Question from a relative newbie (love these shorts). How big a difference does an external mic pre such as the examples mentioned here make compared to the ones in a Scarlett Focusrite? This is probably a ‘how long is a piece of string’ type question, but I’m just wondering how much of a difference it would make relative to the cost, for someone who’s on a budget. E.g. If all you have is a Rode NT1-A, is it better to save up for a super-duper pre or get a super-duper mic?
They're radically different. The Scarlett works, it's clean, and relatively accurate but that's as far as it goes. External mic preamps like Neve and API can be used to completely sculpt the sound in a completely different way. You can use them to add a bit of compression by driving them. They add harmonic distortion which is a pleasing sound. You can drive the input gain and use the output trim/gain to stop it from distorting your interface input/converters.
IMHO getting a better microphone could be more beneficial than getting a mic pre in your specific situation. Depending what you are doing. If it's vocals and acoustic guitar, you already have a serviceable and clean mic preamplifier stage in the focusrite interface. The NT1-A is OK for a starter mic, but you'd hear a big difference in a higher price range mic like a Neumann TLM-103, or even something cheaper like an Audio Technica 4050, or a Lewitt 440.
Can you tell my why my mix sound muddy on one pair on headphones 80ohm and clean on same headphones but 250ohm. But reference sound clean on both. Im using slate vsx and compare in room and headphones emulations
Yeah, the 250ohm headphones take more energy to produce the audio, and low end requires a lot more energy to produce a sound in a speaker. Low end on 250ohm takes way more energy than on 80ohm. The low frequency that's present in your mix isn't showing up on them, because your headphone amp cannot drive them enough. The 80ohm takes less energy to drive, and they're showing the excessive lows and low mids that are making your mix muddy. Your reference mix doesn't have a buildup of those frequencies so it's going to sound clean on both sets of headphones.
I forgot to mention the fix: You need a stronger standalone headphone amp. It doesn't have to be expensive. You're probably using the one in your audio interface, and those are okay but not great.
@@legacyShredder1 amazing explanation. Thanx. But if i cant buy betrer headphone amp right now is it possible that i make make adjusments ( clean) on 80ohm headphones. And another room emulations. Will it then be translated to other systems as well?
@@kdmuc what Legacy says is correct. It sounds as if you need to roll off the low end on everything except the kick drum and bass. Sound is like a jigsaw puzzle - you cant just let it all overlap as it ruins the picture.
Agreed. Also aux IMHO.
oof, beginners usually don't have a thousand dollars to drop on one preamp
external distortion pedal
Question from a relative newbie (love these shorts). How big a difference does an external mic pre such as the examples mentioned here make compared to the ones in a Scarlett Focusrite? This is probably a ‘how long is a piece of string’ type question, but I’m just wondering how much of a difference it would make relative to the cost, for someone who’s on a budget. E.g. If all you have is a Rode NT1-A, is it better to save up for a super-duper pre or get a super-duper mic?
Big difference.
They're radically different. The Scarlett works, it's clean, and relatively accurate but that's as far as it goes.
External mic preamps like Neve and API can be used to completely sculpt the sound in a completely different way. You can use them to add a bit of compression by driving them. They add harmonic distortion which is a pleasing sound. You can drive the input gain and use the output trim/gain to stop it from distorting your interface input/converters.
IMHO getting a better microphone could be more beneficial than getting a mic pre in your specific situation. Depending what you are doing. If it's vocals and acoustic guitar, you already have a serviceable and clean mic preamplifier stage in the focusrite interface. The NT1-A is OK for a starter mic, but you'd hear a big difference in a higher price range mic like a Neumann TLM-103, or even something cheaper like an Audio Technica 4050, or a Lewitt 440.
don’t listen to the responses. blind testing doesn’t support mic pres making much of a difference
@@whatskraken3886 lol that is the dumbest comment ever. Comparing Scarlett pres to Neve or API is like dollar store crap vs handmade.
Can you tell my why my mix sound muddy on one pair on headphones 80ohm and clean on same headphones but 250ohm. But reference sound clean on both. Im using slate vsx and compare in room and headphones emulations
Yeah, the 250ohm headphones take more energy to produce the audio, and low end requires a lot more energy to produce a sound in a speaker. Low end on 250ohm takes way more energy than on 80ohm. The low frequency that's present in your mix isn't showing up on them, because your headphone amp cannot drive them enough.
The 80ohm takes less energy to drive, and they're showing the excessive lows and low mids that are making your mix muddy.
Your reference mix doesn't have a buildup of those frequencies so it's going to sound clean on both sets of headphones.
I forgot to mention the fix: You need a stronger standalone headphone amp. It doesn't have to be expensive. You're probably using the one in your audio interface, and those are okay but not great.
@@legacyShredder1 amazing explanation. Thanx. But if i cant buy betrer headphone amp right now is it possible that i make make adjusments ( clean) on 80ohm headphones. And another room emulations. Will it then be translated to other systems as well?
@@kdmuc The 80ohm are revealing the mud in the mix, so they're good for you to mix on.
@@kdmuc what Legacy says is correct. It sounds as if you need to roll off the low end on everything except the kick drum and bass. Sound is like a jigsaw puzzle - you cant just let it all overlap as it ruins the picture.
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Low dose of xanax OH, we're talking music gear