What Is A Preamp, And Do I Need One? | Studio Lesson 🎛

More videos like this preamplifier overview video 👉 • Studio & Recording Les...
Shop preamps at Sweetwater 👉 www.sweetwater.com/shop/studi...
Learn even MORE about preamps 👉 www.sweetwater.com/insync/pre...
Sweetwater Sales Engineer Nitish Kulkarni gets down to the basics of what a preamplifier is, and explains when you would need one.
Wondering what a preamp is? In simplest terms, a preamp takes a weak signal from a microphone and makes it loud enough for you to send through a mixer or recording interface without introducing excessive noise into the signal. Preamps are often found in mixers and recording interfaces, and there are even standalone desktop preamps as well. When you get into standalone preamps, you can choose between tube mic preamps or solid-state preamps. Tube preamps rely on vacuum tubes to amplify the signal, and as the tubes have signal pushed through them, a pleasing distortion is added to the sound. Solid-state preamps use transistors to amplify the mic signal, and tend to sound cleaner than a tube-driven circuit.
Some preamps are modern versions of classic circuits that are famous for adding a distinct color to the sound, while others are prized for being transparent, passing signal with virtually no coloration to the sound. Whether you’re looking for something that leaves its mark on the tone or lets your sound shine through unfettered, Sweetwater has the right preamp for your studio. Be sure to call your Sales Engineer with any and all preamp questions you have.
After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com today for all your music instrument and pro audio needs! 👉 www.Sweetwater.com/?...
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - What is a Transducer?
1:57 - How Do Preamps Work?
2:22 - Preamp Usages
3:17 - Preamp Specs & Characteristics
4:39 - Microphone Considerations
5:37 - Thanks For Watching!
#Sweetwater #Preamps
The Zoom F8N Multitrack Field Recorder was used to record the audio in this video, and can be purchased here: www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...

[@ryancrawford9894]

Hey, it's my sales engineer! Nitish is awesome, always super helpful and knowledgeable.

[@sweetwater]

😁👍

[@ciamanish]

He is Indian!wohh!! Proud!

[@TSC369]

Nitish not Natish 😁😁😁

[@ctenmusiq1333]

I want Natish to be my sales engineer too :(

[@ryancrawford9894]

@@TSC369 corrected 🙂

[@andresalejandrosalomon]

This guy is such a great teacher love these

[@saddamali666]

i also love this guy. we are now a e-love triangle. and now i hear the music from the 80s playing (in my head) every time i see you falling i get down doo doo do do do do

[@croadicep]

@i Jamguitar ..yes?

[@davidhrivnak]

This is a really great introduction to preamps, and the only thing I felt was missing was audio examples of the ways in which different preamps affect the sound of various inputs. I know that's probably beyond the scope of what you aimed to do here, but I think a companion video with examples like that would be instructive in a very helpful way.

[@mysteriowc]

Sweetwater has my business ever since I have been made aware of them. HIGHLY competitive prices and courteous and great sales folks.

[@neoaureus]

No aggression ! At all...

[@vigneshkarthikeyan8174]

Yeah. Greg Lanning is awesome!

[@brynmcauley]

This was so clear and very very helpful. Thank you for your direct and no frills style.

[@gusgarcia4461]

I’ve recently discovered Sweetwater tutorial videos and have had a multitude of questions answered, that I’ve wondered about for years. Thank you guys so much for your expertise and excellent teaching skills.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Great instruction, complete but not overwhelming. Consumer matching of mic and preamp is a black magic mystery. We need Sweetwater to recommend the perfect pre-amp for our chosen microphone. Thanks for being there for us.

[@thedude6478]

What a tremendous presentation: clear, simple and accessible. Thanks ! I’m now well informed.

[@sergiom5907]

Great explanation. I find recording equipment really confusing so videos like these that are simple and straightforward are very helpful.

[@MyPronounsISwhom]

I've been having so much trouble with the particular setup I'm trying to work with and I've been lost for a handful of months at this point. I've watched, I've sat through, I've studied hours upon hours of content on a blogs, on videos, on PDF file user manuals and I have never heard this explained so clearly before seeing this video. I feel like I learned almost everything that this man needs to know, referring to myself, and yet I still want to find out more if that makes sense. Great job, another banger from sweetwater!

[@tatertotter25]

Never knew Sweetwater was so on top of it. These videos are awesome.

[@yolhanson]

Just discovered these. Very good indeed. Just the right amount of 'tech' talk and an easy pace. I don't mind learning by listening, but others might like a graphic or two along the way.

[@sweetwater]

Thank you! 😎🙌

[@buddhadevmukherjee716]

Fantastic tutorial... Nitish reminded me of my Physics professor in college. Keep at it, Nitish. You've got the flair for it.

[@AlejandroLopez-kk9vu]

Very well written, very knowledgable! Learned a lot!

[@TheSeeking2know]

Very clear and usable guidelines. I'm much more informed than I was before coming here. Thanks!

[@CMDRkarstenvader]

Had a great experience ordering stuff from these guys

[@Capt-Cran]

Sweetwater - thank you for all of the great videos - very helpful!!

[@sweetwater]

😊👍

[@TheJosa007]

Even thought I am not on that field I found your explanatins easy to understand. Next I am going to look on your channel for information about amps and pre amps for home theater. Thank you very much for educating me.

[@metalguy7289]

That was really informative Nitish, thankyou so much, I've learnt so much today

[@Flute_Chandan]

Thanks Nitish! You have poured great clarity and easily understandable to a beginner too! Thanks again..

[@petewest530]

Incredibly helpful, clear and concise.

[@davidlane1169]

Many HTRs on the current market offer preamp outputs as well as speaker outputs. These are superb for hooking up active speaker units or an electronic crossover/speaker control unit. Keep that in mind if considering a preamp purchase, typically they are MUCH more expensive without adding all that much overall quality in the process. HTR with jackpack output offers amplification preamps do not/more options upon install.

[@Colombo5218]

A superb presentation by a knowledgeable and gifted communicator. Thank you very much.

[@toro514]

I already knew most of this, but it was presented so well I stayed and watched. Great job!

[@biurai.com-biuruofisuadmin2799]

Thank you for the clear information. Worth of watching!

[@borderline666]

Cristal clear explanation, keep that good work !!

[@CaptSureshSharma]

Excellent tutorial. I was desperately looking for it. I just started looking at the sound as important as video. Just bought some equipment.

[@richmellow3315]

Well explained! "I actually understood everything he said."

[@sorry11303]

I can always count on you guys for the most accurate information when it comes down to this information.!!! I'm still affected by your guys customer service thank you so much and please next time when I purchase something don't be so stingy with 🍭🍬🍭😉 thank you 😊

[@TotoEviin]

Nice! Thanks for making the water clearer. Sweet sweet 💎

[@gourabmahata]

Great we need more studio lesson .

[@kayokk-]

Great video and well explained. Thanks, Natish.

[@hughmarshall7148]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you! Sweetwater rules!

[@ravindrajahagirdar2701]

Very useful. Very clearly explained. Thank you.

[@ShuffleInMotion]

I have an old 'Realistic - Solid State Stereo Pre amp' how do i use it? and any info about it would be awesome as for i cannot find much about it.

[@hemchandmoosun4467]

Thank you, for sharing these precious knowledge 😊👍

[@stephenramkhelawan2463]

Great video. Now I have a better understanding of Pre-Amps, and microphones. Thank you .

[@user-bb3ci3gn7s]

Very well explained, thank you!!

[@pramodgeorgejose1022]

Very helpful explanation! Thanks!

[@clkwa2025]

Super clear and helpful!

[@DanielSRosehill]

Super useful! Thanks for the excellent explanation!

[@10314347]

Good job Nitish!

[@abhishekprabhu1]

Thanks Man, that was really so wonderful.

[@pinchopaxtonsgreatestminds9591]

I have a Mixer that works well with all my Instruments except for a Roland Octapad SPD-30 which is too quiet, or buzzes. Should I use a Pre-Amp before my Mixer?

[@rafaelpereira9859]

very usefull video, straight to the point, thank you

[@laika25]

Very very clearly explained. Thanks

[@nestoralvarez538]

I am trying to find out how to use the built -in- pre out- in my Fender amp. Dont know what it is for. Thanks.

[@mcleanerskine3890]

Wow, this is SUPER helpful!

[@sweetwater]

We're glad you found it so helpful! 😎🤘

[@bendavie7989]

I knew they were official when I heard that awesome beat in the background

[@byronjohnson1577]

SO HELPFUL. Thank you!

[@0Imtheslime0]

Another example could be a vinyl player that emits very low signal. It needs a preamp to boost it. Most home Hifi stereos comes with Phono input and a built in preamp.

[@PeterTerpstra7]

Thank you for this video! Last month I bought an audio line CM4 microphone for classical guitar recordings to plug it straight into the camera, now I find out that it does not work without a preamplifier because it is a CARDIOID CONDENSER MICROPHONE. Can I reconnect the preamp to the camera's external mic jack?? (otherwise it becomes too complicated) If this is true than which (not so expensive, less than $80) preamp would you recommend? Kindly, Peter

[@ericvanjames8395]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@-Rayhan]

Very well explained 👏🏼

[@EefCoooo2]

I'm tempted to buy from you guys just because you make great videos as well, keep it up please 👍

[@larrytate1657]

Def buy from them cause they will help answer your questions if you buy it from them.

[@Fabelnegros]

Excellent Nitish!!!

[@MrDexterSr]

Great vid!

Thank you for this video guys!

[@befrankpls]

Thanks. Well explained. Keep it up

[@ralphculham4669]

Very clear explanation of preamps. Just curious. When Sweetwater gives you a title of sales engineer, does that mean you have a PE designation?

[@BarkatAli-pp9gt]

Great! Very well Explained I am a Singer & would like to buy a good condenser Microphone to record on my Laptop or iPhone. whish Which Interface will be best in the budget, as, with SM7-b type of Microphone. I am thinking of buying AKG P120. condenser mic! but a little confused about INTERFACE for good enough Fantom Power 48v. Please respond soonest!

[@RameshKumar-ng3nf]

Great explanation !

[@ThatPiperGuy]

Nitish!!! epic video!!

[@dailybread1935]

GREAT one really appreciated

[@francisphillip]

Thanks for the great Video, very informative video, Cheers

[@sweetwater]

👍😁

[@indieotatv]

really like this dude. not pretentious, not so funny. smart, and practicale

[@Michael-bm4tg]

I'm looking for a video on how to connect everything together to hook up to my pc. The EVRE20

[@MCRUE78]

Love SWEETWATER ! Greg is my sales engineer and he’s awesome.

[@foxik7272]

Wow I only wanted to know what is a preamp now I will google to know more about how a mic works. really nice Videos!

[@hummarstraful]

Great explanation. Thanks!

[@sunstar1630]

Thank you for placing the first stepping stone to get me across the river.

[@MrAntoniov30]

WAOOO GREAT TUTORIAL.

[@jeffw825]

Superb video. Thank you!

[@SuchetanaSinha]

Hey! This is a really helpful video. Thanks for explaining so clearly. I’m using Rode NT1 condenser microphone and Focusrite Scarlett Solo audio interface along with Cubase 5 as my home studio setup. Do I need any additional preamp? Really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks a lot!

[@KACROTE1]

your Scarlet solo already has one :3

[@UnexpectedAmy]

Finally, an explanation that makes sense!

[@kynever7865]

Great stuff Nitish ^^

[@shaileshgabriel450]

Nicely explained,

[@henryfernandez2533]

Great video man, So If I have a receiver I love everything about but need more bass coming out of the speakers, A preamp will help me get there ?

[@eleanorgiovanni]

Great information! thanks!

[@acehyer4441]

So im using a MXL 900 microphone paired with a Scarlett mini phantom power. Im just curious what direction I should go with my setup to get the best vocal yields in a small studio

[@lordofstringss]

1st thing i did was get acoustic treatment. The same gear will sound way better.

[@japmannsatnaam]

Excellent explanation!

[@ryan.gomes23]

Very helpful! Thank you

[@venkatsailor]

Thanks for sharing lots of info!

[@Maria-nf7xb]

Wow this video really helped me realize I am WAY in over my head...This is really might take me years to understand lol

[@CertifiedSped94]

I have a steel tongue drum with pickup, and a reverb pedal and amp. Will I need a preamp? I'm just wanting to directly record it to my fl studio

[@nass7036]

What is the intro/background music called,

[@MartinVanDerSande]

You sir, are awesome. Thank you.

[@tanmayhembram9249]

Great Explaination What is it Why u need it Scenerios Bit of a pre terms for better understanding Well done

[@sudheeringalagi7852]

Thank you so much for this wonderful informative video..........

[@danherod1151]

Outstanding!

[@tmmmedia731]

My fav sales guy!

[@rahulborah7964]

Best explanation

[@RithanVijay]

Great video !

[@samramphal1706]

Thank you, very helpful.

[@opol123456]

very helpful, thanks

[@ministeronaldstimphil5448]

Great video. Thanks.

[@darrencindy6177]

Good explanation thanks

[@MrRajkarthi]

I have a Kenwood power amp ( not an integrated amp) ..is it possible to use it without a preamp..can i hook it with my cd put...is it work well.

[@samramphal1706]

Makes sense! Thanks!

[@Twamevaaham]

Dear Nitish, Is audio technica LP120 TURNTABLE WITH DENON AVR needs a preamp? Pl guide