Microphone Preamps Explained®
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17:18 Intro to Microphone Preamps
Designed for the beginner, Scottie gives you a crash course on Mic Preamps. Learn all about what they do and how to hook them up.
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3:03 Why Microphone Preamps?
Scottie now turns the videos over to his friend and colleague Brian Zieske's and his pro studio, where Brian talks more about preamps, how to use them, and why this link in the recording chain is so important.
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2:45 Features
Go deeper into what exactly a microphone preamp does, and take a look at their features and functions.
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4:49 Impedance
Learn exactly what this term means, as well as hear the what different impedance settings make on your microphones and their sound.
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5:35 You Get What You Pay For
Discover why people spend $1000 or more on a piece of hardware that just makes things louder. Watch and find out!
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2:57 Types of Preamps
Preamps come in all types of flavors. Brian goes over each type of preamp, their differences, and what you can expect from using the different types of preamps.
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13:49 Mic Pres on Electric & Acoustic Guitars
Now take a listen to an electric and acoustic guitar through various microphone preamps, and what each does to their sound. (High quality monitoring or headphones recommended.)
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12:24 Mic Pres on Rhodes & Synths
Experience what different mic pre amps sound like on a Fender Rhodes piano and a Roland Juno 60 synthesizer. (High quality monitoring or headphones recommended.)
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9:28 Mic Pres on Bass & Vocals
Bass and Vocals are next, and microphone preamps really make a big difference on these 2 sources. See and hear the sounds! (High quality monitoring or headphones recommended.)
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5:40 Mic Pres on Drums
Now you?ll finish up the preamp critical listening videos with everyone's favorite, the drums. (High quality monitoring or headphones recommended.)
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6:27 Gain Structure
Wrapping it up, you'll learn why proper Gain Structure is one of the most important parts of the recording process, and how it's often overlooked. After watching you'll know how to properly set your mic pre's gain level to maximize your recording signal and get a great sound.
Product Overview
New to recording with Microphone Preamps? Not sure of the differences between a $100 preamp and a $1000 preamp? Well pull up a seat and hang out with Scottie Dugan and Brian Zieske, as they show you everything you need to know to get started with using microphone preamps!
This series is designed for those who never used a microphone preamp before, and want to know about all the common features and controls found on mic pres, as well as how to set them up. It also touches on how the components and circuit design varies between units, and gives some sonic examples between an inexpensive “all-in-one” mic pre / audio interface and more expensive stand alone mic pres. It's not a mic-pre "shoot out" however, and we chose the MOTU because there are so many out in the field, and the others because they are studio staples.
Scottie starts off the series welcoming you, and then gives a crash course on Mic Preamps, covering what they are and do, they’re different features and functions, and how to hook them up.
Scottie then turns the show over to his friend and colleague Brian Zieske, who invites you into his pro studio for some critical listening videos featuring different types of Mic Pres on different sources. Instruments include Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Fender Rhodes, a Juno 60 Synth, Bass Guitar, Vocals, and Drums, so you can really hear the differences between various mic preamps. (High quality monitoring or headphones recommended.)
Wrapping it up, you’ll learn about one of the most important, but often overlooked aspects of using a microphone preamp, Gain Structure. With this set correctly, you’ll get much better sounding recordings and have correct levels into your recording interface, and that’s a good thing.
See the individual tutorial descriptions below for more info. If you’re just getting started recording and have no clue what a microphone preamp is, just want to brush up on using them, or hear the differences they make on different sources, check out “Microphone Preamps Explained®” today!
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Reviews
Submitted 1 week ago
Must watch for newbies.
Great overview. Really lets you hear the difference in mic pres.
I am a: Hobbyist
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 weeks ago
helpfull
it help me understand more about preamps
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 month ago
Less than on par with others
I've enjoyed every course so far, but found the videos on mic preamps just a little lacking. I presume that a lot of people, like me, buy a preamp for the main purpose of enhancing vocal tracks. To have the demonstration on vocals put at the end of another video on bass guitar just didn't give it enough attention-- and on top of that, the vocalist repeats only one syllable, "Ooooo" which does almost nothing to describe the spectrum of sound that will be recorded through the preamp. Specific questions I had are: what specifically does the thick knob do ( does this take us into the area of pres with EQ?) and.. was the acoustic guitar played from a piezo pickup, some sort of blend pickup, thru a mic? Thanks for all the great tutorials, but I'll be looking for more info on using my pre, and a definition of "flicker".
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 months ago
Good stuff but...
Most people use cheaper pre-amps. I.m a big fan of GA. Why they show the amp but don.t use it I don’t know. Maybe because the GA is pretty good stuff but way cheaper.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 months ago
Very Helpful
Very Helpful
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 5 months ago
This Helped A Lot!
I finally have a better idea on how to record properly and get the best out of my current recording kit. This will help me so much in my future productions! Thank you!
I am a: Student, Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Beat Maker, Audio Engineer, Logic Pro
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 9 months ago
Very Helpful!
This tutorial provides a decent insight into the often mysterious world of mic pres. The delivery is easy to follow and the examples are clearly explained. Only thing I wish was explored/explained further is the concept of connecting and gain staging synths (unbalanced TS jacks) via preamps. Nonetheless a highly recommended turorial.
I am a: Professional, Producer
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 11 months ago
Exactly what I was looking for!
I am just a short way into these so far. I am taking my time. It speaks directly to equipment I own and am very satisfied with this!!!
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Pro Tools
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Helpful
I liked that they focused on hardware! Man online tutorials only focus on recording and mixing in the box.
Submitted 1 year ago
very helpful
Really gave me a great understanding of the different attributes of various mic pres.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Sound for Film/TV
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 1 week ago
Must watch for newbies.
Great overview. Really lets you hear the difference in mic pres.
I am a: Hobbyist
Submitted 2 weeks ago
helpfull
it help me understand more about preamps
Submitted 1 month ago
Less than on par with others
I've enjoyed every course so far, but found the videos on mic preamps just a little lacking. I presume that a lot of people, like me, buy a preamp for the main purpose of enhancing vocal tracks. To have the demonstration on vocals put at the end of another video on bass guitar just didn't give it enough attention-- and on top of that, the vocalist repeats only one syllable, "Ooooo" which does almost nothing to describe the spectrum of sound that will be recorded through the preamp. Specific questions I had are: what specifically does the thick knob do ( does this take us into the area of pres with EQ?) and.. was the acoustic guitar played from a piezo pickup, some sort of blend pickup, thru a mic? Thanks for all the great tutorials, but I'll be looking for more info on using my pre, and a definition of "flicker".
Submitted 2 months ago
Good stuff but...
Most people use cheaper pre-amps. I.m a big fan of GA. Why they show the amp but don.t use it I don’t know. Maybe because the GA is pretty good stuff but way cheaper.
Submitted 3 months ago
Very Helpful
Very Helpful
Submitted 5 months ago
This Helped A Lot!
I finally have a better idea on how to record properly and get the best out of my current recording kit. This will help me so much in my future productions! Thank you!
I am a: Student, Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Beat Maker, Audio Engineer, Logic Pro
Submitted 9 months ago
Very Helpful!
This tutorial provides a decent insight into the often mysterious world of mic pres. The delivery is easy to follow and the examples are clearly explained. Only thing I wish was explored/explained further is the concept of connecting and gain staging synths (unbalanced TS jacks) via preamps. Nonetheless a highly recommended turorial.
I am a: Professional, Producer
Submitted 11 months ago
Exactly what I was looking for!
I am just a short way into these so far. I am taking my time. It speaks directly to equipment I own and am very satisfied with this!!!
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Pro Tools
Submitted 1 year ago
Helpful
I liked that they focused on hardware! Man online tutorials only focus on recording and mixing in the box.
Submitted 1 year ago
very helpful
Really gave me a great understanding of the different attributes of various mic pres.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Sound for Film/TV
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I grew up taking classical piano lessons, so music has always been a part of my life. It started out as a daily chore and eventually evolved into a passion. Now I am very lucky to call it my profession.
2. What training have you had?
After thirteen years of private piano lessons I decided to pursue a formal degree. Two years in and I realized it wasn't for me. From that point on a began teaching myself and taking various online courses that offered subjects that excited me. I've gotten to learn and sit under individuals who are way better than I am.
3. When did you get into recording?
Ableton Live and the ability to make music with a computer were the two biggest reasons I didn't continue pursue a formal degree. I was in a band, we cut a DIY "garage album" and that started the obsession. The once obscured world of synths, hardware and software was now overwhealming as I transitioned away from a piano only mindset.
4. People you have worked with/for?
I have the great privilege to be working with Ableton as one of their Ableton Certified Trainers. Being a part of that community has been really amazing and life changing. I have yet to work with anyone rich and famous... but I have a feeling one day some of these crazy talented people will be. I get to work with students and artists who are chasing their musical dreams. I like the purity and passion that comes with that.
5. Why are you so good at training people?
Well, I've always been told that I'm a good teacher but I hated talking to people I didn't know. It took a while to get over those introvert tendencies and fear of public speaking and now I can't get enough. Watching a student get that lightbulb breakthrough or seeing an ignition of passion after the transfer of knowledge creates such a sense of fulfillment for me. I can't not teach.
Products by Scottie
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tutorial videoAAS Ultra Analog VA-2 Explained
In a world filled with reproductions and ever increasing complexity, Applied Acoustics Systems Ultra Analog VA-2 imposes itself as a unique and powerful synth that is fast, easy, and remarkably versatile. Synth guru Scottie Dugan takes you on a tour of this awesome virtual synth, showing you all that it can do, as well as sound design examples that will kick start your programming frenzy.
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tutorial videoAbleton Live 10 Explained
Ableton Live 10 Certified instructor Scottie Dugan brings you awesome videos designed for beginner to intermediate Ableton Live 10 users. Learn to get going with Live 10, understand its main features and functions, as well as get more advanced topics and creative ideas. If you’re new to Live 10, this is the series to watch!
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tutorial videoAbleton Live 9 Explained
Presented by Ableton Certified Trainer Scottie Dugan, this collection of videos will show you what you need to know to hit the ground running with Live 9 and then elevate you to 'power user' status.
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tutorial videoAbleton Live Compressors & EQs In Action
Ready to make Ableton Live come alive? Well, Scottie Dugan explains how, showcasing Live's awesome built-in dynamics and EQ processors. Compression and EQ are the most commonly used effects for making your tracks and productions shine, so let Scottie demystify them and show you them all in action!
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tutorial videoAbleton Live Racks Explained
Ableton Certified Trainer Scottie Dugan is back with a collection of videos that will show you what you need to know to build, edit and play racks within Ableton Live. Watch and learn how racks are a powerful way to create amazing sounding instruments, effects and more within Ableton Live.
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