Mic preamps

fullmetaltony

fullmetaltony

fullmetaltony

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Suffolk
I purchased some Edifier R1600T multimedia shelf speakers from OCUK as my work is giving a presentation to the workforce by new owners, and wanted some speakers to beef up the video they wanted to show. They're lovely speakers and will do the job nicely.

Then they decided they wanted a microphone to beef up their own voices, so I went out and got an AKG P3S microphone http://www.akg.com/pro/p/p3 and suitable cables so I could plug it into the Aux In connection of the speakers.

Trouble is, the input from the mic is so low, that even when turning the speakers up full you can hardly hear the voice, the level of the input is just too low.

I've been looking into microphone preamps but it's really confusing. As the mic is ultimately connecting to the speakers via RCA L&R connection, would I get away with a simple phono preamp (the type designed for record decks)? or do I need a specific "Phantom" voltage mic preamp (I have zero clue).

Any advice, if anyone knows what they're speaking about, would be greatly appreciated.

I figured someone here must know about this sort of thing, if not I'll have to hunt out a specific audiophile forum :(
 
Have a look at ART/Behringer they do cheap Mic preamps, although arguably i would have thought purchasing a small mixer (Mackie Mix 5 springs to mind) might be more useful to you.

Look on Digital Village, Thomann, Studio Spares etc.
 
visibleman said:
although arguably i would have thought purchasing a small mixer (Mackie Mix 5 springs to mind) might be more useful to you.
Click to expand...

I think a small mixer is the way to go here. Dedicated mic pre-amps tend to be a bit specialist, I do a fair bit of tech for events and I haven't seen a dedicated mic pre-amp in use for a good while.

It will also make it nice and easy have both the laptop and the mic connected and get there volumes balanced.

I use one of these and it's fine for very basic use.

https://www.gak.co.uk/en/alto-zmx52...CdHcuWESAZS2wdNRvv4kV09EHAa0SZ5PeNxoCrhLw_wcB

But if it's likely that they're going to want to make more complex presentations in the future then you might want to consider something a bit bigger.

https://www.gak.co.uk/en/behringer-xenyx-Q1204usb-mixer/101632

This would give you scope for several mics, a laptop, event organiser's ipod /phone for background music.

You could even consider something like this which can be controlled from a tablet.

https://www.gak.co.uk/en/soundcraft-ui12-remote-control-digital-mixer/111071

EDIT: On and don't worry too much about phantom power. It's not needed on dynamic microphones. Although it is fitted to virtually every mixer made these days.
 
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That small mixer, first link by CK is adequate for your use.

If your going to do a lot of this, you can get a portable PA system like this MPA40BT-PRO , it's also easy to move around.
 
Thank you so much for the advice, I've gone for the first mixer K.C. suggested, plus a couple of other cables to ensure it can all be connected.
Boss is off and this all comes to about 50 quid over what I got authorisation for purchasing. Wish me luck with breaking the news to him :)

Really, I was at such a loss with it all, but all three of you suggesting the same thing, has taken a lot of the anxiety away and it was starting to drive me a bit crazy, though I suspect the heat today has a lot of blame for that.

Thanks again.
 
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K.C. Leblanc said:
You're getting me confused with a major underwear brand.

Any way, glad to help.

EDIT: And if you're boss thinks it's too expensive then send him these.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/midas_pro2_standard_serie.htm

https://www.thomann.de/gb/soundcraft_vi_3000.htm

https://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_cl5.htm
Click to expand...

Holey Moley! Those wouldn't look out of place on the bridge of the starship enterprise!!!

I think I'd definitely be in trouble for getting one of them :D

I should be OK with the one ordered though, my boss is great to be fair and isn't likely to get in a hump about it. Really looking forward to confirming that though :)
 
Just to update, got the mixer now, with a couple of leads to connect everything. Tested it out and it's perfect for the job. Great advice given, and much appreciated, I now look less of an idiot at work :)
 
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