(dmp3 vs. RNP) on high SPL sources...

[paranoid]

Overall impressions of these units; from only those who have used both...

****Especially looking to use on extremely loud SPL sources (snare, kick, OH)
IOW- how do these pres compare when being operated near input/output clipping levels?

[tmix]

There is no comparison.
I have and use both regularly and the RNP has a bunch more headroom for transients on drums than the DMP-3.
Itis the initial transients that seem to be the killer for the DMP
It is pretty easy to crap out the input on the dmp on close miced drums, but it works well for overheads if you can get 5 or 6 feet of space.
The RNPs have a bit more strength (tonally)in the mid ranges as well.

The DMP-3 is my first choice for acoustic guitar.

Get both if you can afford it, get the RNP if you cant.

My 2 cents anyway.

Tom

[Teacher]

never used the dmp3 but owned a rnp.

It sound like shit when its over driven. But you do have alot of head room before that happens

[paranoid]

thanks so far you guys.....
I was going to use the DMP on close miced snare and kick, with RNP on OH duty, but I am now thinking of switching them around...

[Fletcher]

Paranoid... I think you may be screwed. My, albeit limited, experience with the DMP-3 didn't show it to have the resolution I would want from an amplifier on my overheads... and Teacher, can you clarify "sounds like shit when it's overdriven".

One person's "sounds like shit when it's overdriven" is another person's "damn!! now that's a bitchin' fuzz box".

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Teacher, can you clarify "sounds like shit when it's overdriven".

It reminded me of driving a car real fast and hitting a brick wall. Big and dynamic when it hits that wall it gets smaller sounding I guess like a shitty limiter or compressor would do to peaks.

I should also say shit is a relative word. Verse my mackie pre's its a world better at taking overs but since I got my MP2r I've jumped into a new world and compared to that it sounds like shit when overdriven YMMV

[paranoid]

Granted, I'm going to try the snare through all my pres before picking one that will take the strong signal; but right now it's looking like RNP on OH. Now I just have to find the right pre for top snare and kick. Remaining pres are- ART TPS II (higher headroom than the DMP3) and a few channels of PreSonus (has input pads)....Any ideas? (other than go grab and API or Great river (which i would love to do)

[tmix]

Actually,
I have had good results using a few ART Studio MPs on kick and snare.
They have a rather nice break up on the top end that sounds crunchy (in a good way) on the high transients.

I'd give that a whirl and see what you think.

Tom

[paranoid]

that is a good thing to hear...I think I may just do that. Especially if the DMP3 clips at low gain, on the snare and/or kick mics. thx!
Once I get some more dough, I think I may get another RNP....

[paranoid]

Hey, what "v3" setting were you using to get that nice breakup? My TPSII sounds warmer when using the "valve setting". Im kind of guessing for drums, i should start in the "neutral" position...

[paranoid]

Here are some samples of snare drums through the ART TPS II at different V3 settings (.wav format). Signal chain is Pearl "Chad Smith" model snare drum---->SHure SM-57 over rim and pointed at impact spot--->mogami cable-->ART TPS II preamp--->patchbay--->EMU 1820M--->SONAR 3.1.1

You can see what setting was used for each .wav by the name. "Neutral" is all solid-state gain. "Valve" is ART's general fat-tube setting (works good on bass). "Multi " is for percussion and incorporates the output limiter.
BTW- I ended up using 8db of gain in the pre, and about +3db output gain; all of this an attempt to get a real feel for the sound of this unit.
I personally like sound of the "multi" the best, but i want to hear you opinions...I know multi and valve sound louder than neutral, but I swear the drummer wasn't hitting any harder, and i never messed with the gain controls between takes.

www.busticles.com/neutralARTsnare1-7-05.wav
www.busticles.com/valveARTsnare1-7-05.wav
www.busticles.com/multiARTsnare1-7-05.wav