Microphone Preamps
Grace Design m101 - Microphone Preamp
RDL STM-2 Adjustable-Gain Microphone Preamplifier
- Commercial Sound, Broadcast, Recording.
- Mic Input to 2 Line Outputs
- Low-Noise Mic Preamp
- Gain Adjustment: 35 to 65 dB
Rolls DU30b Audio Ducker with Microphone Preamp
- For Small Clubs/Restaurants/Stores
- For Voice Paging over Backgrounds
- Easy to Use
- 2 RCA Inputs for Music
Polsen MP60 Microphone Preamp
- For Recording, Streaming, Performance
- Compact Single-Channel Microphone Preamp
- Provides up to 60 dB of Clean Gain
- 48V Phantom Power Button for Mics
Rolls MP13 Mini-Mic Preamp
- Single-Channel Design
- 3.5mm and XLR Inputs
- 1/4" and XLR Outputs
- Single Gain Control with Clip Indicator
RDL STM-1 Microphone Preamplifier
- High or Low Impedance Input Mic Preamp
- Fixed 50 dB Gain for Consistency
- Balanced or Unbalanced Output
- +24V Phantom Power
Rolls MP213 Two-Channel Microphone Preamp
- Two-Channel Design
- 3.5mm and XLR Inputs
- 3.5mm and XLR Outputs
- Dual Gain Controls with Clip Indicators
ART Tube MP Studio V3 Microphone Tube Preamplifier
- Tube Preamp for Mics, Instruments, Line
- 12AX7a Tube for 70 dB of Gain, Fat Sound
- OPL: Output Protection Limiting
- V3 Variable Valve Voicing
Behringer ULTRAGAIN ADA8200 High-Quality 8x8 ADAT Audio Interface with Midas Mic Preamps
- 8 Channels of AD and DA Conversion
- 8 Midas-Designed Microphone Preamps
- Cirrus Logic 24-Bit Converters
- 48 and 44.1 kHz Sample Rate
Icon Pro Audio UFO Tube Microphone Preamplifier
- Class-A Discrete Tube Preamp for Mics
- Tool-Free Modular, Swappable Tubes
- Clean, Modern, Vintage, and Warm Tubes
- Up to 68 dB of Low-Noise Gain
Heritage Audio Lang 312L 500 Series Microphone Preamp
- New York-Style Mic Pre
- Powerful and Classic American Rock Sound
- Up to 90 dB of Gain
- Ideal for Ribbon and Vintage Mics
Eventide MixingLink Microphone Preamp with Effects Loop
- Switchable FX Loop
- Latching or Momentary Control
- 3 Modes of FX Mix Control
- 70dB of Gain
Black Lion Audio Auteur mkIII 2-Channel Mic Preamp and DI
- Two Balanced XLR Microphone Inputs
- Two 1/4" Hi-Z Instrument/Line Inputs
- Two 1/4" TRS Balanced Output Jacks
- 62 dB of Gain, 48V Phantom Power
Warm Audio WA12 MKII Single-Channel Preamplifier (Black)
- Mic, Instrument, and Line Inputs
- Up to 71 dB of Gain
- Warm-Sounding, Replaceable Opamps
- CineMag USA Transformers
Golden Age Project Pre-73 Premier Single-Channel Microphone Preamplifier
- Mic, Instrument & Line Inputs
- Up to 80 dB of 1073-Style Gain
- Output Level Control and -14 dB Pad
- Selectable High-Pass Filter
ART Pro MPA III Multivoice Tube Preamplifier
- Two-Channel Preamp
- Voice Switch: Tube or Solid State
- Character Switch: Enhances Lows & Highs
- Increaser Variable Impedance Range
Heritage Audio HA 73 Single-Channel Elite Series Microphone Preamplifier
- Occupies 1 RU
- 3-Stage Discrete Class-A Preamp
- Hand-Wound Carnhill Transformers
- Mic, Instrument, and Line Inputs
Golden Age Project PRE-73 DLX PREMIER Single Channel 73-Style Mic Pre
- Mic, Instrument, and Line Inputs
- Up to 80 dB of Input Gain on Mic Path
- Warm, Sweet, Punchy Tone
- Selectable Air Band
Warm Audio TB12 Tone Beast Microphone Preamplifier (Black)
- Mic, Instrument & Line Inputs
- Up to 71 dB of Gain
- Output Gain Attenuator
- Switchable Discrete Op-Amp
Focusrite ISA One Portable Desktop Microphone Preamp
AEA Ribbon Mics RPQ503 500 Series Ribbon Preamp and EQ
- 85 dB of Clean, Transparent Gain
- Single-Slot 500 Series Module
- Ideal for Passive Ribbon Mics
- Ultra-High 68 Kilohms Input Impedance
Rupert Neve Designs Portico 511 Mic Preamp
- Single Channel
- Red Silk Circuit Adds Texture
- Variable High-Pass Filter
- Trim and Gain Knobs
Black Lion Audio Auteur Quad2 4-Channel Microphone Preamp
- Mic/Line/DI Preamp for Studios
- American-Style Input, British-Style Out
- US-Made Cinemag Output Transformers
- Four XLR Mic and 1/4" Hi-Z Inputs
Chandler Limited TG2-500 Preamplifier
- For 500-Series Racks
- Discrete, Transistor & Transformer
- Balanced I/O
- Switchable 48V Phantom Power
Solid State Logic PURE DRIVE QUAD 4-Channel Preamplifier
- 4 SuperAnalog PureDrive Mic Preamps
- Up to 192 kHz / 32-Bit Conversion
- Up to +65 dB of Stepped Gain Control
- 31-Step Trim Control
AEA Ribbon Mics RPQ3 2-Channel Microphone Preamp with EQ
- Balanced XLR Mic Inputs
- Up to 85 dB of Clean JFET Gain
- 2-Band Parametric CurveShaper EQ
- Output Level Control
Avid Pro Tools | Carbon Pre AVB Audio Interface
- Expand Carbon System with 24 I/O
- AC Power / 2 AVB Ethernet Ports
- 8 Mic/Line/Hi-Z Preamps
- 8 Analog Line Out
Microphone Preamps (XLR Preamplifiers)
Microphone preamps use special circuits to amplify low signal levels up to the standard operating level of your recording equipment. Preamps prepare your microphone signal for processing by various recording devices. Many computer audio interfaces and systems have internalized preamplifier circuits, but you can also use a dedicated external preamp. Microphone signals are usually below nominal operating levels, so mics benefit considerably from the added gain provided by preamps.
Benefits of Using a Microphone Preamp
A dedicated external microphone preamp can boost the sound quality of your recordings considerably. You can add high levels of gain while maintaining crystal clear sound. Preamps can reduce noise levels, helping you achieve a clean, professional sound. Depending on the type of preamp you choose, you can customize the sound of your vocal recording if you need vintage or distorted sound.
Types of Microphone Preamps
Before deciding on your mic preamp take a look at the different types available, to ensure you choose the right one for your needs.
Stereo Tube Preamps
Tube preamps feature glass tubes, and use transformers to help voltage drive your sound. They offer a richer midrange, greater texture, and excellent realism.
Solid-State Preamps
Solid-state preamps use transistors to boost your mic signal to a voltage level that your amps can magnify, offering greater detail and faster sound.
Multichannel Preamps
While single and dual-channel preamps are ideal for recording with one or two mics at a time, multichannel preamps are necessary if you're building a professional studio, as they enable you to record with many mics at the same time.
Using Preamps for Instruments
You can use preamps for a variety of musical instruments. Guitar preamps often take the form of pedals, and can be used to achieve different EQ points and adjust your pre-gain tone. Using a preamp pedal also provides you with consistency if you switch guitars or travel from venue to venue.
If you like to play vinyl records, you can also use a preamp to significantly boost the sound quality of your turntable. Turntable preamps can increase sound levels for a more accurate and detailed representation of your favorite music.
B&H Photo and Video has you covered for microphone preamps and other pro audio equipment.