Recently we asked our Facebook community to share with us “Engineer or Mixer, One Question - What Question Would Ask?”. One response was “Which hardware mic preamp has the best value for money in a home studio?” In this article, we bring together the microphone preamp tests and reviews that we have produced over the years.
However, you record audio you are not likely to get far without a microphone to capture the sound of whatever it is you are recording, if you need a microphone you are definitely going to need a microphone preamp, whether it is included in your interface or a standalone piece of hardware.
There are many different types of preamps, some with character, others designed to be neutral.
A lot of people ask us to comment or compare the sound and features of various microphone preamps. With our reviews, we give you the chance to see and hear what they can do before you consider buying them.
To help, we have consolidated 30 of our most recent microphone preamp reviews in this article to enable you to see the differences between them and see how they could fit into your workflow. If you are considering a new microphone preamp, for your studio then check out these reviews...
In this video review for Production Expert, Pro Tools Expert Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new Neve 1073DPX two-channel mic preamp with EQ.
In this Production Expert video review, we take a look at the VTRC Vari Tube Recording Channel by Tegeler Audio Manufaktur.
In this video review for Production Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new Chroma 500 series mic pre/line preamp. The Chroma offers the same A & N modes of mojo mic pre circuit found on its big brother the Silver Bullet but adds the ability to add your own flavour of tone shaping with a "Colour" module.
There is nothing quite like the excitement that comes when you know the "postman" is going to be delivering some new toys for me to try-out in the studio. This week the moments of delight came in the form of the new Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre and OctoPre Dynamic.
In this video review, Pro Tools Expert Deputy Editor Dan Cooper takes a look at the Universal Audio 6176 Channel Strip. The 6176 features a single 610 tube preamp section and 1176N limiting amplifier that can either be used as two separate units or joined together with the output of the 610 tube preamp feeding into the input of the 1176 Limiter.
In this video for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the stunning DirectOut Technologies Andiamo MC, a 32 channel mic and line pre with A/D D/A conversion to MADI.
In this video for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the new WA-412 quad mic pre from Warm Audio. Warm are on fire at the moment with their recreations of classic gear and the WA-412 is no exception.
In this video review, Pro Tools Expert Technical Editor, James Ivey takes a look at the Gain, 2 channel microphone pre-amp by Italian company Teknosign.
In this video for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the Neve 88R LB 500 series mic pre and DI.
In this video you join Pro Tools Expert Technical Editor James Ivey for day 3 of his sessions on the Audient ASP8024 Heritage Edition console. In the final part of this series James and Audient's Bryn Wildish look at mixing the track "Sticks & Stones", which they have recorded over the previous days.
In this video Pro Tools Expert Technical Editor James Ivey continues his exploration of the new Audient ASP8024 Heritage Editor console. In this instalment which covers the end of day 2 and the start of day 3 James finishes tracking the song with the lead electric guitar, all important shaker and lead vocal.
In this video Pro Tools Expert Technical Editor James Ivey continues his tests of the Audient ASP8024HE recording and mixing console. We join James and Audient's Bryn Wildish in day 2 of this project, the tracking session.
In this video, part 3 of day one, Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey continues his in depth tour of the new Audient ASP 8024 Heritage Edition console. As James and Bryn continue to mix they explore the console's built in master tone shaping controls.
In this, the second part in a new series of videos for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor, James Ivey gets the one on one tour of the new Audient ASP 8024 HE console. James spends 3 days in the company of Audient's Bryn Wildish and the new Heritage Edition version of the classic in-line 8024 at the brand new ACM in Clapham, London.
In this review for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the Neve 4081 Quad Mic Pre. This box offers 4 remote-controllable Neve 1081 mic pres in a 2U half rack unit. If it's classic Neve 1081 tone you are after with a modern twist this could well be the unit for you.
In this, the first part in a new series of videos for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor, James Ivey gets the one on one tour of the new Audient ASP 8024 HE console.
In this video (part 3 of 3) James Ivey from Pro Tools Expert takes a final look at the Focusrite Red 4Pre as a Dante interface. James shows how he configured the Dante Virtual Soundcard, RedNet Control, Dante Controller and Focusrite Control to route audio around his Mac Pro system.
In this video for Pro Tools Expert, James Ivey takes another look at the new Red 4 Pre by Focusrite.
Dan Cooper reviews a microphone pre amp that he's been itching to get in his studio for some time. The LEV Solutions Integrity II. Watch to find out what he thinks and to hear a short example recording featuring his talented singer songwriter wife Georgie.
In this James takes a look at the new Audient ASP800, an 8 channel mic pre-amp with A/D. But what makes the ASP800 special is the 2 "Retro Channels " which allow you to roll in either the new HMX Mosfet Drive to add simulated valve warmth to the signal or the Iron Magnetic Drive which processes the signal through a custom designed transformer. Or add both HMX and Iron to the signal to colour the tone just how you want it. James uses the ASP800 on a drum tracking session and demonstrates on kick and snare drums how HMX and Iron shape the tone.
In this video, shot during a real life recording session James shows off the Focusrite Red 1 500 series pre amp on a vocal track. He talks about his approach to tracking a guitar vocal duo including mic selection and placement and also about his ideas on mixing showing off some of his go to mixing plug-ins and settings. The video is as much a show and tell as it is demonstration of James' take on mixing small groups.
In this video James takes a look at the USB 500 Rack from Aphex. Is it a 500 series rack? Is it a USB interface? Is it an all in one hardware audio solution. James checks it out and puts it to work.
In this video James takes a look and listen to the Warm Audio TB12 Tone Beast an shows just how much tone you can get from a beast.
In this video James takes a look at two 500 series modules by Aphex. He shows how to record a full drum kit using just 4 mics and 4 mic press.
In this video James takes a look at the Focusrite Liquid Channel and its Pre Amp section simulations. He takes you on a tour of the front panel features and shows off some of the pre amp tones.
In this video James takes a look at the new Sontronics Sonora 2 dual-channel solid state preamplifier. He uses it to record drums, bass and acoustic guitar to build into a country style track to show off how easy this unit is to use and how great it sounds.
FetHead is a low-noise, high quality, in-line microphone preamplifier. It provides improved sound for Ribbon and Dynamic microphones. The electronics are housed in a robust metal chassis with a balanced 3-pole female XLR input and a balanced 3-pole male XLR output, rugged enough for use at home, in the studio or on tour.
The Cloudlifter CL-1 is a single channel box with XLR connectors on either side with four rubber feet under it and a handy little strap so that you can attach it to a boom stand. It’s that simple, setup in seconds. All you need to do is make sure you are sending phantom power from your preamp to it… this is how the magic happens.
Unsurprisingly the Maag PREQ4 is very good, both in terms of build and sound. In the short time I’ve spent trying it out I feel sure that this will be a pre-amp I’ll be using most of the time - it makes my voice sound good - that in itself is a minor miracle.