ART Tube MP + FMR RNC VS. M-Audio Tampa

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Chamelee

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Will be used primarily for vocals.

Would you consider going from the Tube MP + RNC to the M-Audio Tampa a sidegrade or upgrade and why?
 
Never heard the Tampa... but the TubeMP is a door stop in a preamps clothing IMO. I can't see it being anything but an improvement. I think the Tampa has an insert, so you could probably mix/match using the Tampa compressor and the RNC. The RNC is exactly like it's name says, really nice, so no reason to dump that.
 
I have the Tampa and don't care for it too much. It's not bad by any means - the pre is a nice tiny bit sizzly to simulate tube behavior and the comp has a nice smooth soft response similar to the LA2a on vocals. If I were you, I'd keep the RNC and spend money on a nice pre. If you like the tube sound, go with The Brick, Electro Harmonics preamp or something from TL Audio. If you like a darker, solid state preamp, I'd suggest Joe Meek stuff in that range.
 
the tampa is anything but sizzly. it is nicely clear with a warm undertone. i bought another. great on vocals and bass guitar. the compressor is musical and easy to set if your new to compressors. i would certainly not think that a elektro harmonix or a brick is a step up. i mean the brick is all caught up in hype because its all tube and cheap. i say- who cares? any review ive seen is fuzzy at best. the electro harmonix looks like cheap junk. something you would make to get a passing grade in high school metal shop instead of making a bong hitter device. this is my take. if you need something for now get the tampa or rnp if you dont need a compressor. id say a real step up would be something like a great river or api. the new DAV mic 700$?pre has been getting alot of hype and great reviews to go along with it at least compared to the door stopper. elektroharmonixx.
 
gemsbok said:
the electro harmonix looks like cheap junk.
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How does it sound to you? I hear depth in the EH that I don't hear in other pres in that range. It's a weird preamp, but definitely doesn't sound cheap.

The Tampa has a tube simulator in it and can sound sizzly. Not a full on distortion, but a really subtle tubeness.
 
gemsbok said:
EH= enough gain? maybe marshalls on 11
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I find the EH has way too much gain. Is that what you're saying? It needs a gain pad, for sure.
 
Appreciate all the suggestions. I'm going to do some more research on the suggested preamps.
 
I have the ART Tube MP (and a dual MP) and as I got a little more experience recording I found them to be pretty noisy for mics. I got some nice results on acoustic guitars with them, but I usually go with the mic pres in my m-Audio OMNI over the ARTs. I haven't tried the other two (BTW, you probably mean RNP and not RNC, which is a compressor, but I think everyone picked that up).

If you do get an ART, keep if even if you say it sucks as a mic pre. It actually makes a pretty nice bass DI all by iteslf and I've gotten my favorite bass results by putting the Tube MP in front of my SansAmp Bass Driver.
 
DaveO said:
I have the ART Tube MP (and a dual MP) and as I got a little more experience recording I found them to be pretty noisy for mics. I got some nice results on acoustic guitars with them, but I usually go with the mic pres in my m-Audio OMNI over the ARTs. I haven't tried the other two (BTW, you probably mean RNP and not RNC, which is a compressor, but I think everyone picked that up).

If you do get an ART, keep if even if you say it sucks as a mic pre. It actually makes a pretty nice bass DI all by iteslf and I've gotten my favorite bass results by putting the Tube MP in front of my SansAmp Bass Driver.
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Thanks for the suggestion.

And I do mean the RNC. For further clarification, my question was is the ART Tube MP into the RNC chain considered a sidegrade or upgrade to using just the M-Audio Tampa (which includes a pre and comp).
 
Small step forward in the preamp department, but likely a sideways step in the compression department, that really can't be a fair comparison (one is a traditional VCA and the other is an opto). I'd go with the Tampa if it were me, but then again, your other option wouldn't totally suck either. Depends on what you're looking for, your needs and personal taste.

.
 
Chamelee said:
Thanks for the suggestion.

And I do mean the RNC. For further clarification, my question was is the ART Tube MP into the RNC chain considered a sidegrade or upgrade to using just the M-Audio Tampa (which includes a pre and comp).
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Oops, now that I re-read your post I got you. I'll sit down and be quiet now. :o
 
gemsbok said:
the tampa is anything but sizzly.
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i TOTALLY agree. the preamp in the Tampa is big, clear and clean. it does have a signature sound, but that sound is NOT "sizzly" in ANY sense of the word.

and ryan, what's with this "tube emulator" nonsense? there's no such thing in the Tampa. maybe you need to read your owners manual again. :p

i would DEFINITELY go with the Tampa over the ART/RNC combo. As chessrock said, the compressors in the two are completely different animals--but they're on the same "level". The preamp in the Tampa is FAR superior to the ART one. Everything i put into my Tampa comes out sounding very nice.


cheers,
wade
 
mrface2112 said:
i TOTALLY agree. the preamp in the Tampa is big, clear and clean. it does have a signature sound, but that sound is NOT "sizzly" in ANY sense of the word.

and ryan, what's with this "tube emulator" nonsense? there's no such thing in the Tampa. maybe you need to read your owners manual again. :p

i would DEFINITELY go with the Tampa over the ART/RNC combo. As chessrock said, the compressors in the two are completely different animals--but they're on the same "level". The preamp in the Tampa is FAR superior to the ART one. Everything i put into my Tampa comes out sounding very nice.


cheers,
wade
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Again, I'd like to thank everyone for your replies.

Wade and Gemsbok... could you please post or PM links to any songs with vocals you've tracked with the Tampa? Appreciate it.

I'm leaning towards selling both and picking up the Tampa. I need more clean gain from the preamp especially for any vocals I track with the SM7. I'm also liking how I'd have the option of bypassing 1/4" cables in favor of an S/PDIF connection on my audio interface.

Chamelee
 
Based on my very limited experience...
I have an ART tube Pac,a Joe Meek VC3Q and a Tampa.
Each one brings something different to the table,but the Tampa is head and shoulders over the ART.To me it's very clean sounding,both preamp and compressor.
 
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