preamp

or pre-amp

[ pree-amp ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a preamplifier.

Word History and Origins

Origin of preamp¹

First recorded in 1955–60; by shortening

Example Sentences

The writeup contains a couple of hints about the player’s functionality, like the fact that it has a built-in preamp, is powered over USB and features a replaceable cartridge and needle.

From The Verge

The writeup contains a couple of hints about the player’s functionality, like the fact that it has a built-in preamp, is powered over USB and features a replaceable cartridge and needle.

From The Verge

“In music, there’s only 12 notes so there’s a certain finite number of chords and patterns. Especially with pop music or hip-hop, it’s pretty repetitive from a mathematical perspective. … What makes it interesting is the sound selection and all the little things that are maybe not so perfect, whether that’s a vintage keyboard or an interesting distortion on a preamp. It doesn’t even need to be that technical, but the way that you put everything together, that’s what Jake is a master at.”

From Seattle Times

It can be the preamp for your podcast mic, a field recorder when filming video, a multi-channel multi-mic instrument recorder for jam sessions, and a variety of other things.

From The Verge

But not only does it have a preamp for playing records, it has Bluetooth, which means I can magically throw music at it from my iPhone.

From Washington Post