Rane FMI 14 preamp/EQ?

[alba123]

I've seen these pop up occasionally on Ebay. Does anyone here have experience with this unit? If so what do you like and dislike about it? I've done a search on Google and turned up next to nothing on it. Thanks

[teainthesahara]

Old thread, but i just got some experience with this preamp. I quickly tried some vocals, through and RE-11 through the Rane FMI, a VTB-1, and a symetrix 528.

All the pre's mentioned above are of the 'clean and clear' variety. The VTB-1 gave the most 'aggressive' sound of the bunch (pronounced midrange perhaps?), and the impedence switch gave some nice, noticeable sonic options using the RE-11. The symetrix 528, which is what i ended up using for that session, gave a nice, silky smooth sound - a bit more 'hifi' than the VTB-1. The Rane FMI shared more in common with the symetrix, but did have its own sound. It was less 'aggressive' sounding than the VTB-1, and a bit 'thinner' than the symetrix 528. The EQ section on the Rane sounded good, as judged from the few minutes i spent tweaking it before moving on to the symetrix. Oh yeah, the rane could be turned up pretty loud, and still be whisper quite, just like the VTB-1, and not like the symetrix 528 (although the 528 isnt that bad in the noise department).

So, no complaints about the rane so far...although i need to hear what it sounds like over a bunch of tracks in a mix. For the 99$ i paid for it, it strikes me as being worthwhile, useable pre with some good eq. What surprised me the most however, was the freaking beat up 18$ electrovoice RE-11 that i had used for the first time. That mic has it's own signature sound...not as 'detailed' as my MD421, or 'silky' as my condensors, but that midrange smoothness...just sweet! A very cool, thick and smooth rock n' roll vocal sound - and no eq needed to get it!

[alba123]

Thanks for your in depth comparison of these units. It was very helpful. I'll be looking for an RE11! Thanks Again, Don