Best microphone preamps according to redditors
We found 3 Reddit comments discussing the best microphone preamps. We ranked the 1 resulting product by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 3 Reddit comments discussing the best microphone preamps. We ranked the 1 resulting product by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
I'm kind of on a bender where I think the mic pre is everything, moreso than the mic. I read a review of the 1-channel ISA @ $500. new where a broadcast guy said that was the centerpiece of "his sound." I do not own any ISA or really have an agenda for one, but for a broadcast 1-mic rig, it seems like a useful item.
Your view of the interface is based in the rock-solid utility (I agree), but as far as determinants of what makes the sound, I think an ala carte mic pre can sort of fatten things up and make a "pro edge" if the OP wants to take it that far. Maybe do a RME for starters, but for a Step 2, consider an ala carte mic pre add-on. Of course the RME mic pre will be quite good, but to "fatten up" the sound?
disclaimer: I've never used an ISA, only read about them. But I think if you take a couple of differing mics and run them through different pre's, the sound of the pre is what becomes dominant moreso than the mic, at least when comparing pre's.
The 286s can drive the RE-20, but I had to push the gain up a lot higher than I'd like, not giving me the sort of wiggle room I'd prefer to have. Since the CL-1 does come out super clean, I've been really happy with the results.
I've been toying with the idea of switching to a Focusrite ISA One (super clean, very neutral, drives the RE-20 just fine), but that would set off an upgrade chain I'm just not ready to think about yet. Besides, I do like the color the 286s adds at the moment, so I'm in no rush.