outboard preamps & "bypassing console pre's"?

[whosewavelength]

Hi. We are seeking technical guidance theoretical/empirical around using out-board preamps. As part of our main (small) MTD l-acoustics rig, we have been doing a lot of recording for school choirs and small folk ensembles etc. We currently use for this a Yamaha AW16g multi track recorder. We are considering also getting a used good quality AW2400 or Yamaha N12/cubase set up.

 

Until then and anyway, we will add a x4 channel good quality outboard pre-amp to the AW16g. This will use the analogue outputs into the analogue inputs of the AW16g. (there are no inserts on the AW16g) This is purely to get better signal to noise ratio for cleaner recordings -also maybe benefiting from variable impedance and phantom power on 4 channels - (our mics for recording include Beyer Dynamic MC930 stereo pair, Rode NT4 and various AKG perception series. Advice from other places has used the phrase "bypasing the console preamps" and they were not always refering to the use of channel inserts.

 

Our question: is there a protocol/technical base to how the console gain is used in this scenario? Is it just left off/down/low when a good strong level is achieved from the pre-amp? Or is it prudent/necessary to use " a bit of console pre amp gain"...you will see we are struggling to phrase the question. In anticiaption that someone can formulate the question as well as provide the answer...cheers in advance.

[Bobbsy]

I've never used an AW16G but, from what I know, there's no way to actually bypass the console pre-amps. Line level sources simply use the same console pre-amp input with the gain padded down.

 

This being the case, you're unlikely to get as big a benefit from the outboard mic pre-amps as you might if you could use a something like an Insert return.

 

However, if you still want to go ahead for the other reasons you list, I'd set the AW16G gain to the minimum you need for a reasonable level and let the external device do the work. I'd be surprised if there's an audible difference in S/N but, depending on the quality in the console, you might get a warmer, slightly clearer sound.

 

As always, your ears will be your best bit of test gear though. If you can wangle a demo, I'd try to external box and see if the differences are worth your money (as opposed to saving up for a whole better rig).

 

Bob