Trying to understand mic preamps

[futurefaithmusic]

Okay, this is totally another newbie question.

If a mic preamp is a "tube" pre, that strictly refers to the type of amplification it provides, right, not that it's designed to be used with a "tube" mic. Am I right?

Also, another preamp/mic question. With tube Mics, is it necessary to have a tube power supply, or external power supply, other than that supplied by an interface or mixer (phantom power or 48v)?

Okay, I lied, one more newb question. I have a AKG C1000s I use for tracking guitars, I am trying to get a "warmer" sound, is a preamp the way to go? Also, I have a AT 3035 that I am tracking vocals with. If I use an external preamp, would this make the mic have a "better" sound? I realize this is a kind of loaded question, because preamps "color" the sound sometimes, so it's largely based on preference, but in general is an external mic pre going to help these two mics enough, or should I spring for a "better" mic?

Thanks for any help, I realize this is kind of an exstensive question.

Thanks.

[Ted]

If a mic preamp is a "tube" pre, that strictly refers to the type of amplification it provides, right, not that it's designed to be used with a "tube" mic. Am I right?

Yes, you're right...a tube preamp can be used with a tube or solid-state microphone as can a solid-state preamp.

With tube Mics, is it necessary to have a tube power supply, or external power supply, other than that supplied by an interface or mixer (phantom power or 48v)?

In almost every case, yes, an external power supply is necessary, but it's also supplied when you purchase the tube microphone. There are tube microphones from Audio Technica and Microtech Gefell (and perhaps others I'm not familiar with) that do not require a power supply and run off of phantom power.

I have a AKG C1000s I use for tracking guitars, I am trying to get a "warmer" sound, is a preamp the way to go? Also, I have a AT 3035 that I am tracking vocals with. If I use an external preamp, would this make the mic have a "better" sound? I realize this is a kind of loaded question, because preamps "color" the sound sometimes, so it's largely based on preference, but in general is an external mic pre going to help these two mics enough, or should I spring for a "better" mic?

A better preamp certainly will affect the sound of a microphone, but if you're really not happy with the sound of a microphone you'll typically get more noticeable results upgrading to a better microphone.

-Ted

[reignstorm]

I'm gonna echo that...

What preamp are you using now?? If its something halfway decent and you don't like the mic...get a better mic.

[michaelhoddy]

...And I'll throw in that "AKG C1000S" and "warmer sound" are not terms likely to be associated with each other.

The C1000S is not a warm mic. To my ears, it's a very brittle and small-sounding mic.

If you don't like the sound of something, start at the source and move backwards through the chain. Dressing up a mediocre mic or source with some glow-y tubes and a box with chickenhead knobs on it is likely to be self-defeating.

[Hynek]

I believe James says he's tracking with C1000S and is trying to get a warmer sound.