The 9 Best Balanced Microphone preamps (2023 reviews)

The latest triton audio balanced microphone preamp is an absolute beast in terms of its features, and rightfully takes the top spot with ease. If you don’t have a preamp for your dynamic mics this is a great affordable choice. This model requires phantom power to boost the dynamic mic output. It provides enough extra quiet gain to allow the preamp to silently "loaf" at a much reduced setting while cranking out a strong, clean signal. It plugs right into the mic and into the preamp, and works just as well either way using the Shure SM7B.

The preamp is nestled in a small draw string bag, with the Triton logo printed on it. The fit and finish is very good and the tactile feel, the way it solidly clicks in place releases, is excellent. The sound is clean and full.

Why We Like This:

Really comes in handy when you need that little bit of gain
60 db of gain required by the sm7b can introduce unwanted noise
Designed for ribbon and dynamic microphones

Best For home Studio: ART Balanced Microphone Preamp

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The art balanced microphone preamp gives the top-tier preamp a run for their money by offering flagship specs at a much more affordable price. If you are looking to boost your mic input before going into your audio interface this is a good choice. It does a great job and has a very clean noise floor. The center rotary switch allows you to dial in the tone you would like in a manner similar to an equalizer but with that sound only a tube can give the voice or instruments for you musicians out there. It will give you some warm tube boost to a guitar tube amp or warmth/boost to a non-tube amp as well as giving mic warmth.

The device will boost gain on a dynamic mic, but is designed as a limiter. It's controls allow setting of gain and output, and it will supply phantom power to the mic. It has a metal case so it should be durable and last quite a while.

Why We Like This:

Very good bang for the buck, and highly portable
Input/output is versatile on the art
Great sound quality and good craftsmanship
Very powerful tune saturator tool for home recording, especially for bass and vocals

Best With XLR Output: Golden Age project Balanced Microphone Preamp

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The golden age project balanced microphone preamp is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily purpose. This Transistor-based preamp is a discrete preamp (as stated, it works phenomenally in that capacity) and it works great with Guitar, Bass, Vocals and even Synthesizers. It gives a very warm vintage sound. You adjust the pre to get just the right amount of color, and this gives you not just a high quality mic volume boost, but another creative tool for your palette. It can certainly add a coloration reminiscent of the design it is derived from.

These classic characteristics have been heard on countless recordings through the years and it is a versatile sound that works very well on most sound sources and in most genres. The LED light is blazingly bright. It allows for extra gain that slightly colors the signal, as much or as little as you’d like.

Why We Like This:

Real solid old-retro 50s transistor radio effect
Has a warm sound, that provides a definite upgrade to any beginner studio
Nicely excites vocals when you drive the gain

Best With reverb: Presonus Balanced Microphone Preamp

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The presonus balanced microphone preamp is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily purpose. It is designed for the output of a record player. It improves digital sound with analog warmth. It comes with two combo mic/instrument inputs, and the half-rackspace blue tube dp is a great choice for guitars and basses as well as vocals. It's a nice sounding unit. The adapter reduces it to 12 Volts that this preamp runs by. They also have more clarity and depth, which makes them sound awesome. It will stand the test of time.

Why We Like This:

Combo mic/instrument inputs with class a xmax mic preamplifiers and 48v phantom power
Added in the t-12ax7-s vacuum tube for a slightly warmer sound
A warm sound while practicing guitar whilst listening through headphones

Best For The money: rolls Balanced Microphone Preamp

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Best part: rolls balanced microphone preamp costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. This device is great for those needing to record on the go or change locations often and don't want to lug around a bigger interface or mixer. It has good, flat response. It works well for pc/laptop microphone volume control. It has xlr and 1/4" outputs, xlr and 1/8" inputs, and a single gain control with a clip indicator. It will drive stereo headphones but be aware that only the left channel will have sound.

The preamp comes with a 'universal' power supply that should work with any AC supply voltage worldwide. The aforementioned 1/8" and XLR mic connectors on the back panel, the MP13 also has a pair of output jacks on the back.

Why We Like This:

Microphone signal / +5 volts / common-ground
Solid and good sounding basic microphone preamplifier
Level control is smooth and quiet

Best With Condenser Mic: Rodyweil Balanced Microphone Preamp

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate preamp. The rodyweil balanced microphone preamp is exactly that - it's a simple preamp that hits all the right notes. This mic pre is adjustable, better for home studio recording and podcasting. It can be used for mic and karaoke speaker. It has a 3.5 line and 3.5 mic output for a live streaming device. It is perfect for home studios and professional studios, vocal recording, podcasting, and live streaming. The black metal shell of this mic preamp not only makes it sturdy but also enables it to effectively eliminate most emc interference, resulting in low noise. This provides a nice quiet gain for your dynamic.

Why We Like This:

Simple to set up, easy to use
Very clear sounding, and enough gain to abuse for nefarious purposes
Amazing budget microphone for beginner streamers or gamers
Super clean gain for both dynamic and condenser mic

Best For Ribbon Mic: Focusrite Balanced Microphone Preamp

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The focusrite balanced microphone preamp is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily purpose. It is part of Focusrite's classic lineage of no-compromise microphone preamps. It features an extremely smooth sounding 18dboctave high-pass filter of the same design as the original isa 110 module. It offers up to 60 db in addition, giving an astonishing 80 db of maximum gain on the microphone input. It's great for vocals and for guitar.

The ISA one has a separate DI input and separate DI output so you can record a vocal and direct in guitar to 2 different tracks. There's also a balanced insert point on the rear panel, actuated with a front-panel button so you can insert the eq, dynamics or other processors you need. It is ideal for the mics of the time.

Why We Like This:

18 dboctave high-pass filter, ideal for cutting out unwanted low-frequency sounds
Works fantastic and looks really professional
Good brand reputation

Best For voice: Veeleiz Balanced Microphone Preamp

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Whether you're a musician, podcaster, journalist or vlogger, the Veeleiz xlr preamp can help you achieve a professional sound that rivals the quality of top broadcasting networks like npr. It is perfect for live sound or studio recording and looking for a mic preamp for vocal. The aluminum housing not only helps protect the preamp from environmental noise but also provides physical protection against accidental drops or impacts, so you can confidently drop that mic.

This xlr preamp is a discreet device that can easily blend in with the rest of your equipment, making it ideal for video production or other situations without drawing attention to itself. It is designed from pleasant touch & feel materials. Whether in a professional recording studio or out in the field, the veeleiz preamp can be easily swiped out from your boom arm in seconds, making it much easier to move around and adjust your setup as needed.

Why We Like This:

Good sound and quiet, with plenty of gain
New and hot release

Best With ADAT: RME Balanced Microphone Preamp

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Best part: rme balanced microphone preamp costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. The balanced TRS inputs of the Neutrik Combo XLR jacks are phantom power-free and can be operated as real line inputs too. It offers 8 balanced xlr mic / line inputs via neutrik xlr/trs combo jacks. It features from the original octamic and octamic preamps with additional capabilities and a new electronic design. It is short-circuit-proof, has an integrated line-filter, is fully regulated against voltage fluctuations, and suppresses main interference.

It is allows for a maximum input level of +21 dbu with a convenient gain range from 6 db up to 60 db. It offers two advantages additionally include power onoff and output level, for a choice of. It comes with this, the user gets a long-term peak detection, and no longer needs to constantly watch the leds.

Why We Like This: