A microphone preamp is an electronic device that amplifies the weak electrical signal produced by a microphone. This amplification is essential because microphones typically generate low-level signals that need to be boosted before they can be processed by other audio equipment, such as mixers or audio interfaces. Microphone preamps can be found in various forms, including standalone units, built into mixers, or integrated into audio interfaces. They come in different types, such as solid-state and tube preamps, each offering unique sound characteristics. The choice of preamp can significantly affect the overall quality and tone of recorded audio.