I know it's sounds a bit noobie
But I'm looking for something that can give me a acceptable signal to noise a value amount
On a budget
I saw everyday presonus tube little blue boxes and such
Or the things like dbx or behringer little boxes but I don't ever felt that they would do what I need or best case scenario it's gonna sound like my built-in soundcard preamps... Am I right or wrong on that !?
But also I see cheap used behringer mic2200 or dbx286s...

What would be your suggestions just for signal boosting with or without tube coloring...
I just want to have a clean, decent, without a noise signal...
Thanks...

 

FMR Really Nice Preamp
Cranborne Audio Camden EC1

 

Right. You just don't have the features.

DBX 286 or 580 is fine.

 

how many channels?
SPL Goldmike if you want 2 channels with tube flavour,
RME Octamic II for 8 channels,
Behringer 8200 for 8 channels at minimum budget

 

Cranborne > Crambone

 

Last edited: Feb 2, 2025 at 12:49 PM

If i'm getting this right you're just worried about noise? If so what interface are you using? Chances are it's preamps perform as well as external preamps on that department and using an external preamp might not really help the situation.

For most applications, preamp noise shouldn't really be an issue anyway unless you're feeding it a really weak signal, and in that case you may find better results dealing withever is happening before the preamp, like using a different mic, use a in-line preamp, use a preamp pedal (if you're recording a guitar), move the mic closer to the source, and check if the noise is actually coming from the preamp and not something else.

Now, if you want an external preamp anyway, how much are you willing to spend?

 

Just 2 channels are needed...
I'm thinking about dbx 386
Maybe I use in mastering later on too

 

On a tight budget, Symetrix SX202 or 302 preamps. Better quality but only single channel, try the Golden Age Pre 73.

 

Presonus Studio Channel is only 1 channel, but you can find it pretty cheap used, plus it comes with comp and eq. I think there's a 2-channel preamp only version as well.

 

My problem is exactly a weak signal and upcoming noise with the gaining the signal from the soundcard's gain knobs...
I want to have a almost loud signal without background noise added to it maybe a preamp or another signal processor...
I'm looking for something to process that signal
Yes that was my thought to use a preamp between the source and and the soundcard.
So the dbx286 or a 386 would solve that right ? If yes then I should go for buying of a device of such.

 

I'm considering the dbx and behringer as the most available in my region
Honestly must of the brands that you all helpfully suggested are amazing but I never saw them anywhere to be found...

 

No. If you have a noise floor issue within your sound card/audio interface, then I don't think that adding an external preamp is going to help. You need to investigate your possible electrical issue, then your PC psu, then your sound card.

You should not be experiencing a noise issue - e.g. even with a Focusrite 2i2. Good luck. btw You're gonna need more $$$ to break into the pro preamp market. Behringer and dbx won't cut it. Your point-to-point wire preamps in your interface are just as good. You don't need a pre. You need to troubleshoot. Behringer pres are a gimmick. DBX won't really help your mics either.

You should expect to spend $600-700+ for 1 channel (that's an investment), but you need quality mics to exploit that/those preamp(s). I'm not tryiing to tell you what to do, i don't give a s***, but I don't want you to spend money because you're troubleshooting from the wrong point.

Bottom line - Your basic audio interface should have everything that you need for external hardware synths without a high noise floor. - something is not working correctly.

 

Last edited: Feb 2, 2025 at 11:20 PM

No. It seems the preamp noise on the dbx is pretty much the same as low budget interfaces (which is very low anyway). I doubt other low budget preamps do any better.

What exactly are you connecting to your interface? (If it's a mic, what model?)

Also, can you describe the noise, or record it?

 

it does seem like the best use of money might be upgrading to a better audio interface. you should be able to make a good recording with even the cheapest interface from better brands (or better used interfaces from years ago if you're budget constrained)

 

My mic is old rode nt1a
My soundcard is NI Audio 6 mk2
I forgot to mention that I have a dbx 231 eq that has gain control but it has with noise by its own (I don't know if they are noisy in general or it's a issue with my unit but I read online that they are noisy in general from various users on the forums)
The reason for buying a preamp is to use with synths, mic for recording guitars and vocals and maybe a little touch during my mastering process...
This is an long time issue having weak signal or at least with budget gears I guess
I know someone from Instagram that makes handmade custom audio gears, builds racks, compressors, all sort of things I was thinking about talking about it with him maybe he would make something of my need that never even existed before that would be cool I guess in many senses

 

Last edited: Feb 3, 2025 at 6:05 AM

Yeah, like i said, an external preamp is probably not going to help you. I suggest you look for other ways of dealing with it, there's a big chance the noise is coming from somewhere else, hard to tell without listening to it. That's assuming your interface is working as it should.

 

That's a condenser mic, so really any interface with phantom power will be able to properly power it. I got a second hand AT2035 a few years ago and it had a bunch of noise that went away if I kept plugging and unplugging the cable. I took off the screws and put them back in and that was enough to fix it. Not sure what was the problem.

The issues you're having seem to be more related to user issues than actual equipment issues... This is a decent interface, the only way you can get better than this is by going with an RME or Audient, and even that is pushing a little into diminishing returns.

 

Maybe it has something to do with your control panel.



...or a ground loop issue

 

Perhaps a slightly unusual solution, but if you are on a budget and you only need 2 preamps in good quality, I can recommend 2 Fethead preamps.... be aware that there are different versions.

https://www.tritonaudio.com/product/fethead/