Built-In Mic Preamp
A built-in microphone preamplifier raises a microphone signal to a level suitable for the recorder’s signal path.
Microphones typically produce much lower levels than line-level sources. The preamplifier provides the gain needed before recording.
Built-In Mic Preamp — Reel-to-Reel
On a reel-to-reel recorder, an onboard microphone preamplifier can allow compatible microphones to connect directly instead of using an external preamp. Available input gain controls help set a recording level appropriate to the microphone and source.
Compare the number of supported microphone channels, available gain and input connectors for the intended setup. Built-in microphone amplification does not automatically include phantom power. A line-level input expects a different signal level, so the presence of an input socket alone does not confirm that the machine contains a microphone preamplifier.