Super-quiet dual mic preamp and direct box.

The Audio Buddy from M-Audio is an ultra-quiet 2-channel preamp that offers the features and performance you need to track great-sounding music in your computer. Each channel offers individually adjustable gain, a balanced XLR with phantom power or a 1/4" instrument level input, and independent 1/4" outputs (unbalanced or balanced TRS). The direct box functionality of the M-Audio Audio Buddy allows high impedance signals from sources such as guitars or basses for recording with optimal results.

M-Audio Audio Buddy 2-Channel Preamp Features:

• Ultra-quiet 2-channel preamp
• Each channel offers individually adjustable gain
• Balanced XLR with phantom power or a 1/4" instrument level input
• Independent 1/4" outputs (unbalanced or balanced TRS)
• Direct box functionality

Order today and put together a simple but great-sounding recording setup.

M-Audio Audio Buddy 2-Channel Preamp

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Average of 20 User Ratings

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clean sound

Posted by PoseMotion from Indianapolis, IN on Oct 27, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Voice Actor and Animator

Reviewer's Play Style: Voice Actor and Animator

I've had my M-Audio Buddy for about two years now. I bought it because I was looking for something simple and preferably clean sounding. It's been great so far. I have it hooked up to my M-Audio Revolution 5.1 sound card via 1/4" to 3.5mm cable. I've used both condenser and dynamic mics with it. Not one bad recording yet. Also, I have never had to turn the levels any higher then 2/5 of the way. As for features, well there's not a lot there. Just plug in your mic and adjust the level. Oh, I must add that I've only used this on vocals. Mainly for animation work. So I don't know how this would do with drums or anything like that.

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Distorts with my mics

Posted by Guy who does not like Audio Buddy from Las Vegas on May 18, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Professional Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock

I have used both dynamic and condenser mics with this preamp. All of them distort the Audio Buddy's inputs, even when the gain controls are set to minimum. These are not 'high output' mics either. I had to open the unit and install resistors on the inputs to allow it to handle my mics. The phantom power suffers as a result.

If you buy the Audio Buddy, immediately test it to see if it can handle the output level of the source you intend to use.

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The good news: It's really cheap!...

Posted by That guy from California on Apr 7, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Sound designer and composer

Reviewer's Play Style: N/A

The good news: It's really cheap! Decent build on the box. Reasonably quiet, and the sound is quiet clean. It's works...

The bad news: Firstly, it doesn't supply full 48v, which limits it's use to dynamic and back-elect. mics. It's not well built - the box is fine, but the pots wobble, and feel fragile from the start. Same with switches. Also, the pots are definately not linear! Very sensitive, very erratic. Last thing; wall wart :( To be expected at this price, but still annoying.

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Work great for me.

Posted by Rick12 from GA on Apr 11, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Home Studio

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Alternative, Country

I needed 4 more boosted signals so I bought 2 of these to record drums with. I used 2)sm57s, a Neumann U87a, and a Shure KSM 44. Unbelievably, these units were quieter and had a bigger sound than my UA6176 pre/comp (a $2000.00 unit) Maybe it's because I'm using better gear but I love these things. I'm going back to buy 2 more tomorrow! It is slightly difficult to dial in the right volume but it only took about 12 seconds.

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Not for drums.

Posted by NGP @ The Phase from Hollywood, CA. on Jan 22, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Session engineer.

Reviewer's Play Style: I record all styles.

I'm a ProTools guy and the Digi002 has four line inputs that need preamplification to be used. I looked online and bought 2 of these guys so I could have the 4 pres I needed. Before going to my gig with them I tested them out at the studio and they noiselessly amplified my mic signal so I figured they'd work well. Stupid me. I looked like a dork at my gig when we found out that the SPL's from drums clip the Audio Buddy's inputs. No careful setting of input matters on these things, they cannot handle loud sounds. Even with the gain on 0, no amplification, the red clipping light went off every snare an tom hit. Strangely though, one of the 4 channels did just fine with the levels... I used all mogami cabling and MD421's on the 3 toms, but only one of them didn't distort on the input. This product is not loud noises.

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M-Audio Audio Buddy 2-Channel Preamp

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M-Audio Audio Buddy 2-Channel Preamp

Read 24 Reviews