Question:
And dont use those big words..
I AM idiot you know
Answer:
The pre-amp takes the signal coming in the input jack and amplifies it somewhat (also allowing for some general tone-shaping) BEFORE the power amp amplifies it a lot in order to drive the loudspeakers.
Nate
Answer:
the poweramp can't work with the little bit of signal from a guitar, so the pre-amp boosts it to an acceptable level. it's also a handy place to add EQ, and of course distortion.
Answer:
I'm no electrical engineer but there are two basic parts of an amp, the preamp section and the power amp. In my simplistic view of things, the preamp shapes and strengthens a signal before it goes to the power amp which amplifies the signal.
Most (but not all) guitar amps have the preamp and power amp integrated into a single chassis. On the contrary, most high-end audio equipment have separated preamps and power amps. Hope this helps.
Answer:
The preamp stage is generally the first stage in the guitar amp. Originally, it just boosted the signal before the power amp, but as time went on, manufacturers integrated tone shaping into preamps, such as EQs, gain knobs, etc.
Today's guitar preamps are the biggest part of guitar distortion.
Answer:
Originally Posted by What5647 the poweramp can't work with the little bit of signal from a guitar, so the pre-amp boosts it to an acceptable level. it's also a handy place to add EQ, and of course distortion.
I don't think it's that the poweramp can't work with the little bit of signal from a guitar, it's just that it would take an amazing amount of power to boost that signal to a "nominal" level in terms of actual sound from the loudspeaker. My amp has an input that goes directly to the poweramp side (it's called the "effects return"), and it still makes sound when I plug my guitar into it, just not as loud and much more sterile.
Nate
Answer:
Originally Posted by nate95366 I don't think it's that the poweramp can't work with the little bit of signal from a guitar, it's just that it would take an amazing amount of power to boost that signal to a "nominal" level in terms of actual sound from the loudspeaker. My amp has an input that goes directly to the poweramp side (it's called the "effects return"), and it still makes sound when I plug my guitar into it, just not as loud and much more sterile.
Nate OK, change that to "can't work well"