The 11 Best inline Mic preamps (2023 reviews)

We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a preamp. The triton audio mic preamp is exactly that - it's a simple preamp that hits all the right notes. This is a great way to get more gain. Your fethead phantom will latch straight onto any xlr equipped microphone, or anywhere else in the signal path between microphone and preamp/mixer. It protects vintage preamps. It is also an indispensable tool for mobile recording and a real upgrade for camera microphone preamps, because it lowers the noise floor.

The Phantom Power Blocker also prevents shorts when connecting unbalanced TRS cables to XLRs. These are high end, but low output that presents some noise only when recording very quiet sources like fingerpicking guitar. It allows phantom power to reach the microphone. You can plug this into any xlr recording device as long as it can supply 48v(phantom) power through the cable.

Why We Like This:

Blocks phantom power while allowing signal to pass freely
Ensures unbalanced connections do not short circuits
Safeguards against damage to input transformers and under-dimensioned phantom power circuits
Definitely helps less sensitive, lower output condenser mics

Best For home Studio: ART inline Mic Preamp

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The art inline mic preamp should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This is a great tool for making your mic “funny” turning gain all the way up peaking the mic making your words very inaudible. It does the job for small studio work and recordings. 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. The upper overtones are also accentuated and that's what makes the overall experience really unique.

This is an actual preamp and if you plug it into your Scarlett, then it will go through the built-in preamp on there as well. It's a fun little piece of equipment, the 20dB boost button is a nice feature, as well as the limiter and tone selection. The ART has plenty of good connectivity and does not limit your ability to monitor your inputs.

Why We Like This:

Great, affordable little piece of equipment
Great for turning mic volume up and down
Delivers what they promise

Best For podcast: Coda music technologies Cloud lifter

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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 coda music technologies cloud lifter is exactly that - it's a simple preamp that hits all the right notes. If you podcast or do anything using a dynamic or ribbon mic, this is a great way to boost your levels without adding colour or distortion. It really doesn't color the sound at all. It's a simple plug-and-play, and the output from the mic is instantly raised. It provides 25db gain per individual channel.

The vocal sound is very clear and full and the vocal activity is quite easy with the use of this cloud lifter. Another thing worth noting is that the enclosure is metal and it has brackets on the front and back to protect your XLR cables. The device is well built and once you plug in your xLR cables you never have to look at it again.

Why We Like This:

Much less gain needed on pa and audio interface
Great gain, no noise and plenty of volume headroom
Works great on 58's and other dynamic mics
Awesome for podcasting with a rode podmic

Best With XLR Output: Triton Audio inline Mic Preamp

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The triton audio inline mic preamp is specially designed for your regular usage and has all useful features. This particular model works only on dynamic microphones. It uses phantom power to boost dynamic and tube microphones. It gives your mic a bit more headroom, perfect for streaming and podcasting. It works well with a rode procaster. The phantom power goes to the Fethead and the Fethead protects the mic from the phantom power.

This thing packs a mean punch in a small form factor. It is used to provide additional preamplification required to make these mics usable with scarletts.

Why We Like This:

High quality, does a simple job very well
Works really well to provide the needed gain boost for rode procaster
Great piece for broadcast cardiod mics

Best For XLR based Audio DAC: Manayo inline Mic 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 manayo inline mic preamp is exactly that - it's a simple preamp that hits all the right notes. Spoken word into a mic designed for loud singing is a typical application for this device. It is more for ribbon or dynamic mics, not condenser. It plugs inline with the microphone XLR cable and runs off of 48v phantom power. It improves signal/noise ratio, getting rid of pesky hiss in your recordings or live performances. It is handy for bumping up your gain with a clean boost before the signal hits your interface.

This is typically more than offset by running your mixer pre at a lower gain stage, reducing overall system noise. It does require a connection that supplies phantom power.

Why We Like This:

Metal / composite construction, lightweight but feels robust
Adds about 28 dbv of low distortion gain
Affordable clean boost for dynamic and ribbon mics
Will be great for ribbon microphones

Best For The money: SE electronics inline Mic Preamp

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The se electronics inline mic preamp's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. If you have a rode procaster mic, this is the accessory you must have. The Dm1 Dynamite Active Inline Microphone Preamplifier offers a roadworthy, slim, all-metal design ensuring reliable operation for on-stage applications in difficult environments. It comes with a sophisticated class-a design and high-grade fets, and the dm1 has a low self-noise. It includes a black 10 to add to that provides a cost-effective way to bundle and organize cables.

It can be used to deliver a robust 28 dB of gain to boost the audio signal of a passive mic, which improves the level of a preamplifier without adding noise or coloration. It is easy to use, featuring a loop-through slot and touch fastener attachment.

Why We Like This:

Added plenty of gain with no noise
Adds clean gain to the mic line
Metal design ensuring reliable operation for on

Best For Professional applications: Golden Age project inline Mic Preamp

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The golden age project inline mic preamp's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. 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. It gives a very warm vintage sound. It is similar to the preamp section in the classical 1073 module with a corresponding sound character that is warm, punchy, sweet and musical. It allows for extra gain that slightly colors the signal, as much or as little as you’d like.

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. It is suitable for professional applications.

Why We Like This:

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

Best For controlling The dynamics Of electric basses And guitars: Focusrite inline Mic Preamp

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Best part: focusrite inline mic preamp costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. Building on the features of the scarlett octopre, the scarlett octopre dynamic brings you the ultimate scarlett expansion with eight scarlett mic preamps and analogue compression on every input channel providing a musical, soft-knee style of compression for more subtle control of your dynamics. It offers eight balanced line outputs, sourced directly from their respective mic preamps for use on stage in a live environment.

Building on the features of the scarlett octopre, the scarlett octopre dynamic brings you the ultimate scarlett expansion with eight analogue output channels from your daw. It lets you control the dynamics of all your input signals with an easy-to-use single-knob analog compressor on every channel. Eight analogue outputs can be sourced either directly from the mic preamps for live use, or via the adat inputs to give you eight more analogue output channels from your daw.

A switchable Air mode will add extra clarity to your acoustic instruments when recording with your Scarlett 18i20, replicating the revered Focusrite console. This can be connected to an audio interface or recorder with ADAT inputs. It is ideal for expanding any high quality, multi-channel recording system.

Why We Like This:

Simple adat connectivity via optical cables
Pro performance with eight of the finest mic preamps
Flexible analogue compression on every channel

Best For stream: Coda music technologies inline Mic Preamp

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Best part: coda music technologies inline mic preamp costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. It's a beast of an alternative to the cloud lifter. It will only work on dynamic or ribbon microphones, not condenser ones. It's a really efficient preamp. It will make your dynamic or ribbon microphone louder, but keep in mind you will need to have an interface that can provide with 48v phantom power.

The stealth microphone preamp is compact and has a matte black finish that pairs perfectly with industry. It can introduce electronic noise into what should otherwise be clean input. It provides 28db of clean gain. It is easy to install and overall well made.

Why We Like This:

External power necessary which is always a plus
Fantastic inline preamp that is clean and adds extra juice to sm7b
Reduce noise and add clarity to your podcast or livestream, by coda music technologies
Standard microphones for a minimal and stealth aesthetic

Best For drum: Warm Audio inline Mic 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 warm audio inline mic preamp is exactly that - it's a simple preamp that hits all the right notes. It provides 4 channels of classic american console preamps in a sleek 1ru design. It is known for its high headroom and low distortion characteristics and has much to do with the coveted sound of these classic console preamps. This thing is punchy as heck, and captures drum kits with a detail and body that makes mixing a breeze. It also has plenty of gain for ribbon mics. It's an amazing piece of gear not only because of the value but because it really sounds fantastic on a number of instruments.

The Tone button definitely adds a mid range boost, but you have to be careful not to overdrive it, but the top end is musical. A tone switch (transformer input impedance) is also available on each channel, which allows you to choose between a warm and punchy classic console tone, or go for a more open & neutral sound.

Why We Like This: