M-Audio Audio Buddy Dual Mic Pre-Amp

The Audio Buddy from M-Audio: if you're looking for a whole lot of preamp on a tight budget, you'll see where this popular product gets its name. Affordability and performance make the M-Audio Audio Buddy is one of the most popular mic preamps in home recording today. You get professional microphone support along with line inputs impedance-matched for ideal performance with electric guitar and bass. Simply put, the MAudio Audio Buddy is a workhorse mic preamp that sounds great and won't hurt your budget.

Top Features:

• 2-channel mic/instrument preamp
• XLR mic ins; 1/4" instrument ins; balanced 1/4" outs
• phantom power
• ultra-compact
• 5Hz-50kHz frequency response

Main Features

• 2 independent preamp channels, each featuring:
  -> mic input (balanced XLR) with phantom power switch and indicator
  -> high impedance instrument inputs (1/4")
  -> gain control
  -> signal/clip LEDs
  -> professional balanced/unbalanced line output
  
• phantom power

Specifications

• frequency response: 5Hz-50kHz, +0, -3dB
• mic gain: 60dB maximum
• mic input impedance: 1kOhm
• guitar gain: 40dB maximum
• guitar input impedance: 100kOhms
• dimensions/weight: 14 x 8.6 x 4.5 cm - 0.23 kg
  

More Details

Affordability and Performance

One of the first issues you confront when considering computer recording is the question of how to record microphone and instrument levels into your audio card. Many signals levels in your studio are too low to record, and need the help of a preamp to raise them to a level suitable for recording. The Audio Buddy is an ultra-quiet 2-channel preamp that offers the features and performance you need to track great sounding music.

Improve the quality of the audio you record

Inexpensive mic preamps are often included within products like mixers and soundcards. While convenient, they tend to be noisy and color your sound in an unpleasant way. What many people don't consider is the fact that the mic preamp is one of the most important links in your signal chain. If you cut corners there, your music will reflect it right away.

Basic connectivity tools for home recording

The Audio Buddy has been especially created for computer recording. Whether you're recording vocals, guitar, or bass, the Audio Buddy will give you connectivity you need. The preamp provides phantom power for microphones that require additional power to operate. Direct Box functionality allows high impedance signals from sources such as guitars or basses recorded with optimal results.

FAQ: What is the phantom power for?

Some microphones, particularly condenser type mics, need to receive a voltage to power the condenser. Pressing in the phantom power switch will send the needed voltage to both of the Audio Buddy's microphone inputs.

FAQ: If I have the phantom power switch on, how will that affect the other mic input, as well as the high impedance guitar input.

Sending phantom power to a dynamic mic, or one that doesn't require power, will not affect the microphone adversely. This may not be true on older ribbon type mics, or microphones that have their own power supply. You should check with the manufacturer to make sure. As for the high impedance input, phantom power travels along the third, or ground wire of the 3 conductor XLR jack. Therefore, it is not part of the high impedance signal at all.