Preamp vs EQ

[Chrisk-K]

How is a preamp different from an EQ (say, a 3-band EQ with 18 decibel boost and cut)? Don't they basically do the same thing?

[bongomania]

Yep, to an extent. It's squares and rectangles: every active EQ is also a preamp, but not every preamp has active EQ. Check the FAQ linked in my sig for a long winding road about the many uses of the word "preamp".

[smo]

Some preamps can add drive/OD tones, which can be very useful to send to FOH/PA/studio.