Pre-amp query

tony glenn

Not sure where to put this question, so I'll try here (and I'll re-post if there's a better place!)
I'm amplifying a banjo with a mic inside, it's working fine but I'm having to turn the amp up to almost full. I have a Vox busking amp....I was thinking maybe that would work as a pre-amp? Plug the banjo into the Vox, take a lead from the headphone socket to the main PA?
Any thoughts or advice welcome.

slavetothegrind

http://www.fishman.com/products/view/pro-eq-platinum-preampeqdi

feylya

It doesn't sound like the problem here is with the amp - it's with the microphone in the banjo. Are there any controls for the microphone that you can adjust, possibly a micro potentiometer?

You could alternatively run the signal through a booster pedal.

Have you tried a guitar through the amp to check that the amp is loud enough for what you want?

tony glenn

I tried it out yesterday....banjo /to busking amp/ to small practice amp, then cut out the busking amp. The busking amp definitely makes a difference, (louder for sure), I'll check it out on Friday through the band PA. Banjos are always a pain to mic up, wish I'd learned the bagpipes instead.

tony glenn

BTW, in case it doesn't do the trick, I was checking out Booster Pedals, I've found a few that aren't too expensive...they're built for instruments but I'm assuming they would work on a mic signal as well?

Gaspode

Our banjo player uses one of these -ART Tube MP preamp - it's a tube pre-amp which works for mics and instruments.
It can make the sound a little tinny if you overdo it, but it certainly gives him the boost he needs for live performances.
He's using a piezo pickup on the skin btw not a mic which is probably why it's a bit tinny, so it should actually be a lot better with a mic.

tony glenn

Thanks for the tip.....apologies for late reply! I have an Electro-Harmonix booster pedal on the way, I'll try that first. Cheers.

Gaspode

Let us know how that goes, was thinking of getting one of them myself.

tony glenn

Will do, it's due this week.

tony glenn

EH Booster Pedal arrived, I've only run it throught the practice amp so far, but it seems to be an amzing piece of kit.
Set to quarter volume without the booster, could just hear the banjo through the amp....hit the booster switch, bang! Almost on the edge of feedback, had to turn volume down quick. Very impressed, good job I wasn't on max volume before I boosted! (think opening scene of 'Back To The Future! if you're old enough)
Happy pickin'

godfrey

The mistake you're ALL making is you're putting a mic into a line level input, even with your new 'booster'. A mic pre-amp to drive the line input of your existing amp OR an amp with a mic input is what's required.

g

tony glenn

Used it live last night into the band PA, excellent results. Had to turn the volume down for the first time ever.....so no mistake IMO.