PreAmps When recording synths

I know its necessary for a preAmp when recording vocals but how about your synths/keyboard

Will A PreAmp Improve the your instrument recordings?

I would try it out myself but i dont own a preAmp.

In order to connect a preamp to a synth. You need to use a DI box(DIRECT BOX), or check if your preamp/mixer has a DI connection. Preamps will only color the signal. The better the preamp the better the sound, each preamp adds there own color. For example, a API preamp will add more punch to the low end. A Neve pre has a thicker sound. Not all preamps sound good on synths, drums, guitars, etc. Some work better on vocals. You can also use a preamp for more warmth or for more body. Remember!!! A shytty preamp will give u a shytty sound.

Yeah, but a s hitty pre can actually do wonders for drum samples, guitars, and some synth patches....don't be afraid to experiment...

get a sh*t preAmp and make great tracks/songs, no one will know! heck use the input on your MP.

cmeproductions wrote:I know its necessary for a preAmp when recording vocals but how about your synths/keyboard

Will A PreAmp Improve the your instrument recordings?

I would try it out myself but i dont own a preAmp.

is it necessary, no.


will it help your recordings...yes. different preamps will color your signal in different ways. the key is knowing which pre will do what and what serves your needs best. if you're only going to have one pre, make sure its stereo and high quality.

do any of u run ur synths/keyboard patches thru a preamp before goin into some like pro tools or w/e daw u may use

yea, i run stuff through a Radial JDI, then through a Neve 1073

do you run stuff through these boxes at line level?

nah, thats what the DI is for-to convert line level keyboard signals to mic level signals.

I have my mpc, and about 5 other synths all hooked up to my alesis multimix. I record directly into Sonar but even after alot of mixing my tracks still feel bare. Do I need a pre-amp or some other module to help fatten up my sound, and bring fullness to my mix?

i run my synths into a home built DI box, and then into a home built JLM Audio baby animal pre amp. sounds way better than straight into the mpc.

but if i didn't know how to make these things i don't think i'd pay the money it costs for a quality pre amp.
would a mixing desk do the job and be more usfeul?

jmac01 wrote:I have my mpc, and about 5 other synths all hooked up to my alesis multimix. I record directly into Sonar but even after alot of mixing my tracks still feel bare. Do I need a pre-amp or some other module to help fatten up my sound, and bring fullness to my mix?

a pre-amp definetly isnt nessisary, but it can add color and texture to the sound, but a good pre can cost thousands of dollars, i would just stick with stepping my mix game up if i were you, maybe invest in some plug ins, or some books and read up about mixing techniques.

check out the book "mixing with your mind"

I agree, but I will say that using a high quality pre can make mixes come together so much easier and faster. Its hard to describe, but I find that I use a LOT less plugins on a mix if i have tracked each track thru a nice preamp.

hi,

i use a presonus m80 with my mpc, but never try to put a di between the two...

How do you like that M80? every once in a while I think about picking one of those up.