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Last updated: 28 Apr 2021
Cheap Mic Preamps on Amazon
The best mic preamp is a must-have for any recording studio. It's a small, portable device that amplifies the signal from your microphone so you can record with crystal clear sound. With so many choices, finding the best cheap mic preamps in 2021 can be challenging. We’ve made a list of the best for you to choose from.
Compare: Cheap Mic Preamp
1
Apogee MiC Plus Built In Mic Pre-Amp
– Best Overall
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Key Features
The Apogee MiC Plus is a fantastic choice for any musician, as it comes with everything you need in a microphone, from the condenser to an on/off switch to a built-in mic preamp. It’s easy to plug in and record with this mic preamp, so you don’t have to worry about much setup. Plus, it has a built-in headphone output that can be used for zero latency recording. This microphone is perfect for beginners who want to learn how to use an audio recorder without having to spend too much money on expensive equipment.
2
Shure Centraverse 18-inch Inline Pre-Amp
– Runner-Up
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Key Features
This mic preamp is an inline pre-amplifier with an external mic input. The mic is angled so it’s easy to use for overhead vocal recording as well as for studio monitoring. This cardioid polar pattern microphone with mic preamp is ideal for use in a wide variety of locations, including podiums and desktops. It offers high resistance to intense nearby radio signals that guards against unwanted RF interference from portable wireless devices (smartphones, etc.).
3
ART Tube MP Professional Mic Preamp
– Honorable Mention
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Key Features
The ART Tube Microphone Preamp is a great choice for those looking for a reliable audio preamp. This preamp has a 70db of gain, smooth, warmm and fat sound quality, variable input and output controls, and phase reversal switch.
4
dbx 580 Compact Mic Preamp
– Also Consider
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Key Features
The dbx 580 Compact, Professional Mic Preamp has plenty of power and plenty of features, including a large input dial. This mic has a variable-frequency low-cut filter, low and high detail equalization, 20db pad, and polarity invert. It’s great for beginners who want to record guitar or bass without having to worry about too much noise in the background. The sound quality is excellent with up to 60 dB of gain per channel.
Mic Preamps Buying Guide
Do you have questions about purchasing the best mic preamps for your audio setup? Then you’ve come to the right place. We've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you make the most educated shopping decision possible.
Considerations
A good mic preamp can really change your audio game. Make sure that the preamp is compatible with your existing gear and devices, and makes the changes you want it to. Some preamps are better at certain things than others, so consider what changes you'll want to hear in your recordings. As always, consider your budget and what you money will be able to buy you.
Price Range
Mic preamps are pricier than they used to be, but not by a huge margin. While you can find a decent compact, mid-range, or large format model for $200 or less, you’re unlikely to find one for less than a hundred dollars.
Inexpensive
For $100 or so, expect to get a mini or portable preamplifier, maybe a few channels, and maybe an analog input.
Mid-grade
If you spend $150 or $250, there are more features, better build quality, more inputs, a stereo output, dual line outputs, USB connectivity, headphone outputs (which may or may not connect to a mixer), and so on.
High-end
The most expensive models are usually tube-based preams that offer the best in every way, and cost over $275. These may have overdrive, extra bass, digital distortion, filters, EQ, room correction, two-way speaker networks, sine and cosine controls, multi-channel capabilities, DSP features (but not effects), MIDI connectivity options, multiple inputs and outputs.
How Do We Chose Our Selection Of The Best Microphone Preamps?
The team appreciates a good product, no matter how niche it may be, and this is why we believe every product on this list is one that will benefit your music production. Not only that, but we truly believe that there’s a product for every budget, so you can be sure that every single one of our picks will be perfect for your needs.
Brand
When it comes to reviewing products, you want to make sure you know exactly what you are getting and that you're getting the best brand for the job. We've been on the hunt for years to find the most innovative, forward-thinking, high-performance, most beautiful microphones in the market, searching for one to fit every need. Our list contains some of the biggest brands in audio, alongside lesser known brands that are still delivering excellent results.
Price
We understand that everyone has different budgets, so we‘ve tried to pick products that cater to everyone.
Reviews
Reviews are our favorite part of researching products. The feedback from actual customers helps us understand exactly how well a certain product works, what it is like to live with, experience the frustration of not being able to use it or the amazing things it can do.
What Are Some Features To Look For In Microphone Preamps?
Before you decide on which of these is the perfect mic preamp for you, check out these key features to think about.
Ease Of Use
For ease of use, users are advised to opt for digital or analog. Analog mics are easier to adjust, whereas digital mikes are easy to plug in and use. That being said, digital is definitely the better way forward.
Size
You‛re going to want your mic preamp to be a standard size to ensure it can do everything you need it to. Smaller gadgets are also great for travel.
About
Mic preamps are designed to tackle a wide range of audio and audio-related problems, from power and signal quality to equalization. The primary components of a good mic preamplifier are a power amp, a frequency counter, and a microphone. A microphone needs to be exactly the right size to capture the exact sound that the power amplifier is intended to deliver, as well as ideally have a long cable length to minimize microphone shake. It should also be rugged enough to withstand continuous use in the toughest environments. Beyond this basic set of components, the end product of the mic pres is the amplifier that converts the raw audio signal into usable digital information. With this amplifier, you should be able to take any audio source and amplify it with a lower distortion level than you could get from a quality receiver. These amps come in all shapes, sizes, power outputs, sound quality levels, price ranges, wattage ratings, noise reduction ratings (NR) and many more. If you'd like to learn more about mic amps and what you can expect to get for your money, please read on.
Mic Preamp FAQ
Q: What is a mic preamp?
A: A mic pre amp is an audio device that can convert your microphone's input signals into an analog signal to be used with a recording device. For instance, you can use your mic input to record your voice or use it as input for a live performance.
Q: How does it work?
A: A typical pre-amp circuit works like this: a preamplifier (like a household power outlet) is connected to the microphone input on your audio recording equipment. It receives the digital audio signal from the mic and digitally encodes it into a analog voltage that is then passed to an input/output circuit (usually a switched-mode power supply). The analog output then sends the analog digital signal over the speaker to your headphones. The idea is to take the signal coming from your mic and turn it up to 11 so that it can be processed by the preamps in your recording setup. Mic input pre amps are available with and without gain control or equalization. While gain is important, equalizing your signal is more important if you want to achieve the most natural sound possible from a microphone. A good rule of thumb is that if the sound quality of your recordings is not what you would like, then you should equalize your signals.
