Preamp
Bringing a mic or instrument signal up to a usable level
Related
A preamp brings a faint microphone or instrument signal up to line level so converters or processors can work. It supplies gain and also colour: transformers, tubes and transistors each have a character.
It differs from a DI box: a DI handles impedance and balancing, a preamp amplifies; it differs from a power amp too: a preamp raises voltage, not speaker drive. The usual mistake is to assume the most expensive preamp is best — matching and gain structure matter more; the first job is cleanliness, the second flavour.
Read deeper → gain staging
Sources
- 话放的增益与染色，参通行录音教材；本文为原创表述
Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.