pre-amp with an mpc 500

morning.

well i tried a microphone i got with my mpc500 yesterday (didn't sing/rap any xmas carols) and as expected - even with the rec gain at maximum level, it was just too quiet.
I didn't expect to sound like Placido Domingo, but I was surprised it was so quiet as the 'recording level bars' were at maximum.
So my quick question is - can anyone recommend a portable pre-amp for a mic between an mpc 500 ? Something battery powered that can fit in between the chain of mic and mpc and not a big box of tricks. I guess I could buy another microphone but would really prefer to keep this one.

thanks

Mark

Is the mic a condenser? (needs phantom/external power)
Does it have an XLR (three pins) or a 1/4 (guitar cord/MPC input) connection?

Or, even more helpful, what type of mic is it, specifically?

Try pressing the button inbetween the two input jacks that switches from line to mic and see if that helps. Find the best sounding one/loudest one, then from trim mode use normalize, or in effects mode use the compressor to louden the quiet parts/boost the whole volume (you can resample, too, to save effects slots)

If it's an XLR connection that needs phantom power, then you need anything that has phantom power/+48v - you can get a variety of things that have this for the cheap, they all have specialties - you can get a small mixing board that does it, and take advantage of having the mixing board, too - you can get a soundcard that has it, and take advantage of it's features. etc...

If it's a 1/4 connection (like a guitar cable) and doesn't need phantom power, try switching from line to mic like I suggested - and/or get a DJ mixer ("cross-fader") that has a "mic input" (DJ-Mixers have mic inputs for mics like these, not the XLR ones) and use that as your pre-amp.

If it needs phantom power, it can't be portable, as far as I know.

ssnedden, thanks very much - will have a look into this. it has a 1/4 i.e. mpc connection.

Mark.

no problem.

If you don't have a DJ mixer, I suggest buying one with a mic input and channel. Not only will it help your problem, you'll have a DJ mixer/cross-fader.

You are aware that by default
when you sample something into the MPC 500
and then go play that pad
the machine makes that pad at like 70 percent level
if you select that pad in program and goto level
you can then boost it up to be 100
it will be at the level it was recorded
I do not think getting a preamp is a bad Idea
You could just get a DI box and that should do the trick
But make sure you raise the level of the pad to 100
that might be fine for you

thanks very much for that - I hadnt thought of that at all !!

cheers