Upgrade your mic preamp before upgrading your microphone
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Many people have asked me if they should upgrade their microphone. In some cases you should do that, but in other cases it may be necessary to upgrade you preamp before your microphone. In this video, I demonstrated how upgrading your preamp first can be beneficial. I go from using the Focusrite scarlett 2i2 to using an external preamp (Art StudioV3) to give a different characteristic to your vocal chain.
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Didn't need headphones to hear the difference thats a very good preamp for 100 bucks its got more warmth and body then i excepted he adjusted the peaks quite nicely. Very informative
Hello brother. Where do you get second hand equipment? That are tested.
Guitar Center is a place that stands behind their 2nd hand gear.
Are you supposed to have the "INST" button engaged for your mic?? I noticed that you do in the video & I don't think I've ever done/seen that. If so, man I feel like a dumbass now lmao. I thought that button was only for instruments you had plugged into the 1/4inch.
Just wanna throw this out there to anyone watching this video in 2022. The 2i2 (which I have, the 2nd generation) with a bluebird. Is garbage. The gain sucks. You have to damn near crank it up and yell into it (if you are using it to record gameplay like I am on youtube) I suggest getting one of these external preamps like he has shown and pluggin it into 2i2.
I had a garbo mic and thought that was what caused low volume recordings. It wasn't. It was the gain recording knob on 2i2. I done alot of research. You can either get the art tube or studio v3 or just get a cloud lifter. I suggest the art tube though. Replace the tube if you are taking it serious.
Simple and straight forward without discussing about random sh**, I like it. I am definitely looking forward to getting one of these tube amp. Thank you.
Appreciate your feedback and for watching!
You should turn off 48V on the inteface before you plug the preamp.
Why?
Maybe, but I'd imagine the first thing the phantom power would see is a capacitor rated at above 50V.
@@Realite58 because the external preamp will supply the 48V instead.
Absolutely not always, there several Dynamic mic at risk if you give It the Phantom Power, care ! ;-)
@@erkamau9629no. Only ribbon mic are damaged by 48v
Man when you started changing the voicing that had me sold ordering tomorrow 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿
Same 🔥🔥🔥
@@loissio481 man I’m on the waiting list to get one they sold out 🤦🏿♂️😂
@Zain Kamden it’s A1 I got one last month 💯🔥🔥
You’re dropping fire knowledge! Don’t forget to let your tubes warm up around 20-30min to get the full tube experience. Consider using a trs input on the 2i2 if using an external preamp. It’ll help bypass the focusrite preamps so that your preamp audio isn’t diminished. Kudos!
Appreciate your input!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
@@CLEANMUDVIDEOS pun super intended 🤪
But, is that a fact that TRS does this or just word on the street? Also, what about bypassing the preamp on something like a zoom recorder?
Wait, warmp up???
as this is a starved plate design the tubes does not really run hot as they would on a more expensive preamp design, so im not sure they really need time to warm up, or if they do its more like 30 sec then 30 minutes.
To bypass the Focusrite doesn't matter ts or tra jack, it needs to use line input of Focusrite, not the mic One.
a good mic has more impact on your sound than any preamp does but you need a decent preamp to begin with which the ART is at the bottom of the quality options. Spend your money on a better mic before a better preamp IMO, but do not trust cheap interface preamps on your quality mics
Didn't know you could use an external pre-amp in this way to by-pass the interface's pre-amp.
By the way I think there are more differences between 2i2 2nd gen amd 3rd gen than the Air button. I think there is more gain available and either the pre-amps or the converters (or both!) have been upgraded. Your test demonstrated how a different pre-amp could change or improve sound with the same microphone. It would have been interesting to see also how using an improved microphone withe the same interface would sound. The AT2020 is good but very affordable mic. Roughly $100? It would be interesting to see if changing the mic to a well chosen mic between $200-$300 on the same interface would have made a bigger improvement - than the improvement we saw in your test? Maybe you could do another video and carry out both tests? That would really inform your viewers which would be the best way to go. Thanks for your videos - I really like your presentation style...very friendly and down-to-earth with no showbiz-look-at-me BS!!
Nice! Thanks for your feedback! I do have a few videos showcasing the sound of different mics. Not sure if you meant testing all of those different mics on the same external preamp and interface? Also, this setup doesn’t fully bypass the interface’s preamp. Just adds a different flavor. I don’t think that we can fully bypass them on this unit.
Just a tip, when you plug an external preamp into the front inputs of your interface you're actually stacking the external preamp onto the internal preamp of the intetface as you're running the external preamp's signal into the intetface's onboard preamp so you're hearing the tone/sound of both preamps combined. If your interface has line inputs on the back of it that's where you'd want to plug your external preamp into to hear only the sound/tone of the external preamp not affected by the intetface's onboard preamp as most of the time those rear line inputs of the intetface do not go through and instead bypass the interface's onboard preamp and go straight to the intetface's analog to digital converter (A/D converter) so you don't get the tone coloring from the intetface's onboard preamp combined with the external preamp's sound, you'll just hear the pure sound/tone of the external preamp by plugging your external preamp into the line inputs on the back of the intetface (most of the time) . Unless you prefer the sound of both preamps stacked/combined or your only option is to plug into the front of the intetface then go for it! But be careful as I've heard you could damage some interfaces' onboard preamp by feeding them too much gain from the external preamp, don't know how true that is though but I wouid still be cautious with how much gain I would feed into those from inputs just in case.
Nice tip! In this video, my aim was just to give an option for adding some different tones to a limited setup. Possibly just getting some different characteristics to your current microphone. Very helpful tips though!
@@CLEANMUDVIDEOS thanks! yea i thought it was a great video!
@@thirfytash7286 Im pretty sure the interfaces pre amps are only active when using an XLR and since he used a quarter inch from the pre to the interface it took it in as a line input with no pre amp the same way the back panel line inputs work
@@Yumyoo_ cool to know, but I asked a service rep and he said only the back line inputs bypass the preamp, maybe for guitar reasons? I don't know if he really knew though tbh.
💪🏿
I'm fairly certain the line level input would be better than the instrument level input on the 2i2 end of the signal chain but great video nonetheless. Definitely earned a sub from me! My current setup is a Rode NT1 straight into a 2i2 3rd Gen and I am considering the DBX 286S or Golden Age Project Pre-73.
Why is my Studio v3 peaking? Light turning red suddenly which was not doing on previous sessions. After you started messing with it, I saw that it never clipped even though you dragged your output and +20db gain. My UV is going crazy when I record and it clips even without the 20db. Could you have any idea why is this?
My console gain is all the way down, I am controlling input/output through the pre-amp though
I wonder if it could be the tube going bad?
You have you go into the line input (the unbalanced jack where a guitar goes) to get thd Focusrite mic preamp out of the signal chain.
Appreciate that insight! 💯
With condenser mic like Rode NT1 do you suggest to use a preamp? I have already Focusrite USB with Phantom Button.
You really don’t need an external preamp. I made this video for people that are in search of a different flavor than the built in preamp inside of the interface
How can i reduce the noise? The preamps giving more noise to the sound
now i will buy preamp, i bought Rode Nt1 but not happy with my focusrite 6i6 (1st gen) result it need external preamp tp drive more out of it. thanks mate for the video ,
Finally someone who knows how to explain and knows what he's talking about, this review is extremely helpful for all of us who don't have that much money to buy thousands of dollars worth of pre-amp! Thanks for this great tutorial on how to connect another mic pre-amp to the Scarlett! Thanks man!
Appreciate you for taking the time to watch and for your feedback!
Bro how come you got no noise on there ?? I bought a used one and the noise floor is killing me
I didn’t do anything special. I’m wondering if it’s just the amount of gain I was using. 🤷🏾♂️
Really cool video bro and the tube preamp sounds amazing. Very impressive stuff
i like to get thing used at guitar center they let y get 1 to 3 years Pro Coverage
I have the same Scarlet 3rd Gen Interface, I've noticed there are also pre amp plugins out there. What's your opinion on those vs actual hardware? can you get away with the emulation of 1073 Preamp plugins for example? i really like the one in this video but i am now conflicted between the two, any advice is appreciated!
yes, of course. I myself amplify from the card (ssl2) before recording with slate digital preamplifier (virtual mix pack) and compress neold u17 - the sound that passed through this combination is laid down on the recording track reaper.
This duo gives so far the best sound for my needs for speaker recording. In general, digital amplifiers themselves are sometimes weak (for example, avalon), but in conjunction with u17 they reveal themselves.
Thank you for this. I was looking for videos to show what preamp's do as I could never hear the difference and this video explained it well for me. I appreciate you going through it thoroughly so that people like me can really hear the difference.
Most definitely! Glad I could help
WOW... This video was extremely helpful. No more cloudlifter for me. I'm buying one of those...
Can this pre amp give enough gain to Shure SM7B
Yes it can in if is connected how I showed in this video. The reason being is that you can use gain from the external preamp along with the interface’s preamp. So in other words, if the external preamp doesn’t supply enough gain, you can turn your interface’s gain up a bit to compensate. Hope this helps!
Ah thing is: those combo inputs on many audio interfaces do not bypass the built in preamp.
Make sure you’re using an audio interface that has dedicated line in’s or has a way to bypass the built in preamps, or your outboard preamp signal is just going to be attenuated, and then sent through the built in preamp in your interface.
I just learned this a while back and it was such an oh shit moment for me…
This is exactly what I needed to see as I've been hearing an external pre-amp can add a lot of shimmer/colour to vocals.I'm no rap fan but Thank You very much for making this vid for us guys not that familiar with this line of thinking cheers! I may go get a pre-amp now what a difference!
Thank you for showing me how to use this man I appreciate it 🤝🏼
The next step Will be the modding of the Art, changing first the tube with other 12ax7 or other PIN/voltage/size alternative as 12au7, 12ay7,...them substitute the two opamps with other ones equivalent, all this ti get lower noise and better colour. Anyone has already tried and tell us some models for both ones ?
Whoa thats a huge difference
Studio v3 is garbage. Noize is like a waterfall, just get yourself fethead or cloudlifter.
Buy local if yah can, support real local retailers. It costs a little more but the powers that be just spent two years heavily favoring Amazon.
Thank you good sir !
I see you have that ART Pro MPA to the left. I would spend a few hundred on that baby and you’ll find uses for it no matter how serious you get at recording. And if you have more money than you know what to do with, that Avalon 737 above it would be the bees knees.
Extremely helpful video man. I currently have the scarlet 2i2 and am wondering, once I have the studio v3, what cables am I unplugging from the Scarlett and plugging into the studio v3 to keep things running through the Scarlett still? Ie. what did you unplug from the Scarlett/run into the v3? Couldn’t quite catch it. Thanks so much if you’re able to help
Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Hopefully this video will explain how to connect it. ua-cam.com/video/nB0Igvx9G_o/v-deo.html
для репа 💥 пушка
пишу на микрофоне marshall mxl 990
через звуковуху m audio m fast track pro
Hello from Chicago, thanks! I have the same two units. Your demonstration was helpful. Wtg!
cool plzz do more with other external mic preamps?
Thanks Cleanmud for this video....I'm a novice at this so correct me if I'm wrong....You plug the mic into the Art Studio V3 and then you connect the V3 with the Scarlett interface ?
Correct
@@CLEANMUDVIDEOS Thanks mate...appreciated.
What Sapp brother make more video you need look the sennheiser mk4 super good mic for the price
I know this is last year but this information is highly informative today. One of the best clear simple tips for using an external preamp. I would love to know how to properly hook up my Golden age pre 73 correctly, cause there are quite few functions on there that I don't understand. But this is great video cause I just purchased one of these preamps.. thanks man!!
Depending on which golden age pre you have. For the 500 series you'll need a rack ofc and a female XLR to TRS cable. If it's the jr or whatever then just a regular TRS cable (both ends). Just ordered one myself, can't wait to try it out
Big difference. Definitely worth it.
I have an SSL 2 and an Akg P220. Still not gettn the desired results For my Vocals. I sing . Will adding this make a difference to my vocal ?
Thanks this is exactly the rundown I was looking for. Nice job!
A 12AX7 in these devices is sort of a gimmick. I spent about $35 for a good NOS 5751 off ebay and put it on my Art V3. Sounds great.
Is that a different tube?
defintely, save ax7s for us guitar players with our fender and vox tube amps.
*HOW IN FK ARE WE SUPPOSE TO TELL WTH THAT UNIT SOUNDS LIKE WITH YOU GOING, "CHECK, CHECK, CHECK, CHECK, CHECK, CHECK, CHECK, CHECK, CHECK...................................."*
😂 Honestly, if you know what you are listening for, you can hear it. One day when your ear gets better you’ll laugh with me. The goal of this video was to let you hear how the unit changes the characteristics of your voice and I said, “check” enough in each instance for you to hear the difference (if you know how to listen. Sorry that I didn’t take is slower for you lol 🤷🏾♂️
great video ik what to invest in next!
Awesome video! Thanks for sharing
Have you tried XLR output in that Art preamp ? By looking the specifications that output should work even better than the 1/4" output which is also unbalanced. Btw. I am using the "original" Art Tube MP preamp where I have to keep my output gain as low as possible to prevent tube humm. I think this Studio version may work better in home studio applications.
I haven’t tried that. Seems interesting
can i use Art Studio V3 with at2020 + soundcard UA25 ?
Seems like it’s possible and I believe that you would connect it like I showed in this video.
ua-cam.com/video/nB0Igvx9G_o/v-deo.html
That voicing option feels cheesy...
correct me if im wrong, the only difference is that the preamp made the mic louder, excluding the vocal change nob thing. didn't really enhance the vocals.
It actually changed the character of the sound. If you listen to the top/mids/low end you should hear the differences.
Snatched this preamp for a bargain after watching your video, never been happier. 🎉
Congratulations!
Hello my friend. Im so sorry for my bad english. I want ask you. How i can connect this Studio V3 in my Steinberg UR22C? I need use TRS cable? Or XLR?
Hopefully this helps! ua-cam.com/video/nB0Igvx9G_o/v-deo.htmlsi=76KsFZCArjFclAjL
So much more comprehensive than all the other videos I saw about preamps, keep it up...a year late....
Can you please tell me if I am doing it right ... First from my XLR mic to ART pre amp XLR (that would be the input). From the ART pre amp, how will I connect to Focusrite? My Focusrite is solo Gen 3 ...
Did you watch my video on how to connect the preamp?
Some reviews I been reading say that the VU meter does NOT work. Is this true? Or could it be they don't know what they are doing. I'm considering purchasing one one of these. Any information is greatly appreciated! Best regards!
Haven’t had that issue.
loved the apple joke XD those shits sucks
Nice. I love tube preamps❤
The preamp I use is the Warm audio WA12. It sounds great.
The mic preamp sounded like it gave more dept and headroom
I need a good cheap pair of studio headphones, what would you suggest
Did you ever find some?
Lol i have a steinberg ur22 that came with my first DAW. Im focused on the artist side of things so mainly concerned with upgrading the studio for vocals
If you want a more immediate breakup, turn down the input gain and raise the output gain. It can get really nice.
Nice! 👍🏾 💪🏾
Can you turn up the instrumental on the preamp
Hi I have question.
How it different inline preamp like fethead?
Thank you.
Bro what is happening here. Did you double stack preamps?
So is the xlr for mic into art? Then art, then to focusrite?
You will add distortion and noise in these dual vocal chain'.
Ever recorded it and peeped the noise levels?
The issue will only happen at higher recording levels.
3:41
6:57
i hav another doubt ,if i buy UAD apollo twin can it power Shure SM7B without any external preamp
It can but you’ll have to turn the gain up quite a bit.
Is the Avalon better than the studio v3
I am currently planning to get "FOCUSRITE SCARLETT OCTOPRE" and I would love to know is it possible to connect FOCUSRITE SCARLETT OCTOPRE to Scarlett 2i2.
I’m not sure on that. You’ll probably have to check their website for that answer
This is super true.
I bought a heritage audio 1073 eq wow! Huge difference in sound
What do you think about an ART Voice Channel ?
@@kenzorwings I own the art mpa mic pre to be honest my heritage audio blows it out the water ..
@@eancurtis9333 And about ART Tube MP Studio V3 vs the Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic500usb?
@@kenzorwings no idea dont own
@@eancurtis9333 Are you comparing an 800 USD, or more, piece of gear to the 99 USD Studio V3?
True! Most people don't realise how much of a difference each piece makes on their own to the signal. I picked up a 610 to go into my old apogee duet made a world of difference. Then I switched the duet to an apollo then the apollo to a Prism, then the 610 to an la610. Then added an SSL6.
AND ON AND ON TILL YOU DIE
@@rollowarlin8450 pretty much! :) Gear is is always improving but you will eventually find a sound that fits the work you love most and stick with that. I have settle on a 1073LB>SSLsix>Prism combination that works for me and the plus side of having pretty good gear to begin with meant that I didn't have to spend much money on trade/selling to change and the plus side is that I have a sound that works well with live minus computers if I don't want to use them.
Wait so I need to buy a preamp to go into my focus rite then record my music?!
you dont NEED it
It helps craft the sound but you dont NEED it. They help make your voice sound better, warmer of nore true to form depending on if its a solid state of tube preamp. I preffer rack mounted gear so I dont have alot of little boxes all over the place.
you need to do some homework before understanding vocal recording.
@@WOODNOX stfu bitch
It's recommended for a good sounding vocal :) or anything else you're recording from a mic, basically. Acoustic guitar etc.
Thank you very much. Cool review. One question ¿Can I use The Studio V3 as a guitar driver? If i plug in a guitar and set Up The input to a very high level ( distortion), Will The valve break Up, or get very hot or something? What is your opinion.
Thanks!
I’m not sure if it will or will not work. Sorry I can’t help on that.
I subscribed for this sauce. This is proof you don't need $10000 equipment.
💪🏾
Great video, thanks. I need to get one of these preamps
Superb, no nonsense video. 3rd time in a couple of years I've landed on it, and just subscribed!
Appreciate you watching and subscribing!
v3 is good ...pre amp for the price
How do I plug into my focus rite? And do I just run it to my DAW like normal thru my focus rite? No one else is teaching this! Smh
Hopefully this video will show you how to connect your external preamp. ua-cam.com/video/nB0Igvx9G_o/v-deo.html
Pretty damn good demo and tutorial man! I appreciate it and thanks.
Those who really understand that fixing your poor audio interface with lamp preamp is literally stupid, you know the truth. You put in it +$100 to clean noise, but do not increase the quality of the sound, because audio interface A/D converter is still poor. Those $100 would be better spent on better quality audio interface.
Ya momma is stupid! The purpose is to get a different sound. To get better sound that $100 interface upgrade will not cut it either. This is an option to get a different flavor from the original sound. You could’ve gave your opinion without making degrading comments.
@@CLEANMUDVIDEOS bruh, the only thing in your stupid setup is your cat apparently. If you sell your red color ficusrite and your useless one task oriented tube preamp, you could easily buy m-audio air series, that have better DAC, A/D converters, noise free powerful and clean preamps. So stfu and go forck your momma so she could buy you a better audio interface. You are as d.umb as you could get from the birth, npc influencer
Have you ever use the presonus firestudio mobile preamp?
I haven’t
Is possible to connect a microphone → preamp → soundbar speaker 2.1-channel (single input 3.5mm minijack)with power output of 170W ?
I’m not sure on that one 🤷🏾♂️
So my dude...... where the f*** have you been all my life. Your settings, description of settings and presentation was amazing. I made my AT2020 sound so much better. Thank you,
Glad that I could help! 😂😂
Wait so I need to buy a preamp to go into my focus rite then record my music?! I have a AT2020 & it sucks but I don’t have a preamp
@@MrSodaBelly the focus rite already has a preamp inside of it. This is if you want an external preamp
Esteban Pujol that’s not what I’m fucking asking
@@MrSodaBelly no, you don't have to..
Your voice reminds me of Forrest Gump, lol
😂 that’s a first, but 🤔🤷🏾♂️🤦🏽♂️😂😂
This tutorial is excellent, I took your advice after my fat-man preamp I'd had for 14 years finally died last week lol, saw this vid, brought this pre-amp and the results are amazing, total game changer, Thank you so much for making your info clear and also showing us how to use this preamp properly.🙌🏾
Glad that it helped you
Что ж, похоже я возьму этот преамп. Спасибо, твоё видео помогло!
Thanks for the advice man, had a lot of doubts about this equipment but not anymore
Thanks 🙏🏾
Hello! I want to buy an Presonus Studio Channel for my Audient id4. Do u think i need an di boxes to don't damage the audio interface? Or i can pass directly to the Pressonus into Mic/Line ?
You shouldn’t need a DI box
@@CLEANMUDVIDEOS Tnx a lot sir! All the best!
Saying check check check on the voicing was not very clear to let us know how the sound changed. It would have been good if you would just continue talking, maybe tell us what the voicing section is for or if there are any names so we could hear what it did to natural speech. Thanks.
Appreciate your input!
Thanks! What's the black 19 inch DBX unit underneath?
Dbx160a
@@CLEANMUDVIDEOS thanks man, would you recommend that more than the DBX 286s ?
very illustrate
Thanks that was pretty useful info. Interesting, if u get more tube distortion that doesnt affect the mic negatively right? I didn't know u could do that with a mic preamp that has a tube. Its like tube guitar amps, driving the tube hard gives the guitars great distortion. That would be a useful trick for vocal distortion affect on a rock song, that is, if it is safe for the mic. Does using the tube pre amp help with raising mic loudness without adding extra mic self noise?
Hey There it doesn’t affect the mic negatively. Sometimes the vocal distortion is useful. You just have to know that’s the sound you want, because once you record into your project, it’s going to stay like that in your project. That’s why most ppl add the distortion in post processing. And yes, using a preamp is supposed to give you a clean source of gain. If the mic already have a high self noise, it will more than likely only amplify the issue. Hope this helps!
my ART Studio V3 makes a hissing noise, can somebody help and explain why please?
I’m wondering if it’s a problem with the tube. I’ve had a hissing noise in my tube mics before and it ended up being the tube went bad on me
@@CLEANMUDVIDEOS I just returned it and requested a replacement, on the way right now. I was reading some forums and a few people have said they've gotten a bad batch, could be that as well. I was looking into some tubes because i want to switch out the one it comes with, good ones are pricey going to have to wait on that for a bit. thank you for responding though!
So the preamp does give a better quality sound than the interface ? Im thinking about buying this amp 💯
Yeah it gives a different vibe
@@CLEANMUDVIDEOS thanks man 💪🏽💯
great video! thanks!
Thank you very much for playing with the settings and giving some advice in this demo. I have that preamp and struggle finding the right balance in recording.