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Hey guys,

I'm kinda new to all this and i am finding so much useful info on this site. it is awsome. anyway here is the question. Most of my recordings consist of pretty much vocals and acoustic guitar. I have a Tascam dp-02 MTR and a RODE m3 condensor mic. The signal i get when I'm Micing up my guitar is very weak. I am after a preamp of some sort and hopefully later a compressor (for now i can compress the mix in cubase). i have been doing a lot of reading and everywhere i go they say that this is not where you stinge. do you think it would be in my best interests to buy a decent pre, for eg, $800 - $1200 or will i not even notice the difference of a decent pre due to my recording interface (Tascam dp - 02).

Comments

Codemonkey Mon, 08/25/2008 - 08:51

SM57 - Every studio needs ten.

If you use the line inputs on the DP-02 then the external pre will make a difference - whether it's better than the tascam, I can't say.

Personally I wouldn't get a hardware compressor unless something in your workflow makes it much easier to use outboard. But I record straight to the PC.

anonymous Mon, 08/25/2008 - 17:20

Awsome thanks for that. I'm guessing the external pre amp will be alot better than the onboard ones on the tascam as i am looking to pay about as much for a pre as the whole tascam unit cost me.

As for the compressor. Is there no problem in using virtual compressors after the the song has been mixed to a stero wave? I was only considering an external compressor so i can compress during recording.

BobRogers Mon, 08/25/2008 - 18:16

A better preamp will only make a real difference if you are doing things right before you buy it. Someone who knows what they are doing can make recordings that don't sound "weak" with the equipment you have. Finding the right room, right position of the instrument in the room, right position of the mic in relation to the instrument will make a lot more difference than an $800 preamp. (Which would be a nice investment, don't get me wrong.) The sad fact is that you have to learn your way out of this, not buy your way out. Can you post some test recordings. You might get some ideas about why they are "weak." Bet none of them has to do with the preamp.

anonymous Mon, 08/25/2008 - 18:27

Sure... i will post a recording that i have done recently. I do get good results and i am happy with them its just that in order to get a decent signal i need to push the MTRs pre amps which induces noise. I have been playing around a bit with mic positions and levels and such and i am getting some good quality recordings with out much noise and i am aiming to increase the gain a tad in cubase and also compress a bit. When i am plugging straight in to my MTR i get great levels - its only when micing up - maybe my technique, maybe the equipment, anyways i will post a song that has been completely recorded, mixed and mastered on my MTR - i wont do any post add ons like cubase or increase the gain.

oh and by the way. whats the best way to post a mix?

cheers

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