A preamplifier is an analog or digital unit that processes a signal and adds gain before sending it to the main amplifier or receiving unit. A preamplifier can be used with computers, home and automobile systems, microphones, antenna reception, guitar and bass guitars. Preamplifiers are built into many home theater systems to help reproduce the surround sound heard in actual movie theaters.
RF Preamplifier
Using a preamplifier to boost radio frequency signal (RF) helps achieve better reception for radio or television equipment that has a small antenna. Using an RF preamplifier, also recognized as an RF booster or an RF line amplifier, helps amplify the signal in the antenna line that runs to your television or your radio.
Guitar and Bass Preamp
Preamplifiers designed for the guitar or bass guitar have a line input gain, a master volume, distortion controls and other equalization controls that flavor the signal from the source. The preamplifier adds the processed gain to the signal before sending it to the main amplifier for amplification out of the loudspeakers. Many guitar and bass guitar preamplifiers are made from semiconductor, transistor, solid-state circuits, integrated circuits and vacuum tubes to give the player a preferred tonal characteristic. Preamplifiers are useful for home or studio recordings.
Home, Automobile and Theater Stereo Systems
According to Preamplifier.org, stereo systems for homes, automobile and theater usually have the preamplifier built into the stereo receiver unit. The main amplifier is a separately added component. Stereo preamplifiers are equipped with equalization for low bass and high treble and master volume controls to fine-tune the flavor of the sound frequencies for listeners' pleasure.
USB Preamplifiers
The USB preamplifier is made for desktop or laptop computers where a soundcard is not included or is not compatible. The USB preamplifier usually includes features such as balanced microphone XLR connectors, MIDI connectors, phantom power capabilities, a high impedance input for guitar, bass guitar, turntable, headphone output and line-in and line-out connections. A USB preamplifier can be set to a variety of bit rates and sample rates from your computer.
Tube Preamplifiers
Tube preamplifiers are useful to listeners and musicians who are seeking a warm and full sound in their audio system. Useful for home stereo systems, microphones and music instruments, tube preamplifiers, also known as valve preamplifiers, use vacuum tubes to process the sound frequencies and then sends it out to the main amplifier or directly into a recording mixing console.
Tags: main amplifier, bass guitar, guitar bass, guitar bass guitar, before sending, before sending main