hello saxophone.... i use an LCM 85 condenser mic with its pre amp from sd systems.
my pre amp has had its day and is not working.
can anyone recommend a pre amp belt pack on the cheap side.the replacement for my existing pre amp is over £100.
existing pre amp has mic input(1/4 jack) xlr output to speaker. volume and tone control. runs off 9v battery.
i just use for it for busking (uk) so im not looking for expensive stuff. thanks
Last edited by paulpaul; 06/24/2008:42 PM.
rebuilt styles,songs and real tracks. win 10...amd a10 radeon r6 4c+6g 1.8ghz 64 bit hp envy biab 2023 with 1004 build. styles 1 to 429 plus extras 1,2,3,4 and 6. running as admin,cleaned up returned to factory settings.
does the sax mic need phantom power (i assume it does) do you have mains supply for the amp you are busking with or is that battery too?
Bob the mic didnt need phantom power while i was using my preamp but without a preamp - yes it would need phantom power, my amp does not offer phantom.
i use the roland street cube amp(8x AA batteries. the preamp which is kaput runs from 9v battery and did the job.
I dont use any mains power or deep cycle 12v batteries.
i was assuming that i could use any preamp as long as it was for a condenser mic condenser mic (the belt pack type) but because im not fully clued up on preamps i thought i would ask around. the preamp i use came with the mic and obviously sd systems only recommend their own gear which is very expensive (to me) Thanks for your reply.
rebuilt styles,songs and real tracks. win 10...amd a10 radeon r6 4c+6g 1.8ghz 64 bit hp envy biab 2023 with 1004 build. styles 1 to 429 plus extras 1,2,3,4 and 6. running as admin,cleaned up returned to factory settings.
There's not much complexity to a preamp and barring a proprietary chip (doubtful), it's likely repairable and at much less cost than replacement. If you don't know any shop locally, check the manufacturers web site for an authorized service center location. If they don't list one or allow returns to their factory, review similar name brand manufacturers for their authorized service centers and contact them directly. Most of the authorized service centers are not confined to one brand and service multiple brands and it's likely they would accept your unit for repairs even with no warranty involved.
Update: I looked at SD Systems site and they have contact info for repairs, parts and accessories. Most companies are very accommodating with repairs and the SD line looks to me as if it's of a quality worthy of repair versus replacement.
it is the preamp housing rhat is the problem. it is broke into approx 10 pieces , i have taped it up glued it(botch job im embarrassed) but when i am connected it is a bit hit and miss.
the circuit board inside isnt that secure so im thinking the connection misses occasionally. the housing cant be repaired, its in a terrible state.
Anyway i found a replacement housing from sd and its 38 euro. i will probably go for that.
another question does the preamp affect the quality of the mic or is it just a mic booster.
once again thanks
rebuilt styles,songs and real tracks. win 10...amd a10 radeon r6 4c+6g 1.8ghz 64 bit hp envy biab 2023 with 1004 build. styles 1 to 429 plus extras 1,2,3,4 and 6. running as admin,cleaned up returned to factory settings.
it is the preamp housing rhat is the problem. it is broke into approx 10 pieces , i have taped it up glued it(botch job im embarrassed) but when i am connected it is a bit hit and miss.
the circuit board inside isnt that secure so im thinking the connection misses occasionally. the housing cant be repaired, its in a terrible state.
Anyway i found a replacement housing from sd and its 38 euro. i will probably go for that.
another question does the preamp affect the quality of the mic or is it just a mic booster.
once again thanks
<< It is the preamp housing that is the problem. >>
I'm guessing you are right about that. That it works at all speaks well for the quality of the product.
<< The circuit board inside isn't that secure so I'm thinking the connection misses occasionally. >>
This is also likely true and there could be cracks in the circuit board as well but they should be easily repairable.
<< Anyway I found a replacement housing from SD and its 38 euro. >>
That sounds like a bargain and worth the effort. If you attempt the repair yourself, take photos of everything as you open up and disassemble the unit. I also draw block and wiring diagrams along the way. Also compare the new housing with the damaged housing to make sure they've provided the correct model and version and that all the holes are the correct size and in the correct place and that every opening is where it's supposed to be...
<< Another question: Does the preamp affect the quality of the mic or is it just a mic booster? >>
Yes, preamps will affect the sound of the microphone. Any microphone and every microphone. Hopefully for the better and with your SD, that's likely the case. There will be subtle differences between different mics and different brands of mics as well as different preamps. In most uses, a preamp will improve the sound of an inexpensive microphone making mic preamps an important part of the recording chain in home studios.
rebuilt styles,songs and real tracks. win 10...amd a10 radeon r6 4c+6g 1.8ghz 64 bit hp envy biab 2023 with 1004 build. styles 1 to 429 plus extras 1,2,3,4 and 6. running as admin,cleaned up returned to factory settings.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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