Microphone Preamps
BAE Audio 1023 3-Band EQ, with Power Supply, Rackmount
- Completely Hand-Wired
- Carnhill (St. Ives) Transformers
- Up to 80 dB of Gain
- High Pass Filter
API AUDIO 3124MV 4-Channel Microphone Preamp with Stereo Mixer
- 4 Channels of Classic API Mic Pre
- Stereo Mixer with Aux Send and Return
- Stereo Master Pan Control
- Up to 65 dB of Clean Gain
BAE Audio 1028 3-Band EQ Module
- Completely Hand-Wired
- Carnhill (St. Ives) Transformers
- Up to 80 dB of Gain
- High Pass Filter
BAE Audio 1084 Mic Pre/EQ 19" Rack, with Power Supply
- Completely Hand-Wired
- Carnhill (St. Ives) Transformers
- Up to 80 dB of Gain
- High Pass Filter
Avalon Design VT-737SP - Channel Strip
- Single Channel
- Microphone Preamp
- Instrument DI
- Line Input
BAE Audio 1028 3-Band EQ, No Power Supply, Rackmount
- Completely Hand-Wired
- Carnhill (St. Ives) Transformers
- Up to 80 dB of Gain
- High Pass Filter
HAZELRIGG INDUSTRIES VLC Vacuum Tube Microphone Preamplifier / DI / EQ Line Processor
- For Professional Recording Environments
- 2 RU Rack-Mountable
- Combination Audio Processing Unit
- Transformer Coupled Input and Output
HAZELRIGG INDUSTRIES VDP Dual-Channel Tube Preamp and DI
- All-Tube Signal Path Design
- Transformer-Coupled I/O Stages
- +63 dB Gain with High Headroom
- Front-Panel Mic and DI Inputs
Grace Design m108 8-Channel Remote-Controlled Mic Preamplifier / ADC
- 8-Channel Preamp & ADC
- Mic & Hi-Z Inputs
- Gain Range of -8 to 74 dB
- Transformerless Preamp Design
Heritage Audio Súper 8 8-Channel Microphone Preamp with Premium 24-Bit 192 kHz ADC
- Class-A 73-Style Microphone Preamp
- Input and Output Carnhill Transformers
- 48V Phantom Power
- Mic/Line Switch + Phase Invert
BAE Audio 1028 3-Band EQ, with Power Supply, Rackmount
- Completely Hand-Wired
- Carnhill (St. Ives) Transformers
- Up to 80 dB of Gain
- High Pass Filter
BAE Audio 1032 4-Band Mic/Line Preamp Module (Module Only)
- 80 dB Class-A Microphone/Line Preamp
- Up to 80 dB of Gain
- Inspired by the 1081 EQ Points
- Class-A Transformer-Coupled Design
BAE Audio 1032 4-Band Mic/Line Preamp Module (19" Rackmount Version, No Power Supply)
- 80 dB Class-A Microphone/Line Preamp
- Up to 80 dB of Gain
- Inspired by the 1081 EQ Points
- Class-A Transformer-Coupled Design
Millennia HV-316 8-Channel Remote Control Microphone Preamplifier with Dante
- 8 Channels of Pristine Audio
- Dynamically Uniform HV-3 Mic Preamps
- Dante Audio Networking, DB25 Analog I/O
- Parallel A/D Conversion up to 192 kHz
Grace Design m108 8-Channel Remote-Controlled Mic Preamplifier / ADC with Control Room Output Upgrade Card Kit
- 8-Channel Preamp & ADC + CR Output Card
- Mic and Hi-Z Inputs
- Gain Range of -8 to 74 dB
- Transformerless Preamp Design
Cranborne Audio 500R8 USB Audio Interface and 8-Slot 500 Series Rack Chassis Kit
- 28-In / 30-Out USB 2.0 Audio Interface
- 8 High-Current 500 Series Module Slots
- Up to 192 kHz Sampling
- Monitor Controller and 8x2 Summing Mixer
BAE Audio 1032 4-Band Mic/Line Preamp Module (19" Rackmount Version, With Power Supply)
- 80 dB Class-A Microphone/Line Preamp
- Up to 80 dB of Gain
- Inspired by the 1081 EQ Points
- Class-A Transformer-Coupled Design
Grace Design m108 8-Channel Microphone Preamplifier / ADC with DigiLink Card
- 8-Channel Mic/Line Preamp and ADC
- Mic and Hi-Z Inputs, DB25 Analog Output
- Gain Range of -8 to 74 dB
- Transformerless Preamp Design
Grace Design m108 8-Channel Remote-Controlled Mic Preamplifier / ADC with DigiLink Upgrade Card Kit
- 8-Channel Preamp & ADC + DigiLink Card
- Mic and Hi-Z Inputs
- Gain Range of -8 to 74 dB
- Transformerless Preamp Design
Grace Design m801mk2 Rackmount 8-Channel Microphone Preamplifier
- 8 x Balanced XLR Microphone Inputs
- Up to 64 dB of Gain in Default Mode
- Up to 74 dB of Gain in Ribbon Mode
- 24-Position, Gold-Contact Gain Controls
Trident Audio A-Range Dual Channel Strip with Preamp and 4-Band EQ
- 2x Mic, Instrument, or Line-Level Inputs
- Up to 60 dB of Gain
- Input & Output Attenuators
- Discrete Circuitry
Grace Design m108 8-Channel Microphone Preamplifier / ADC with Dante Card
- 8-Channel Mic/Line Preamp and ADC
- Mic and Hi-Z Inputs, DB25 Analog Output
- Gain Range of -8 to 74 dB
- Transformerless Preamp Design
SPL Crescendo-8 Eight-Channel Microphone Preamplifier (Black)
- 8 x Mic Inputs
- 120V Rails for Low Noise / High Headroom
- 8 x Gain Knobs
- Phantom Power, Pad & Polarity Switches
Whitestone Audio Instruments P331 Tube Loading Amplifier
- For Tracking, Mixing, and Mastering
- Digitally Controlled Analog Precision
- Premium Class-A Analog Circuitry
- Dual 6SN7GT Vacuum Tubes
Whitestone Audio Instruments P331-EVL Tube Loading Amplifier
- For Tracking, Mixing, and Mastering
- Digitally Controlled Analog Precision
- Premium Class-A Analog Circuitry
- XFORMER Section for Dense Saturation
Millennia HV-316 16-Channel Remote Control Microphone Preamplifier with Dante
- 16 Channels of Pristine Audio
- Dynamically Uniform HV-3 Mic Preamps
- Dante Audio Networking, DB25 Analog I/O
- Parallel A/D Conversion up to 192 kHz
Rupert Neve Designs RMP-D8 8-Channel Dante Microphone Preamplifier
- 8 x XLR-1/4" Mic/Line Inputs
- Up to 60 dB of Gain in 1 dB Increments
- Class-A Preamps & Custom Transformers
- Premium 24-Bit/192 kHz Converters
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.