I want the DMP3!

[smtcharlie]

tone_alot, as you can see, there is much debate on this topic. There is at least one thread going at all times around here where someone asks, "should I get a better mic, or a better pre-amp, or a better, etc, etc, etc..."

And then there are a thousand opinions. Different gear works for different people - that's the beauty of all of this.

I think better pre-amps make tracks sound more "alive" in the details - a berry to a DMP3 (I have owned both) difference isn't going to blow your mind immediately when you plug it in.

When I first bought a Tampa, I recorded a few test tracks with it, a DMP3, and a Blue Tube. And with just one track, the difference was fairly slight. I was pretty upset, really.

But, I just did a re-mix of an old song today which I recorded on all Blue Tube pre's...and it sounded like a muddy mess. Things I'm doing with more Tampa end up much better.

So....for whatever that's worth...

 

[jonnyc]

I wonder if someone thru up a A/B blind test between the behringer pre and dmp3 if we would know which is which?

I did an A/B of my dmp3 and my ada8000. It took about 2 seconds to tell that the dmp3 is much much better sounding than the berhi. I even had some musicians that don't know anything about preamps take their pick and they all picked the dmp3.

 

[rayc]

Don't forget at that level of specs & quality control there's A LOT of scope for good unit/bad unit. Not to mention good set up/bad set up and good take/bad take.
Cheers
rayC

 

[travelin travis]

I did an A/B of my dmp3 and my ada8000. It took about 2 seconds to tell that the dmp3 is much much better sounding than the berhi. I even had some musicians that don't know anything about preamps take their pick and they all picked the dmp3.

perfect! can you post an A/B? i have no doubt the dmp3 is a cleaner pre than the berry but how much better? you are in the perfect position to exhibit the difference. how about it?

here's a free and quick mp3 host: www.lightningmp3.com

 

[jonnyc]

perfect! can you post an A/B? i have no doubt the dmp3 is a cleaner pre than the berry but how much better? you are in the perfect position to exhibit the difference. how about it?

here's a free and quick mp3 host: www.lightningmp3.com

I guess, that means I either gotta find that old comparison or do another. I'll see if I can't get something up in a day.

 

[travelin travis]

you're a good man jonnyc.

 

[travelin travis]

*bump ditty bump*

 

[jonnyc]

Be patient, I had a bad case of the upchucks for the last two days and I finally feel better this morning. I'm hoping to get to it by tonight.

 

[Humbucker]

I've had my DMP3 a little over a year and I absoloutely love it. Here's a rough mix of something I'm working on now. The bass was recorded direct in via the DMP3 and my Audiophile 192. Also all the lead/rhythm guitars were recorded direct in via my Korg AX1500G and the DMP3. Definetely awesome bang for buck, and perfect for a small home setup like mine.

 

[billv]

I've got a DMP3 and use it regularly. The first pre I owned was the lowest end M-Audio, the Audio Buddy. Huge difference between it and the DMP3. It's nothing fancy, just clean and quiet.

If you are interested, I've got some songs posted on my site. All were done with the DMP3. Mostly simple acoustic guitar stuff, so keep that in mind.

http://www.billvencil.com/music

Bill V.

 

[tdukex]

I started with a little berry mixer years ago. I then bought a Joemeek VC1Q and a DMP3. I really only use the DMP3 for acou guit, but on that instrument it is indeed "night and day" better then the berry IMO and even better than the VC1Q (which cost three times as much). It has a clear top end, not brittle like the berry, and the stereo field is much more pronounced and detailed. I relegated the berry to a headphone amp before I sold it a couple of years back.

 

[tone_aot]

It's gonna be a little while before i get that dmp3. I got a feeling somethings gonna go wrong on my car and i have to pay insurance/other bills. All i have to spare is $40. I'm thinking about selling my old speaker system(logitech surround system) on ebay to get enough for the dmp3. I really want to hear the preamp with my system. Gotta wait. Fedex delivered my Truth's today though so i'm very entertained at the moment. I don't regret buying those monitors one bit, regardless of all the horrible reviews. Those folks must have got bad sets.

 

[Treeline]

The Truth monitors have done a pretty good job of embarassing the naysayers. They are serious bang for the buck - as long as you understand there is a difference between entry level gear and high end gear. They really are decent monitors.

I have a DMP3 and got it for reasons similar to yours. I started with a Mackie CFX12 mixer and used it for everything; I have moved to another mixer but still use the CFX for yeoman duty. But its pres can be on the harsh side once you're out of the mids; there is a metallic edge to them at times.

I found the DMP3 made a significant difference, but it was in places where the CFX was really limited - for instance, in recording solo violin or flute. That's where the differences really stood out. And those continue to be the kinds of signal that drive me nuts because they are so complex. They remain beyond the ability of me or my gear, so it's a chase.

The DMP3 is rather quiet, pretty neutral in its character and a bit hot; the signal is robust and can be hotter than hell if you need it to be. You get a lot of gain if you need it. That translates to a surprising amount of headroom which the Behringer pres will be lacking.

Now that I'm working with a different mixer, I still use the DMP3 as a great DI box. It's a pretty versatile unit.

 

[raindogred]

nothing is worse than the sound of a behringer UB1002. A mate bought one around my place ages ago and I was horrified and pretty much labelled them as unusable. compared to other pre-amps I have, dmp3, alto, yamaha mixer, even a crappy smpro pr8 thing is better than the sound of those behringer "invisible" pres.

Anyone know what the new Behringer mic pres sound like??

 

[travelin travis]

i'm pretty curious about that one myself. i don't think behringer has released the new mixers yet.

 

[travelin travis]

johnnyc, what happened with this comparison?

 

[jonnyc]

johnnyc, what happened with this comparison?

I'm sorry, I've luckily been swamped in the studio lately on top of my day job. I promise before friday there will be samples. Oh yes, there will be samples. Apologies again to all.

 

[travelin travis]

Oh yes, there will be samples.

One question.....will there be samples? Don't mean to bug the hell out of you jonnyc. I'd just like to see the comparison materialize.

 

[jonnyc]

One question.....will there be samples? Don't mean to bug the hell out of you jonnyc. I'd just like to see the comparison materialize.

Oh yes. There.......will.......be........samples.

 

[Doug H]

I went from a cheap barringer hixer to a dmp3. The dmp3 was a step up for sure. Still, whereas the cheap mixer was too muddy, the dmp3 is too crisp and clean. I"m starting to want something better, especially to track my guitar amp.