A couple days ago, I installed an M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 PCI card in my PC. When I attempted to plug my mic into the back of it, though, it barely gave me any sound.

So it seems like I need a preamp of some sort to get my mic to work properly. I know M-Audio has a preamp, the Audio Buddy, which is within my $100-or-so price range, but I'd like to know what other options are out there.

Any suggestions?

-David
Last edited by Permanent4 on Mon May 31, 2004 11:52 am; edited 1 time in total

I have the Audiohile and use my old Boss BR8 multitracker as a pre-amp. You may be able to pick one up cheap secondhand.

The bonus is that the BR8 has built in FX for vocal and guitar/bass which may come in useful. Even has a very basic preset rhythm unit too.

TUBEPRE
Presonus ( i think ) 165 € 1 channel (tube system)
You have gain ,drive and a couple of very useful parameters.
I bought it in January and I'm really happy.
I use it only for acoustic guitar (My MATON
Screams!!) but i think that it gives best performance on bass guitar.

For $100? Somehow I doubt that. Besides, I don't have enough space on my PC desk to fit something that big.

-David

These days everything Ive got which lives 'outside' the computer goes through my VTB-1.

(Edit - forgot link)
http://www.studioprojectsusa.com/vtb1.html

I'll second that. I'm still thorougly enamored of my VTB-1.

Some info.. it's a one-channel mic preamp and direct box which combines a fully discrete solid-state preamp with a lovely tube blend circuit (which can be fully bypassed). It has a built-in high pass filter, phantom power, XLR or 1/4" inputs, and impedance matching... cost is around $130.

Um, what else... oh, it sounds terrific!

-Garret

A vote here for the audio buddy - I'm well cuffed with mine. And I won this months contest with a track featuring guitars recorded through it.
What higher praise could there possibly be

I bought this one a year ago, i'm really satisfied with it, nice warm sound. Nice compact size.
Also very usable for plug in your guitar. and ofcourse phantom switch and 20db switch

www.artroch.com
the MP is the one you need, cost me around 110 euro

Tube MP: The World’s Most Popular External Tube Mic Preamp. Whether you’re working with a computer, hard disk or digital multi-track recorder, the Tube MP’s TEC award nominated design will allow you to obtain professional results at an affordable price. ART preamps offer warm tone, useful features, and are innovatively designed. Our line of Tube MP products add presence, clarity and fullness to any signal, and is exceptionally low-noise. Our Tube MP Studio V3™ features V3™ Technology (Variable Valve Voicing), which provides optimized reference points to begin the recording process. V3™ delivers a wide variety of settings designed for various microphones and DI inputs, including guitars, basses, keyboards, synths, electronic drums and much more. Don't settle for a copy-cat lookalike. Go with the real thing - the Tube MP by ART!

good luck

I also like very much my VTB-1...
This is the only external preamp i've ever had... I can only say it sounds 1000 times better than my old behringer MX802 build in preamp...

So that's three for the VTB-1 and one for the Audio Buddy. I'm still leaning toward Audio Buddy, though, because it's cheaper -- bit of a necessity right now, I'm afraid -- and I have no idea where I would put the VTB on my desk...

-David, who'll probably make a purchase tonight.

The VTB's not that big actually, its only about the width of my Tower case...

look at the M-Audio DMP-3 as well

not a lot more money than Audio Buddy, and much quieter and much more definition on the highs

I know, I traded in a brand new Audio Buddy (that I was pretty disappointed with) for the DMP-3. On cymbals in particular you can hear the difference.


Still, AudioBuddy is a very good deal for the super low price they sell it at

What I like about the audio buddy is that I can leave my electric guitar plugged into channel one and my microphone into channel 2. Then I just select an input in the host. No pesky plugging/unplugging.

It's a little thing - but it helps

Don't record Cymbals with it, though

I use my SM-58 and the Audio Buddy into my SBLive to record my acoustic guitar mostly. You can hear some of the results on the mp3 bit of my page (link in sig) - the track is "discussion" - my entry to the compo this month. That's the only audio example I can point you at, if it's any use

DMP-3 is a dual micpre as well

you can leave 2 things plugged into it too

it has a nice 75hz lowcut filter too on each channel

good to remove a lot of noise from feet, bumped mic stands, etc.

Just so that everything will be less clear, the VTB-1 also allows you to plug both your guitare and you mic at the same time...
There is a line in switch...
That's true it helps.....