RO-03 Mic Preamp

I bought this To amplify my Sennheiser Microphones which I use with Dragon NaturallySpeaking for speech recognition. It is very solidly built and provides clean amplification. I changed out the power supply for third-party power supplies that I use with all of my audio equipment to make sure that there's no noise. The sound is very clear which is necessary for speech recognition. However, it does not provide any additional warmth like the ART preamps that I use for voice recording but it's about one third the price of those units. while the sound is a little dry, it doesn't sound unnatural on my zoom calls. I can't comment on singing are instrumental application since I don't do that.

Plenty of gain. Was able to use a microphone directly connected a Fosi Audio ZA3 power amp. Had the music connected via RCA and the Rodywell connected via XLR Y splitter cable. Simply flip the input switch on the ZA3 to switch from music to mic. NOTE: always turn the power amp off first then the Rodywell. The Rodywell does make a loud snap when shut off.

I was interested in trying this because it offers a lot of clean gain (75 dB) for the price, which I thought might be useful for low-output ribbon & dynamic mics. I did a little a/b test comparing the Rodyweil to the built-in preamps of a Yamaha mixer -- the Rodyweil definitely has a LOT more clean gain, which is nice and useful. I tried it with an SM57 and an sE ribbon microphone and it's loud enough for both, without needing something like a cloudlifter. I also tried the line input, and also a condenser mic with the phantom power button engaged, and both worked fine. My only complaints are (like others mentioned) the unbalanced mini jack outputs, which are a pain -- 1/4" would be a lot more useful. Also, when I tried turning the gain knob up and down, most of the action seems to happen towards the very end of the control's travel -- it's fairly quiet quiet quiet and then at the end gets REALLY LOUD, rather than a smooth transition. Also: the little spec sheet that comes in the box describes this as a "2-channel" preamp, which AFAIK usually means a stereo unit, or something with two separate inputs & outputs. This is a mono, single-channel preamp. It does have separate XLR and 1/4" inputs, and you can run a mic and a line signal through both inputs at the same time, but you've got just the one output. For the price, though, I think it's pretty good, and I'm planning on using it on various recording projects.

Works

Very noisy with minimum gain (19). Tried balanced and unbalanced cables.

Nice and quiet. I had been using a Tascam recorder as a preamp, but had a little noise on a 50 ft. XLR run to a weatherproof box under my front deck, where I keep the dynamic mic. Decided to try this preamp, and the amplification factor is about the same, but the noise floor has dropped about 6 dB. I was pleased that the box is STEEL, because it allowed me to mount it under a shelf with magnets. de KØUNX, Jim in Jefferson County, Colorado.

Sounded like it was picking up radio waves. Tried new cables, and different plugs, but nothing helped.

My initial impression was that the unit was well made. It's heavy, in a sturdy metal enclosure, and the switches and ports seem to be of high quality. I am using it in conjunction with a Fostex cassette 4-track, and I had some technical hook-up questions. My email was answered within a few hours, and the customer service rep was incredibly helpful. We exchanged a few emails until an optimum solution was suggested. The preamp works perfectly, and in fact even makes a very low end mic work/sound great. I am 100% satisfied with my purchase and would happily buy more products from this manufacturer.

As my headline suggests, there is not a lot to be said about a device as simple as this. Is your microphone output too low? Simply plug this in, connect your microphone to it and connect this to whatever you are using and "pump up the volume!" :) Also if your mic needs "Phantom power" it can provide it. Nuff said!

Fantastic product! Works great and super easy to use. Just a no frills preamp with a nice and low noise floor, my signal always sounds great. I do think it works best with microphones though, for instruments, I like more coloration from less transparent preamps.

Update: Been using it for a few weeks now. 10/10. No added noise with the gain nob maxed out :)

Rodyweil Microphone Preamp Mic Gain Booster with 2 Input Max 75db Gain 48V Phantom Power XLR Output for Dynamic and Condenser Mic i bought this to see if this will put some gain into my passive cardioid mics... it works and provides ample gain for sure. However i found this to have a bit too much noise in the path. An audible hiss. I went back to my inline phantompowered mic preamp instead which is very quiet. I will say if you needed something like this for inst or mic inputs, it does do the job OK but be aware of the noise you will introduce.

This is really gain lots for the microphone. It's really good build. but if you want to connect to the mic out on the back, it's a 6.5mm jack. if you have a 3.5mm jack, use the adapter. Good service. Thanks the delivery, and Rodyweil.