Preamps

Preamps raise and shape a source before it reaches an amplifier, recorder, mixer or power stage. In a pedalboard context they may provide EQ, gain, instrument-specific voicing, balanced outputs, cabinet filtering or a direct signal path. The key choices are input impedance, available headroom, noise, output level and whether the unit expects an amplifier return, interface or PA. A preamp can be an always-on foundation or a complete direct rig, but its routing should be checked before connecting it to another gain stage.