Tip #3: Find a good preamp to boost your mic’s sound.
Now that you know which microphone gives you the best response for your vocal range, the next purchase on your list should be a good preamplifier. A good preamp will allow you to control your mic’s gain and sound.
There are 2 main types of preamplifiers, tube preamps and solid-state preamps. Both use different technologies, therefore the way they work is quite different. Also, before choosing which preamp you’re going to buy regardless of the type, you should keep an eye on your mic’s sensitivity. This will allow you to determine which preamp offers the most appropriate gain and noise levels so you get the best out of your microphone.
Tube preamps are made of vacuum tubes that increase the amplitude of the signal. When it comes to sound, tube preamps will add a very special color to recordings given by the tubes itself and how they react. Tube preamps are recognized for adding a nice deep bass, having open highs and for giving a distinctive warmth to the mid-range. This warmth is provided by their great response to distortion and on how the distortion is created. On the other hand, these preamps tend to be quite expensive. They’re also often pretty heavy due to the tubes and can be quite big as well. However, this shouldn’t pose a problem if you have your own rack in your studio.
Examples: 
Solid-state preamps use transistors to increase the amplitude of a signal. One of their biggest advantages is that they’re very efficient as they create gain with less heat. Also, they can hold pretty high levels without creating distortion making them very stable on that front. However, once they have hit their maximum levels, the distortion is very noticeable which makes it prone to loud clips, so you must keep a close eye on levels when you use one of these. They are usually cheap and tend to be small and offer a variety of prices and sizes so you can find a portable one if you are the traveling type.
Examples:
Do you own one of these? Do you have a preamp yourself? Which one do you prefer? Share your thoughts on them with us!
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Well Angela...
it's only been 4+ years since you wrote this (thank you!) so don't be downhearted. Here's your first reply!
I've just purchased a Neumann TLM103 and am wondering if a different pre-amp would be good. I've been reading a ton and wonder what you think of the Focusrite ISA One? (I'm currently using a Black Lion Audio Auteur preamp into a MOTU 828 interface.)
On the other hand, I could use a new interface (mine are both over 8 years old!) and am looking at the Focusrite Clarett (NOT Scarlett) because of the Clarett's better mic pre. What do you think? Skip the ISA One and get the Clarett?
Best
Joe Brown
Hello Joe! Thanks for reaching out :).
That's a very nice piece of mic! Congrats!
On regards your upgrade of mic pre-amp and audio interface, please let me ask if there is any special reason why you are trying to change from pre-amp? I've heard that the Black Lion is a beast and works pretty well. Saying that, if maybe you are interested in changing of audio interface, I would definitely suggest you to get a Universal Audio Soundcard. Perhaps you could try getting an Apollo Twin that are around the same price as the Clarett. They sound amazing and if you don't need to connect anything else besides your mic I think that one will work pretty nice with your setup.
If there is something wrong with the pre-amp and the audio interface is working fine, then I would suggest you to get the ISA pre-amp. I know they sound amazing :).
Let me know your thoughts about it. I hope this helps.
Have an excellent week.
Gabriel
Hello Gabriel,
I do love love the Black Lion Auteurs. I have four of them that I use for location music recording, along with an old Pre Sonus Digimax for additional inputs.
There's nothing wrong with the BLAs - they sound beautiful - I just wanted more options for sound colors. Interesting you were talking of the Focusrite Clarett - that's EXACTLY what I was looking at. But since I already have two interfaces (MOTU 828 MKII and a PreSonus 2 ch) I opted for a dedicated mic pre. The Focusrite ISA One looked good, but I wanted a smaller desktop footprint, and the options with the Golden Age Premier Pre-73 looked good, so I ordered it. Hope I didn't make a mistake. (It has not yet arrived.)
What do you think?
Best,
Joe B.
Hello Joe! How are you??
I totally get you, that makes totally sense. The Golden Age Premier Pre-73 sounds good! It should be perfect for what you are looking for you and it should also sound pretty nice. At the end I think it was a good purchase :).
Please let me know how it goes when it arrives.
All the best and hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Gabriel
Hi Gabriel,
I installed it a few days ago, and while I understand it's not a particularly expensive pre-amp, nonetheless it has made a LARGE difference. I feel like it took me the rest of the way to where I wanted to go. Could 9 out of 10 people tell the difference? Maybe not, but just hearing it in my headphones the way I remember it 40 years ago when I used to record commercials at a studio with a huge console and U-87, I get get inspired to deliver a better performance. So I guess the mic and pre were worth the money.
Check out the Thomas Clark Durant sample, recorded just two days ago:
https://soundcloud.com/joe-brown-722199595
Best,
Joe
Hello my friend!
Wow! It sounds amazing, really neat and clear. I'm very glad you are happy with your purchase and we are too! Hope you can deliver many projects with this new beast pre-amp!
Congratulations Joe!
Feel free to reach us everytime you need advice or want to share anything with us :)
Gabriel
Will do! Thank you Gabriel!