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Subject:need a battery operated mic pre-amp
Posted by: TheHappyFriar
Date:4/24/2004 7:56:32 AM

i'm helping someone setup their laptop for portable recording. Only problem is that the mic's aren't picked up good enough for the laptop mic-in input. So, i need a battery powered mic-preamp. Why battery powered? Some of the places recorded won't have AC available.

Does anyone have any recomendations?

thanks!

Subject:RE: need a battery operated mic pre-amp
Reply by: captn_spalding
Date:4/24/2004 2:34:32 PM

I use a Behringer MXB1002 from time to time. Runs on AC or two 9 volt batteries (three if you need phantom power) It does what i need. This aint a Rolls Royce, but you can buy it for $100.

...spalding

Subject:RE: need a battery operated mic pre-amp
Reply by: Jessariah
Date:4/24/2004 9:20:12 PM

Steve,

The Beachtek DXA-6 & DXA-8 might be worth looking into. I know I'm going to go with the DXA-8 to solve some of my camera's internal noise floor problems. They are both XLR adapters for cameras, so that may not be exactly what you're looking for, but the DXA-8 has both a built-in limiter and 15dB boost.


HTH

Subject:RE: need a battery operated mic pre-amp
Reply by: rraud
Date:4/25/2004 7:12:23 AM

M-Audio's 2 channel mobile pre is USB powered. It sounds decent, has a headphone jack and can supply Phantom power. But like most of M audio's products the drivers are sometimes buggy to install. The street price is around $150.
Check out B&H in NY for good prices
There are other USB powered pre-s available also.

Subject:RE: need a battery operated mic pre-amp
Reply by: RiRo
Date:4/25/2004 8:13:02 PM

If you are using win98, this is a no-go. Vegas and Sound Forge always lock up when recording with it. Always.

RiRo

Subject:RE: need a battery operated mic pre-amp
Reply by: Rednroll
Date:4/26/2004 1:10:24 PM

Actually, for a better option you should look into a USB or PCM card slot powered Mic pre-amp like rraud mentioned. This will give you much more flexibility in the long run. I use a Sound Devices USBPre. No additional power chords needed, it runs off the power supplied by the USB port and provides phantom power for condenser mics and adequate enough gain for dynamic mics. Therefore you can use it with any mic and it will also provide you with a much better recording having a better mic/pre and moving the mic/pre outside of the laptop enclosure, which tends to always cause a high noise floor added to your recordings due too the surrounding electronics around the internal mic pres.

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