DMP3 is sicknasty. Mixer with it?

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mikeeb

Whats the best RAP MIC??!
Hey guys, hope everyone is having a good weekend. Yesterday I got my DMP3 and have been toying around with it. It sounds pretty great, but i am using it with a Shure Pg58 so it sounds only decent. Soon, I will invest in a KSM44 or AT4060 and i am sure it will sound good. My question is, that since i have an RP350, can i use it as my mixer and how would i go about doing this. Also, would that improve my sound at all for vocals and guitar? My idea is that I would plug one cable from my guitar into my DMP3. Then, I would have one cable going from the DMP3 to my guitar amp. Last, I would have a 1/8" to 1/4" cable going from my computer to my DMP3? Is this correct? Will adding the RP350 help or ruin the sound? Would I use my amp if i was using the RP350? All questions that if you could answer any of, I would greatly appreciate. Sorry I am such a noob but i have been trying really hard to learn this stuff on here. Thanks guys and have a great week!
 
Ok my 2 cents...

The DMP3 is a microphone and line input preamp. THats it.

First off, a common signal path would include the following:

Mic-->PreAMP-->Audio Interface-->Multitrack Software

I dont see what sound card you are using? Are we assuming the basic PC sound card with 1/8 connectors?

I dont know what a RP350 is, unless its the digitech pedal. In which case I dont see a pedal used as a mixer.

My idea is that I would plug one cable from my guitar into my DMP3. Then, I would have one cable going from the DMP3 to my guitar amp

I dont see the purpose in the line above. Dual Gain Stages. No real reason here. If you are going to plug directly into the DMP3, I would rather just record the dry signal to your mutlitrack and add a plug in effect.


Of course you could just simplify it and do what anybody else would do. Mic your guitar amp.

I hope I didnt confuse you and wish you luck.
 
Sorry I am so confused at this. Basically, I would use a 1/4' from my guitar to the direct in of the DMP. Then, I used a 1/4' cable from my amp to my pre amp. Last, I would use a 1/8' to 1/4' cable going from my other direct in on my DMP3 to my line in on my computer in the back of it? Is this how i am supposed to do this? I don't know what you mean by audio interface. I never bought a different sound card, i only have the one that came with my gateway desktop computer. I am really unsure how i can get the pre amp to help with microphones or guitars and record them on the computer.
 
for guitar, id go from the guitar into the rp350 and straight to the soundcard/interface line input...
 
for guitar, id go from the guitar into the rp350 and straight to the soundcard/interface line input...

Well it has a USB plug that I can use...I also want to do vocals though. How would i go about doing this? I have plenty of cables so I just need some advice.
 
vocals = mic into dmp3, from line out of dmp3 to soundcard/interface line in..
 
Im assuming your soundcard has 1/8 inch inputs so if you have a 1/4 in to 1/8 in cable, use that to go from dmp3 to soundcard...
 
Yo Mikeeb! I think I understand what you are trying to do. The RP350 by Digitech is a modeling guitar pedal/interface with a mixer sritch, balanced XLR outs, a 2X2 USB out, and a 1/8" aux in. (this info is just for the guys who are trying to help you). Your problems include the fact that the RP350 isn't a very good mixer, and your soundcard sucks. Furthermore, you only have one mic. If you use the RP350 as a mixer, that (I think) means you use it in mixer mode, which I think will disable the guitar effects (but maybe not).

This is my best guess- The vocal mic goes to the DMP-3. Use the low output range. The output goes to the RP350 aux in. The guitar goes straight to the RP350, and you use the USB out, which will bypass your cruddy soundcard. The main thing you need is a soundcard designed for recording with multiple inputs. There are affordable models by M-audiio. You already have a fair number of inputs, but no way to get them to your computer with multiple simultaneous signals. Right now, you are limited to 2, by USB, and the RP350, although a perfectly good modeling pedal, is not a good mic preamp or a good mixer. Best of luck-Richie
 
Hey guys thanks for all the help. Heres the thing Rich; I went out and bought a DMP3, two 1/8' to 1/4' wires, a new 1/4' instrument cable, and have the pg58. My other option for a computer to use is a Dell dimension 3000. The sound card may be better on that and has been fine for recording in the past. I do not understand why when i plug my mic into the mic input 1 and a 1/8 to 1/4 in output 1 on the DMP3 to the line in in the back of the computer, why it does not work. I only get a vibrating noise from the fan, but the DMP3 and the mic does not pick up. I do not need the RP350, just thought it would make it work. So basically my question is, which soundcard is better. The Dell or the Gateway for recording. If it is the Dell, which way should i set this up step by step with the cables i have and the sound card in the back of the PC. I do not want to use the RP350 if it will sacrafice sound. I just want to use the mic or guitar into the DMP3 into the PC. I should have the right cables to do this. I am sorry but i feel like this is the best place i can possibly post my questions. I would rather you guys make fun of me than for me to fry my stuff trying to do this myself. So i trust you guys, anyone think they can help?
 
First, Richie has some good advice. Try what he suggested and see where it leads.

Second, no off the shelf computer will have a soundcard or motherboard / soundthingie that is up to this task. They play back fairly well and at least the Soundblasters are good midi cards, but that's about it.

So if you're using the computer's soundcard, do not use the "mic in" input because that signal is routed through an abysmally crappy preamp - better than a telephone but not much better.

Instead, use the "line in" input, which is probably a stereo input. Your pedal and the DMP3 each produce a line level signal.

Finally, if you can use the USB connection and get signal into the machine, do it. You will bypass lots of questionable and unneccesary circuitry.
 
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm


Mike, before you put any more money in this, go to the above link and read. There is no point to buying nice microphones and freestanding preamps then feeding them into a built in computer soundcard.

That link should keep you busy for awhile but is pretty informative for noobs. Read all you can before spending your money.
 
Thanks guys. Mill, I will read this again and check out what I really need. I guess the question is before I buy a condenser, is which sound card should i get thats below $200?
 
Yo Mikeeb! It doesn't matter what cruddy computer soundcard you use. They aren't made for recording music. Tim O'Brien left a very good post here:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=280444

Seriously, it's a very useful post. See rule #1-you *must* replace the built in soundcard.- or- as I am suggesting that you do in the short term-bypass it by going in with a digital signal by USB or firewire. All you want to do is plug the +4dBu line level output of a DMP-3 into the line in of a soundcard that is looking for the -10dBV output of a consumer line level device, but basically, you can't. Built-in computer soundcards aren't designed to accept a professional line level input. Aside from that, they are generally a $1 component designed to process game sounds.

So- there's only 2 ways to get around that. 1. Replace the soundcard with one that is built for recording. or- 2. Use an external interface with an analog-to-digital convertor, that can feed the computer a digital signal. As you already have a fairly good preamp that doesn't have digital output, the soundcard version seems to make more sense for you.

For under $200, I like this one- It will only give you 2 simultaneous inputs, but that is all you are asking for:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=25046&Category=Audio_Interfaces

For more channels, consider the M-Audio 1010 Delta- 10 simultaneous ins, about $240.

In the meantime, you can experiment with using your pedal for A-D conversion, as I outlined above. Best of luck.-Richie
 
Richie your the man haha. I will def. look into the sound card and I'll probably end up getting it. So basically, after I get it, will I need any other cables to hook up my speakers or whatever? You guys hand feeding me here lol.
 
AHHHHHHHHHHH..Okay so now i just read tweaks thing and i need a software driver too? =[..Can anyone tell me everything I am going to need to make a pretty good recording? I have a DMP3 pre amp. Now i need a sound card. Will i then need a mixer and then a software driver? I am barely even old enough to get a real job, how am I supposed to pay for all this :(..haha alright well I will get over it.


I found one for $176. How does it look?

http://cgi.ebay.com/M-AUDIO-Delta-1...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50
 
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I used a delta 1010 for a long time, I needed to change of out when I got my new mac because I the whole PCI express thing. I have a echo audiofire 12 now and It was a fairly decent upgrade. Anyway, for remote recording I have been using a presonus inspire and it is ok, gives me a coupe of preamps and some direct ins. As far as software goes, I hear reaper is pretty good, I've never used it. I think the inspire came with some sort of recording g software, but I use cubase. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't think you can use the guitar interface and another audio interface at the same time.
 
Yeah REAPER is great. I already have a pre amp i just need to know if i need that sound card and if i need the other driver with it
 
You need an audio interface and the software drivers will be on the installation disc that comes with it.
 
You need an audio interface and the software drivers will be on the installation disc that comes with it.

Would i just be able to use a sound card instead of the audio interface and still get the software drivers?
 
Would i just be able to use a sound card instead of the audio interface and still get the software drivers?
Every piece of hardware for a computer needs a driver, windows automatically installs the most popular ones... If your computer makes any sound at all (outside of fan noise) the drivers are already installed... and yes, a new soundcard comes with drivers
 
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