Focusrite Twintrak vs FMR RNP / RNC

[Rufus Leaking]

I know the FMR products are very popular and considered a great bang for the buck. Does anyone have any opinions on how they compare with the Focusrite platinum series processors?

Although saving a little money is not my concern, the Focusrite Twintrak is about $160 less than the FMR combo (mounted in a rack) and has some basic EQ and a latency free monitoring feature that looks pretty cool.

My main uses will be Electric guitar and vox, although I will probably also run keys, drum machines and bass through the pre as well.

I'm also looking for any other suggestions on a 2 channel preamp in the $700 dollar range (including used) that has some basic EQ. I don't really need to have the compression right now.

[Blue Bear Sound]

According to a local colleague, the Focusrite Platinum series is a perfect example of a company selling products based solely on prior reputation.......

[acorec]

Originally posted by Blue Bear Sound
According to a local colleague, the Focusrite Platinum series is a perfect example of a company selling products based solely on prior reputation.......

Your local colleage is a perfect example of an idiot.

[John Mayes]

I would suggest the FMR stuff. The only Focusrite Platinum stuff I've heard (vocalmaster pro or somthing) was a little harsh sounding. The RNC I know is a great compressor and I;ve heard nothing but good about the RNP...

[Middleman]

Guys, this subject is so old my face peels and I scream when I see this BS.

If you have not either owned stuff or played with stuff extensivley then, "I know someone who says" or "I have heard" is two steps away from valid, if not completely irrelevent.

From a pre-amp perspective, I have used the RNP and other of the Platinum stuff and the Voicemaster Pro is superior to the RNP on vocals. However, with the Twintrak, its a toss up. Both the RNP and TT are in the same league in my book.

Now you may think, with all those extra features the TT is the way to go. However for the sake of honesty, a lot of the extra features that Focusrite puts on the platinum line are marginally useful to just bad sounding. This is specially true of older platinum products and even to some extent some of the Voicemaster Pro special features. I have never used the de-esser to success and the brittle nature of the expander is hit and miss.

There is one thing that stands out on the newer platinum stuff however and that is the sound of the preamps. They are extremely musical and sit well in the mix and for the price should be at least tested and compared prior to dismissal.

Here is my reccomendation, for musical instruments the RNP or TT would both be great depending on the sound you are looking for. For vocals I would not use the TT, I would look at the VM Pro.

[acorec]

Originally posted by John Mayes
I would suggest the FMR stuff. The only Focusrite Platinum stuff I've heard (vocalmaster pro or somthing) was a little harsh sounding. The RNC I know is a great compressor and I;ve heard nothing but good about the RNP...

Funny. You have "heard" stuff about these units but never have used them?

I can get "harsh" sounds out of any pre-amp made anywhere in the world for any price imaginable.

[John Mayes]

Originally posted by acorec
Funny. You have "heard" stuff about these units but never have used them?

I can get "harsh" sounds out of any pre-amp made anywhere in the world for any price imaginable.

If oyu read again I pointed out that I had used the Focusrite as well as the RNC the only one I have not used is the RNP and I mentioned that and said that I have heard nothing but good things about it, and sure you can make *any* pre sound harsh but in my experience the VM pro seemed prone to sound like that... geez

[tubedude]

Originally posted by Middleman

From a pre-amp perspective, I have used the RNP and other of the Platinum stuff and the Voicemaster Pro is superior to the RNP on vocals. However, with the Twintrak, its a toss up. Both the RNP and TT are in the same league in my book.



.

You know, I have RNP's here as everyday preamps, I had some Focusrite Platinum stuff here that just didnt have the same ass as the RNP. I have to disagree that the Focusrite is superior in ANY way. But thats my opinion. Go RNP, be happier.

[Middleman]

"Focusrite Platinum Stuff"?????

That would be what models?

Most of the older stuff I would agree but the VM Pro and TwinTrak are upgraded versions. They are not the same as the older line. And I have the RNP so I can put them side by side.

I would always opt for the RNP on acoustic guitar but on vocals the VMPro has more pazzaz.

[acorec]

Originally posted by tubedude
You know, I have RNP's here as everyday preamps, I had some Focusrite Platinum stuff here that just didnt have the same ass as the RNP. I have to disagree that the Focusrite is superior in ANY way. But thats my opinion. Go RNP, be happier.

I have a VM pro and an RNP. The RNP is great for some things, but the VM pro is better for vocals and better for some things too.

For vocals, the VM pro is all over the RNP though.
This will not change for me and is my opinion.
But, it is a big mistake to always recommend the RNP and trash the VM pro. The RNP is good, but it is definately overated and gets more legendary as time goes on. It is becoming like word of mouth legend based more on people who DON'T use it.

It now probably beats pres that are 10X more expensive (according to the stories around here).

[Blue Bear Sound]

Originally posted by acorec
Your local colleage is a perfect example of an idiot.

Since I know who I'm referring to and you don't, I'll tend to disagree with your "enlightened" opinion.... but anyways....


Notice that I started my post with the disclaimer FWIW.... meaning it was a 2nd-hand opinion and "read it for what it's worth" -- the implication then is "if it's not worth anything to you, don't fuckin' read it!"

[Teacher]

Originally posted by Middleman
[Bside by side.

I would always opt for the RNP on acoustic guitar but on vocals the VMPro has more pazzaz. [/B]

but wouldn't that depend on the MIC in question?

my experience :
mackie and rnp on a cheap marshal condenser...very similar

mackie and rnp on SM7....ooooo lord what a difference...

guess who won out buy a LAAAANNNNNNDDDDDDDD Slide....

not saying the focusrite couldn't be superior but just saying the focusrite is better for vox is kinda invalid cuz it does depend on the mic as well as the singer...

[Middleman]

Funny you should ask about which mic.

I did a test using the following mics:

NTK
Marshall 67G
SM57
Oktava MC012-01
Marshall 990
SP C1
Samson Co1

I am the king of cheap mics!!!

I used the following pres:

DMP3
RNP
Focusrite original Voicemaster
Focusrite Voicemaster Pro
Soundcraft Live board

I am also the king of cheap pres! Except for the VMPro.

The results were fairly consistant across all the mics.

Here is how I rated the results for vocals.

Good
#1 VM Pro and the NTK
#2 VM Pro and the V67G

Ok
#3 RNP and the NTK
#4 RNP and the V67G

Background vocals only
#5 This was a tie between the Soundcraft and the DMP3 on NTK and V67G

In the vein of different and unusual
#6 The 990 and the Oktava were a tie on all the pres. Not the same just similar in overall impression.

The other mics did not produce anything vocally I would want to keep or mix. Exceptions were that the 57 did well on background vocals in all places, the Samson is a peice of junk that I took back. The C1 has brittle and warbling highs so I sold it.

No I am not going to put all of the files up for eveyone to hear because when all was said and done it was 35 files of tests which took up too much space on my drive and so I deleted the whole affair once I was satisfied with the results and made my decision.

The original Voicemaster was not an option for something I would want to use all the time. I returned it.

On acoustic guitar the RNP and DMP3 I favor over the VM Pro. The RNP for a nice high end, the DMP3 for the mid-range push. All of this depending on the type of acoustic sound I want.

On Bass, the VM Pro is my favorite becase the compressor in the box smashes it real nice.

Other items of note: Baritone male singer.

One mans experience.