recording vocals straight into the mpc

i recorded vocals through a dynamic microphone straight in the analog record in. then i used normalize, because the mpc doesnt have a mic preamp.

then i recorded the same vocals but i used my emu 0404 audio interface as a mic preamp, then used normalize.


the volume was the same in the two circumstances, but without the emu as an amplifier, there was much more hiss. i think the only thing a mic preamp is actually "pre-normalizing" the volume, so i expected to get exactly the same recording quality.

why does this happen? the mpc input electronics are inferior compared to the emu's?

the record ins on the mpc are line level. this is why you can sample your cd players, tv ect. into it.

a mic pre boosts the signal of the microphone to line level so you can have adequate recording level.
if you dont use a mic pre, i imagine you would have to crank up the gain alot to even hear the signal, thats probably why you got the hiss.

normalization is hard to explain and i cant explain it that well myself but read the wiki article about it here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_normalization

the mic pre isnt really "pre-normalizing" the volume per say (although you cold sort of think of it like this) it is actually just raising the voltage so that a signal can be recorded in an optimal signal path.

****** and right before i posted this i saw that you said your mpc had a mic input; which mpc are you using?? my 2500 only has line inputs.

If I'm not mistaken, I don't think any MPC model has a mic input.

The 5000 does.

CoinOP! wrote:The 5000 does.

Oh, does it? Thanks for the heads up.

thanks for the answers. i'm using the mpc 2500, no dedicated mic inputs, just analog record in and then normalize.

yes, you cant hear your voice while recording, but i was not expecting this to happen, i would never do a serious recording on the mpc, im just experimenting.

i was just curious why you get the same volume but more hiss when you "mic -> record in -> normalize" than when you "mic -> preamp -> record in -> normalize".

(sorry for my poor english)

Google the concept Noise Floor in Audio Recording and Mic preamp.
Noise in your chain/envitoment is what you hear in the first signal.