Some help with recording - should I use a preamp?

[chrisdyter]

Hello folks!

I'm pretty new to this, although I've owned a first gen Sony minidisc and ECM907 mic for ages..I recently upgraded to an MZ-RH910 (primarily for the upload facility), and just got a Rode NT4 mic, which has just superb clarity - I'm a classical organist and recording live performances is my main use of the machine. The background hiss at quiet moments when microphone sensitivity is set to high is very noticeable: having experimented with both old and new microphones (using manual recording level of course) and got a similar hiss with both, I'm guessing the built-in preamp is the culprit? The thing is, a prefer the quality and 'presence' of recording with high sensitivity, and the varied dynamics etc. are really an important part of the recording.

After trawling through lots of highly informative and enlightening posts, am I right in thinking that the mic going into line-in via an external preamp is the answer? The Rode mic has the option to be 9V battery powered or 48V phantom powered, and similarly has a single mini-stereo jack lead (which I've been using) or dual XLR.

Could anyone give me a shortlist of preamps that would be suitable and that wouldn't break the bank?? (I've spent way beyond my means already!)

Sorry if this is really wordy, hope ya'all aren't too bored with my novice ramblings!!

Best,

Chris

[The Low Volta]

there should be some good ideas about this floating here on the forums... but I remember a test a while ago comparing reasonably priced external pre-amps and the internal HiMD pre-amp and the conclusion was IIRC that the internal one isn't that bad at all and upgrading to a very low S/N-ratio mic is probably wiser than investing in an external pre-amp (though if you invest enough of course it could be an improvement)

just search the live rec section for the test

[greenmachine]

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=10744

If you're in a hurry, read from ~ post #38 onwards.