DMP3 & RNC vs Focusrite Trakmaster

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cindyp16

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Hey there,

I want to feed a good quality signal into my DAW. It will mainly be vocals (with a Rode NT-1) and sometimes guitar amp miced up. I'm thinking of getting an M-Audio DMP3 or Studio Projects VTB-1 and an FMR RNC, but then I'm wondering whether I should get one of these all in one jobbies? The Focusrite Trakmaster comes to mind. I'm figuring, less cables/less connections potentially = better sound quality. Is this a fair statement, or am I way off the mark?

thanks

cindyp
 
If it was me I'd go with the DMP3 and the RNC. I haven't heard the Trackmaster, but the DMP3/RNC are both excellent units, and I don't think the combo can be beat in the <$400 range.
 
I agree with tdukex.
I agree that potentially you could add more noise with more cabling and connections. But I have tried the Focusrite and was not really impressed. I do own the DMP-3 and RNC combo and can attest it is a very nice combo for acoustic sources like voice and acoustic guitar.

I do have other pres such as RNPs and Joe Meeks and a few lowly ART tube MPs, and the DMP will always have a place in my rack. It is very quiet and clear.

Tom
 
Insert point

Tom,

Thanks for the info. As you have the same combo I am looking at perhaps you can tell me about your hook up. I have heard something about insert points. If I understand it correctly, there is an input on the preamp where you 'insert' the comp, thus avoiding the chain situation. Not sure is this is correct or whether the DMP3 allows this. Also I've heard that the DMP3 has a global 48v power switch so that you couldn't use a condenser and dynamic mic at the same time (say for double micing a gtr amp)

thanks again

cindyp
 
Howbout the Joemeek unit or the Presonus Tampa?? I'm almost positive I've seen "all-in-one" type of units from both of them in the same price range.. and from what I hear Joe Meek is no joke. I been contemplating getting the DMP3 and RNC combo myself but the way I see it if I can get a one really good unit for 400 bucks rather than two decent entry level units... I'd rather get the good unit and build from there... but what do i know anyway.. lol :D
Any sugestions!?!?
 
I have used the Joe Meek VC3Q and found the compressor section to be pretty noisy (maybe the VC6 is better in that respect?), it also imparts a certain sound to your recordings which you will either like or not, i.e. it's not transparent, I actually quite like it for my voice. I've also been looking at the Tampa, it's made by M-Audio I believe. I've read some pretty good things in the press about it, but a few on these forums have slated it, then again the guys that did are using like $2k mic preamps...ha dream on for most of us, me included!!
 
I have used the Joe Meek VC3Q and found the compressor section to be pretty noisy (maybe the VC6 is better in that respect?), it also imparts a certain sound to your recordings which you will either like or not, i.e. it's not transparent, I actually quite like it for my voice. I've also been looking at the Tampa, it's made by M-Audio I believe. I've read some pretty good things in the press about it, but a few on these forums have slated it, then again the guys that did are using like $2k mic preamps...ha dream on for most of us, me included!!
 
Hmmmm... I'm still in the same boat then.. lol. I guess the plus side to having a seperate Pre & Compressor is the flexibility.. but I have to believe that you can find a hell of a good product in the 400 dollar range rather than buying two decent entry level models for 150-175 each... or maybe not.. like I said before.. what the hell do I know anyway!
 
Keep in mind that at least with the DMP-3 you are getting 2 channels instead of one.
The DMP does not have inserts (the only thing I don't like about it) so you would have to go from the pre to the comp to the recorder.
The phantom power is indeed universal but it wont harm dynamics, although it might hurt certain ribbon mics or older vintage mics.
The vtb-1 is a single channel.The Tampa is a single channel.
I have a couple RNP / RNC combos (which use inserts) but that will set you back about 680 bucks.

You are starting to get into the price catagory of the oft ATC-2 which is a really nice stereo per / comp / eq (around $900 ish).

If you are looking to stay around the$300 mark I would still suggest the DMP /( RNC or ?) type combo.

Tom
 
D&R sells a two channel preamp for about $400 I believe. That will put you in a whole new quality bracket (maybe even two brackets) when compared to a DMP-3 or an SP preamp.
 
D & R??? I never heard of the Brand, is that short for something?
 
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