Dmp-3

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peacock72

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I've read the countless threads and reviews about the DMP-3's transparency and gain, but I'm a bit confused as far as it's "sound" is concerned. As far as transparency and sound is concerned, if I used one with my Korg D1600, will I basically be getting the same cold, digital tone, just with added headroom? Or does the DMP-3 take off some of that cold bite in digital tone? Thanks!
 
The best you can hope for in the $200 price range is something that will make the keyboard sound . . . the way it sounds. :D Novel concept, but the dmp3 will do that. If you're looking to alter the way it sounds, then look to an effects box.

The idea of a mic pre smoothing away some of the "cold digital tone" you're refering to is mostly a myth.

The reason certain digital noisemakers sound "digital" is most likely because of inferior analog-to-digital converters and/or low resolution: For example, a jittery wordclock can impart some y-u-c-k-y artifacts commonly recognized as bad digital. Recording at very low resolutions with bad converters can sound like . . . well . . . pure shit, for lack of a better term. Robotic. Listen to something converted to 8-bit, or a low-fi MP3 stream for an example of what I'm refering to.

Bad or poorly-maintained analog gear can also impart it's own set of nasty artifacts . . think of the terms wow, flutter, and hiss.

The most likely culprit, sadly, is probably going to be your keyboard. If you plug it in, and what's coming out of it doesn't sound right to begin with, there isn't much you can do to help it out without drastically changing the sound -- in that case, you might just consider running it through a guitar amp, or an amp simulator (like a POD, sansamp, or similar). Maybe even a big muff pie. :D

If all you're looking for is a very subtle effect -- perhaps adding some fuzz, or a bit of a low-fi effect, then a cheapo tube preamp might be what you're looking for. ART Tube MP, Studio Projects VTB-1, etc. Just don't expect a night-and-day difference, and don't be upset if it makes your tone soun dirty or if you lose some clarity / resolution. It should be looked at as an effect.
 
Sound advice, but I thought the Korg D1600 is digital multitrack recorder and not a keyboard.
What is a "big muff pie" anyhow?
 
oops. missed that one, I'm so used to Korg making keyboards.
In that case, it really all depends, again, on the source and how good you feel about the quality of the Korg's a/d converters.

You can't reasonably expect to "warm something up" without bringing with it some sort of artifcats -- which can also have the negative effect of clouding it up and/or layering several tracks worth of muck. :D Not necessarily going to happen, but there's always that danger.

The Big Muff Pie is a distorion pedal made popular by a lot of grunge and indie artists. Basically sounds like running your guitar through a chain saw.
 
A Big Muff PI is a guitar stompbox used for distortion, and compresses the signal with its electronics just a bt to add some
sustain. It was a huge contributer to the mid-90's grunge sound (dinosaur jr, soul asylum, the bosstones' white record, mudhoney)

It's all over the Smashing Pumpkins MELANCHOLY AND THE INFINITE SADNESS...check it out

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...6060171949/g=home/search/detail/base_id/54825

I think Chessrock was a little confused- the D1600 is a digital recorder. I've heard them, and I don't think they necessarily sound harsh and painfully digital. They don't sound like a four-track cassette, but I don't think I'd call it a "cold bite" The DMP3 won't help this much, except just to add a chain of analog circuitry.

Peacock- If the sound of the Korg is unbearable, look into a tube microphone...or a high quality channel strip. If you subscribe to HomeRecording magazine (or wish to order an back issue) check out the February issue. There's a whole article on 'warming' up (whatever that means) your digital tracks.

Best of Luck
Chris
 
Digital doesn't make things sound cold. Crappy analog equipment and bad converters is what makes things sound cold.

Digital audio media - even inexpensive ones - "hear" better than you'd think. You put crap into them, you'll get crap back out.

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
 
I think the whole converter issue is what keeps popping up. Nothing against the Korg in particular, but I don't know of too many portable digital multi-trackers that do a particularly stellar job in that department. Perhaps a dedicated, outboard A/D would be a more worhwhile investment.
 
I too use a Korg D1600. I use a Korg Trinity V3, a Korg Pa80, a DMP3 and a Studio Projects TB-1 tube mic with it, and it sounds just fine to me. It does work best to use a good mic preamp and turn the trims all the way down on the Korg because it's preamps aren't the best (neither are most of the other "reasonably" priced DRS preamps regardless of who makes them).

I certainly have no complaints about "cold digital" sound.

Tom
 
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