should definitely do an updated version of this video.. The whole input/output mistake made it seem like you were telling the viewers to actually use the output plugins and made the video kind of confusing because we still had to search for another video that didn't have that mistake. As somebody who clearly knows what he's talking about you should definitely have a video where you clearly guide folks to the correct input/output components. :) Cheers!
TL;DR: How to connect Ext. Preamp to Audio Interface Mic > pre-amp mic input. Pre-amp line level output > audio interface line input (w/ balanced cable). USB/Firewire (etc) > Laptop. Great video, thanks!
It kind of comes down to the "which is more important, the mic or the preamp?" argument. Well, it's a bit of both. A bad mic and a mediocre preamp will give you a bad sound, because the mic is like a camera lens. A good mic with a mediocre preamp is OK, because your source input is better. But a really good mic (lens) and a really good preamp (aperture) will be amazing, because you capture all the wonderful detail. This can also be bad, because it exposes the flaws of the performance, so all have to be right.
Using external preamps depends of interface you have. For example having latest ua apollo interface have so great preamps+simulations that makes external preamps pretty useless.
Bro!!! Not only do you explain your "How To" videos amazingly well.... but bro you can sing!! I just thougt you was an engineer! Good voice... and keep doing ya thing my brother. Thanks for the pre-amp tip.
@@HomeStudioCorner how was it obvious? i had to stop watching because everything you said after that was incorrect and moot. you kept talking about plugin in the preamp back into the inputs --- but they are outputs... so how tf would it even work.... what a terrible video......
great video dear Joe!!! one question. I have a Presonus 24.4.2 in my studio. And a Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56. Both Firewire connections. Can I daisy chain them?or I must buy a Presonus soundboard to add more chanels to my 24.4.2? Maybe you know the answer. I asked arround and nobody knows. Thankssss
Hey! What about summing back into the preamp? What lines should I use then to NOT bypass the internals? I’m thinking Line Out Interface To Mic In w/ attenuator. Let me know!
I already know what you’re going to say possibly. But I found one of these for 100 and a Focusrite platinum track master pro for 140. I’m teeter totering between the two. 😂🤣😂🤣 still doing research. I really want the presonus studio live board to not even have to deal with all this gear. What’s your thoughts
Hello there! Nice video! I play electronic drums hooked via midi(USB) to my macmini. I also have an SMSL SU8 DAC which is connected to the macmini via USB and an SMSL SP200 headphone amp connected with XLR to the DAC to drive my Beyer DT 1770s (250 ohm) heaphones. I'm very satisfied with the sound i'm getting but i was wondering if i could add a tube preamp to get even better richer and wider sound. I also plan to buy 2 alesis Strike 8 drum monitors in the future. Could you tell me how i should connect all these together in order to listen from both heaphones and monitors at the same time with a preamp included? Maybe you have a nice medium ranged price preamp to suggest? The SMSL SU8 DAC can output sound from both XLR and RCA outputs at the same time. Thank you!
I don't know if you read your comments. But Ive just bought a focus rite 18i20 and I plan on also putting in a mic pre-amp before going to my audio interface. But could I also add a compressor and eq? Would this be over kill? Obviously I want my vocals to be as good as they can be
Hi Joe, Thanks for kicking my butt every morning with your emails. I sincerely appreciate it. I have the Eureka too! It's been sitting unused in my rack for years. I'll have to do something about that.
i've got an audiobox 1818 vsl . if i record my fender cyber twin my mic's wil be in 1 and 2 -> so it uses mic preamp. But that i wont use at night. Then i use the line out of the amp that are two xlr's I put them in 5 and 6 but if i understand you correctly the soundcard won't go in Line level mode then but wil use it preamps instead because i'm using xlr cables. Because i love to use my cyber twin as preamp for my bass guitar :P
goodness gracious. FINALLY!!! someone answered my simple question in a clear way. THANKS SO MUCH DUDE. for real man. best explanation on youtube period.
Another reason to get external preamps is if you want to add compression, EQ, or other signal processing before audio is recorded as you can't use on board stock audio interface preamps in that scenario
Thanks !
@@GJames021 no problem!
Depending on what you are using. If you are using digital mixer for recording vocals and audio interface for recording instruments (or vice versa), then you don't need external pre-amps with compression etc.
I would say biggest advantage for external pre-amps is that most of them are portable, some of them have inserts or send and return channels and you won't be needing cloudlifter for dynamic mics like shure sm7b (unless you want to be able to mute your mic by shutting down the phantom power).
Compression, eq and noise gate are nice things for live streaming or events, but if you record your tracks, you can always add them on your DAW (which you get pretty much for free, if you just happen to purchase one of those brands, which offer them for free), also if you purchase digital mixer, well those things have those allready.
Downside for those is price. something like DBX 286s costs around 155€ and has only 1 XLR and TRS input, 1 insert and 1 TRS output with compressor, de-esser, LF and HF enhancer and noise gate (cheapest mic pre-amp with same functions I know). If you need to record drums (which requires 7-8 microphones), obviously something like a digital mixer would be more cheaper.
Very helpful. Thank you!
When I started recording at home, in the mid/late 90's, the preamps made a huge difference. The standard preamps on sound cards/interfaces were generally terrible, even on interfaces that cost $1000. I remember buying some preamps, or running it though a mixer bfore entering the sound card, and the difference was unbelievably large.
Nowadays, as long as you put nearly $1000 on your interface (for example RME BabyFace Pro, Apogee Duet/Quartet, or UA Apollo), it'll have preamps that'll sound good. It won't be like having an SSL/Neve/API preamp, for example, but it'll be good enough to give you a clean, crisp, full-bodied sound
I love this comment!!! Exactly what I used to say to everyone. It's not the soundblaster16 age
@@CHARLIEtheCATofficial Indeed!
“Tell them… come talk to me” 😂 I absolutely love the energy! You’re right!
great video. ive always wanted more info on this and some videos are hit or miss but this one explained everything i need. new sub here, cheers man!
Quality video many thanks.
Do you have a video showing how to use outboard gear with the studio live? Keep up the great videos
Not all built in mic / line inputs on converters bypass the gain stage op-amp of the converter line input - i.e. some will add another gain stage, thus coloring the signal more. Some offer the option to bypass the extra gain stage; others can bypass the extra gain stage if they have an insert - plug in the external mic preamp into the insert return. When in doubt, read the manual!
There is a reason so many preamps are on the market, some highly prized: good transformers provide pleasant coloration; tube preamps add harmonics (among other factors); preamp slew rates vary (how quickly they respond to level fluctuations - see the Cranesong Europa: a preamp with a variable slew rate - a 'speed' knob); discrete transistors generally sound better than IC gain stages; preamps often have different input resistances, which vastly affect the way the microphones respond. The famous Avalon 737sp has a very low 700 (or 800 ohm) input, which, along with it's high end tubes and unusual topology provides a unique sound. Last, having a preamp with a good compressor can be very handy. The Universal Audio 6176 is a fantastic preamp which combines the UA 610B preamp and an 1176 compressor; together they provide a more or less mix ready tracking experience. The APIs are amazing. I was tracking with mid-level preamps and someone lent me a pair of API 512s; the difference was phenomenal. More sense of low end; more fidelity; more nice grit; more 'in your face'; more - everything.
Ever hear of Hamptone? I have a 2 channel Hamptone JFET preamp that is awesome for kick and snare; the transformer saturation fattens them up nicely. Demeter? A 2 channel tube preamp that adds warmth to anything you run through it.
While built in mic preamps in converters have improved, most are still not that great. Expect corners to be cut when manufacturers cram budget preamps into an inexpensive interfaces. They also frequently have an odd tendency toward asymmetric amplification - the waveform in the DAW is more 'full range' on on side and almost clipped looking on the other. But if it sounds good..
P.S. I have a modified Presonus Eureka with Jensen transformers; sounds great!
Good analogy with how guitar amps are like various flavors likewise to various preamps; when cranked up a bit they also give you the added warmth, saturation and can focus emphasis and add light onto different mics better to best qualities for more sound detail - but at that level is the danger zone input stage for digital artifacts & clipping (anything above -12-10db can start to sound more obviously digital and not pleasant like the analog counterpart)!
Great info man. Thanks so much!
Great video as usual Joe! The only thing I would add is that you might very well need an external preamp such as your Eureka, along with your external interface, if you are using a dynamic mic such as a Shure SM7B. Without using one you may find that your external interface has to be cranked so much that you get more background noise than anything or that the interface just doesn't have enough umphh to amplify things to get a usable signal.
Yup. Great point.
Thanks for the video. Are those monitors beside your monitor, or simply speakers beside your monitor? I'd like to know more about those.
Super informative vid 👌🏾
Totally makes sense now. I wish the manuals that come with the gear explained it like that. Now where did I put those TRS cables....
"Hey, Joe, do I need a preamp?"
I thought it was...
"Hey, Joe, where ya goin' with that gun in your hand?"
Great video again Joe! I think there is one more advice about audio interfaces connecting to external preamps that people should be given. It is that not all audio interfaces can bypass their internal pre-amps, even when you plug in your external preamp into the Line in on the interface. Kind of a rule of thumb is in my experience: If there is no mentioning of "direct to AD converters" or something like "line input is bypassing pre-amps" than that interface is probably still using it's pre-amps with the line connections. Example: Avid Mbox 3. There are line ins, but the pre-amp does not get bypassed. Other example on the flip side: Arturia Audiofuse.
Yeah you're right. It's not technically ideal, but it's also not a big deal. The benefits of a new preamp outweigh the downsides of technically running through another amp stage.
joe you got some awesome info here thank you so much. i was wondering if you have any experience hooking up 2 optical preamps to a quantum 2626 thunderbolt 3 device? i can get one to work no problem setting the clock to adat, the other gives me clock issues. Im just stuck. i figured i would reach out and ask for help.
thank you
The distinction between "instrument" and "line" inputs is very useful. I thought at first - doesn't apply to me... my Focusrite Clarett just has unlabeled combi inputs all around. But now I am remembering - I can call up a panel in my computer where I DESIGNATE those as one or the other.... hmmmm... I may owe you dinner.
Thank you
GREAT VIDEO. crystal clear!
So from the preamp to the combo input does it matter if you use the xlr or the 1/4 inch? Since it’s bypassing the internal preamp.
Great video thx for sharing.
What microphone do you use .
Great video. You actually answer the question "why is a pre-amp desirable?"
Tqvm sir
Was that crowd booing sample from the stock logic audience sounds? I was having a blast one night making a dumb live recording with vocals and guitar and used the audience sounds to try and stereo image a real packed theatre. The stuff us nerds do when we can't sleep!
Sounds like something I would do
Amazing thanks for sharing
Might be a good idea to add that a TRS cable looks a lot like regular guitar cable, and in fact a guitar cable would fit into the TRS in- and outputs. BUT guitars cables only have two wires in them, tip and ring. So you can't use them for this application. You need what some people call a "stereo" cable, one that has 3 wires inside.
@@Unknown16735 ah, okay. Interesting. Thanks.
How about connecting the preamp to your Presonus digital mixer?
that's great man, thanks
If I was running a pre amp into a 24 channel mixing console, could I send it via AUX and have every channel tap into the pre amp? Thanks!
If I have a patchbay with 1/4" plugs, can I plug in a mic using a female XLR (from Mic) to 1/4" cable (into patchbay) if I want to patcth different preamps? Will the 48v damage the 1/4" connection or does it have to be XLR?
This video was really useful for me! I’m wanting to take the line output level to a mic level in order to feed it into either my camera or live streaming hardware (3.5 mm jacks). How much attenuation would I need? I see some cables are -25dB’s. I have no idea if that is enough...
Hi Joe! Possible stupid question... I'm getting an uad Apollo twin interface, and I own a PreSonus studio channel pre. Does it make sense to use them together?
Do you like the single fader controller opposed to the 8 channel?
ayooooooooooo lollllllllll when you said you do it like this and put the interfaces together killed me i criedd so hard good stuff here
Nerd
@@chiefyovany572 yup proud one too 👌😂
Nice info and glad to see a fellow Christian and a fellow musician
That cleared up a lot!!!!
Off topic. What is a good amp to run the studio speakers. Home studio.
I bought an ART Tube MP/C with the intention of using it in a live band situation with my headset mic and having control over my level and compression from my location. I currently have its XLR out going to one of the MIC inputs on the PA mixer. Is this incorrect ? And is it the reason why I’ve been getting so much noise (even sometimes picking up a radio station) ?
How about a compressor with built in pre amp?
What about the use of preamp for field recording
If I use an XLR output from a preamp and go into the line level side of the interface with XLR does that stay line level or do I need to convert it to a 1/4"? thx!
i want one of this eureka. only one question, with a mic preamp i can obviate the mixer preamps?
Yup
I understand XLR cables are mono. Can I use a 5-pin XLR however as stereo?
Could I then find an TRS-to-5-pin-XLR adapter to make my signal stereo?
Sir if i use a 2inputs preamp interface such as steinberg ur22 and connect an external 8channel preamp to it..
Will i b able to use allthose 8channels togetherly ? Will it work?
No.
You should do stand up, so funny
hey there! can i connect on SSL2? not the + , only SSL2, thanks!
i have a focusrite 2i2 do i need a direct box?
Soo good video but I have the Behringer X32 mixer, How should I connect a mic preamp to it. Thanks buddy
See if it has line inputs
What if the interface only has mic/instrument inputs and no line inputs?
I actually have the Presonus Eureka and also have a UA Apollo Twin. How do I determined which outboard preamps are less than, equal to, or better than my preamps in my Apollo interface? For some reason I stopped using my Eureka and Aphex 207 because I assumed the Apollo would sound better with the stock preamps used with the free UAD 610 pre. What are your thoughts? Solid video love them all! Great voice btw. Thank you!
I have a presonus studio live mixer 24.4.2, I use it as an audio interface but for recording ( daw studio one 5 ) the gain is too small and the wavesform are thin. can I use PreSonus Studio Channel Mic Tube PreAmp to solve the problem, and can I cause noise when using it. thank you for the help
I’d like to run my electric guitar thru my SSL E-signature channel strip- so l’d like to run my guitar like this (if possible...):--
Guitar-> Line In SSL-> Out (XLR) SSL-> ??? WHERE into my RME FF800...?
Where to, and what cable to use for this connection? (I just don’t wanna damage the units..., or something else)
The RME has:- 8 Balanced Line In, 8 Out, One Instrument/Line, 4 Mic & 4 Line.... (connectivity speaking) Thank you.
I only have mic inputs which will run through my existing pre amps. Can I turn off the +48 fanton power? If I'm not mistaken you said you can still run through the interface preamp and set at unity gain...Correct? I'm still a little confused. Should I just get some kind of converter and eliminate the interface?
I like you, man. You made me laugh twice.
EXCELENT!!! THANK U VERY MUCH
Is there any loss of quality from connecting an external pre amp such as an Apollo interface into a studio live 32s mixer using this method? Or is the quality better directly recording from the Apollo via thunderbolt
Wait...so does my interface need line inputs or line outputs??? I just purchased a Apollo Twin interface and it doesn't have line inputs smh only outputs. Does this mean that i can't use a external micpre or compressor? Please help
Hey joe, quick question.
I have the same set up but im getting an adc converter. But does converter come in before the interface or after? Also my recording signal from the external preamp, does it still go to the interface line input or the converter’s?
Thanks
I’ve set up my extrrnal pre’s just like you did, but gain staging became more of a hassle. It seems I get better tone from my Focusrite 6I6 preamps. Any help out there?
What is the aversion to cutting out the error? Could have done that as fast as adding the goofy sound effects and self-deprecating slide.
🤷♂️
cool
I don't need an audio interface if I have pre amp?
How's that work if you have a sub in your chain Joe? 🤔
My question is how do I add multiple preamps like if I had them all in a rack. Do I just run another balanced xlr to the line in on the other preamp? how does the connection work?
same
Inserts
I traded an old school runescape account for two shelford channels and I feel bad when I bring it up since now I’m the new guy with two high end pre amps zz.
Where should I teak the knobs (line in, outputs, gain) on my pre amp and interface? I've been lost for a good solid 2 years
Wut?
So, how do we solve the issue of actually CONNECTING the 2 if you have an "output" on your "interface"????
Mic into the preamp ... preamp line level out into your line level input of your audio interface. The order is like this: preamp (mic) -> line level (mixer) -> power amp (speakers)
I just got the Avalon, which interface should I cop?
Haha. Wut?
One of the most common questions i get...
"Hey Joe, where you goin' with that mic in your hand"
This is super valuable advice Joe. Understanding what preamps were and that I already had these in my interface took me literally years to get my head around. Wish o had this video back then!
Hey Joe it's a year later and there's tons of new folks on the scene. You should definitely do an updated version of this video.. The whole input/output mistake made it seem like you were telling the viewers to actually use the output plugins and made the video kind of confusing because we still had to search for another video that didn't have that mistake. As somebody who clearly knows what he's talking about you should definitely have a video where you clearly guide folks to the correct input/output components. :) Cheers!
TL;DR: How to connect Ext. Preamp to Audio Interface
Mic > pre-amp mic input. Pre-amp line level output > audio interface line input (w/ balanced cable). USB/Firewire (etc) > Laptop.
Great video, thanks!
DAMN WAIT!!!! SO I BEEN RUNNING MY MICS WRONG? LOL. I have been going from my preamp to my interface MIC.
You have an amazing voice Brother Joe! I enjoy your posts.
Good stuff.
Nice when you find someone that just passes out some good info, without all the BS.
THANK YOU!
It kind of comes down to the "which is more important, the mic or the preamp?" argument. Well, it's a bit of both. A bad mic and a mediocre preamp will give you a bad sound, because the mic is like a camera lens. A good mic with a mediocre preamp is OK, because your source input is better. But a really good mic (lens) and a really good preamp (aperture) will be amazing, because you capture all the wonderful detail. This can also be bad, because it exposes the flaws of the performance, so all have to be right.
Using external preamps depends of interface you have. For example having latest ua apollo interface have so great preamps+simulations that makes external preamps pretty useless.
Bro!!! Not only do you explain your "How To" videos amazingly well.... but bro you can sing!! I just thougt you was an engineer! Good voice... and keep doing ya thing my brother. Thanks for the pre-amp tip.
Thanks brother
Hey Joe!! Do I need a pre-amp?
Hey Joe!! Whayu going with that gun in your hand?
Damn if this isn't the most personable and informative channel I've come across regarding home recording...thanks for your efforts!
Excellent and Informative! Thanks so much! Liked and Subbed!
Brilliant. Clear. Articulate. You’re a fine teacher, Joe. Thank you.
I've been a follower for quite some time, Joe, and wanted to thank you for all this amazing stuff you always put out! cheers!!!!
I would have re-done the INPUT/OUTPUT mistake section, as it can misinform people who didn't get the correction bit.
You may be right. But I did made the correction super obvious. 😂
Joe Gilder • Home Studio Corner plus it was funny.
@@HomeStudioCorner how was it obvious? i had to stop watching because everything you said after that was incorrect and moot. you kept talking about plugin in the preamp back into the inputs --- but they are outputs... so how tf would it even work.... what a terrible video......
AboveEmAllProduction Sorry to disappoint.
Dude, it's free content. Relax
This video was very helpful. This is the best and most simple explanation I have found. Thanks
The difference between someone that is trying to actual help others is humility. Refreshing, Thanks Joe.
Thank you so much. Your videos are always very helpful! Good communication skills too.🔥
great video dear Joe!!! one question. I have a Presonus 24.4.2 in my studio. And a Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56. Both Firewire connections. Can I daisy chain them?or I must buy a Presonus soundboard to add more chanels to my 24.4.2? Maybe you know the answer. I asked arround and nobody knows. Thankssss
Hey! What about summing back into the preamp? What lines should I use then to NOT bypass the internals? I’m thinking Line Out Interface To Mic In w/ attenuator. Let me know!
I already know what you’re going to say possibly.
But I found one of these for 100 and a Focusrite platinum track master pro for 140.
I’m teeter totering between the two. 😂🤣😂🤣 still doing research.
I really want the presonus studio live board to not even have to deal with all this gear. What’s your thoughts
Hello there! Nice video!
I play electronic drums hooked via midi(USB) to my macmini. I also have an SMSL SU8 DAC which is connected to the macmini via USB and an SMSL SP200 headphone amp connected with XLR to the DAC to drive my Beyer DT 1770s (250 ohm) heaphones. I'm very satisfied with the sound i'm getting but i was wondering if i could add a tube preamp to get even better richer and wider sound. I also plan to buy 2 alesis Strike 8 drum monitors in the future. Could you tell me how i should connect all these together in order to listen from both heaphones and monitors at the same time with a preamp included? Maybe you have a nice medium ranged price preamp to suggest?
The SMSL SU8 DAC can output sound from both XLR and RCA outputs at the same time.
Thank you!
Thanks SO MUCH for this useful information!!! I learnt so much!!!
Shout outs from Australia!
If I m not wrong Lot of preamps have xlr & quarter inch output . Anyway very nice your demonstration.
Perfect like black and white GOD bless you thank you for the explanation 👍
I don't know if you read your comments. But Ive just bought a focus rite 18i20 and I plan on also putting in a mic pre-amp before going to my audio interface. But could I also add a compressor and eq? Would this be over kill? Obviously I want my vocals to be as good as they can be
Hi Joe,
Thanks for kicking my butt every morning with your emails. I sincerely appreciate it.
I have the Eureka too! It's been sitting unused in my rack for years. I'll have to do something about that.
i've got an audiobox 1818 vsl . if i record my fender cyber twin my mic's wil be in 1 and 2 -> so it uses mic preamp. But that i wont use at night. Then i use the line out of the amp that are two xlr's I put them in 5 and 6 but if i understand you correctly the soundcard won't go in Line level mode then but wil use it preamps instead because i'm using xlr cables. Because i love to use my cyber twin as preamp for my bass guitar :P
I got some internal feedback within presonus studio channel and presonus studio192