DMP3 vs RNP

[chessrock]

Of all the things that have come and gone from my rack, the DI port was one of the more interesting pieces. Unusually good converters for the price, but over time, I think I would have gone treble-deaf if everything were tracked with it.

Seriously though, mindprint has probably the highest impedence of anything on the market, budget or otherwise. It will do one thing really well, and that's load a mic right down. A useful shade, but not entirely neutral.

There are things I liked about the RNP, grace, Sytek and Earthworks. They all seem to deliver a good solid image, and as long as I can get that, I figure I can handle the rest from there. But from my experience, Sytek beat anything else in it's class, hands-down, on drums.

As for the budget ones, I'm pretty convinced I like the sound of anything that utilizes the Burr-brown INA163 instrument amp (dmp3, Rane ms1b, Grace). I have a Rane MS1-B, and I like it even better than the Sytek on accoustic guitar. And I think I like the dmp3 better on electric guitar. Go figure. But Sytek just rules on drums, and the JFET channels aren't bad for vocals, either -- so it sits right here in my rack where it's earned a spot.

But who even knows? All of this stuff is just so subtle (and subjective), I don't know that I have the kind of ear it takes to really tell the difference. Maybe I should leave that to the audiophiles.

 

[mrface2112]

i'm with richie here.....you're definitely lacking in terms of a good dynamic, and i'd also say that you could use a good compressor.

let's see.....$700 can go a long way. maybe look into an EV RE20 or an sm7 (each around $300 used), and i'd couple that with an RNC (around $150 used). that'll take care of your good dynamic and decent compressor.

throw an mxl v69 ($250 tube mic) into the mix, and that'd take care of your $700, it'll get you some definitely different sounds as well as some significant upgrades.


wade

 

[mrface2112]

i'm with richie here.....you're definitely lacking in terms of a good dynamic, and i'd also say that you could use a good compressor.

let's see.....$700 can go a long way. maybe look into an EV RE20 or an sm7 (each around $300 used), and i'd couple that with an RNC (around $150 used). that'll take care of your good dynamic and decent compressor.

throw an mxl v69 ($250 tube mic) into the mix, and that'd take care of your $700, it'll get you some definitely different sounds as well as some significant upgrades.


wade

 

[still4given]

Hmmm, seems like a few of you like the big dynamics. I've always been intrigued by the SM7 though they seem hard to find in stores. I don't know anythng about the EV mics. Probably for the same reason.

I'll try to find somewhere here in the Los Angeles that carries them so I can try one out. From the threads I've read about the RNC it seems like a no-brainer. I probably should just order one of those for what they cost. I'm not sure I like the idea of buying used mics through the mail. You never know where they've been, if you get my meaning.

Right now the mics that seem to interest me the most are the B.L.U.E. Dragonfly and the KSM 44. I haven't heard either of them but I just keep hearing good things about them. The NTK seems interesting too but I hear a lot of folks say it is a bright mic and that scares me a little. I would like to add a tube mic though just to hear what all the fuss is about.


Soooo, I think I'll go ahead and order an RNC and then I would like to hear what folks think about the KSM 44 and the B.L.U.E. Dragonfly as vocal mics. I have the KSM 32 and am not real keen on it for vocals. It's just a little to subdued.

Thanks again, Terry

 

[geekgurl]

Hi JuSum [and Chessrock]! this is very helpful info for me as well; I had also had a PM conversation with you about this particular product comparison way back when. Good to see you back! I haven't been around much myself, as I'm not recording much right now, but this is indeed helpful for the near future.

Between the recommendations of you and Chessrock, my next recording purchases will be a Shure KSM32 and an RNP. That should hold me for a while ...

Whats up, Chessrock.

I recall emailing you shortly after getting the RNP in the beginning of the year and saying that for the most part it was not a huge step up over the DI-port pres but alas a mix or two later I changed my mind. The depth, as in 3Dness (or lack of) and tone when distributed over several tracks just aint in the same class. The mindprint still owns the 2-4k range and if youre in a darkish low mid sounding room, they will rock your world. Otherwise, as far as mid mids, bottom and extended top goes the RNP wins all the way. Same goes for the Grace and Sytek. The Grace wins on imaging, as in any distance micing. But tonewise its bland and clean and not 'enriched' like the RNP. The Syteks sound slighty smaller and more closed than the RNP. I suppose some would call that more 'neutral.'