M Audio dmp3 or presonus digitube...

[Glenn Cimera]

Recording with my Fostex VF80 and MXL 603s mics, I need to turn the trim up to about 90% to get a solid recording....this seems to also cause some hiss ( and very low beeping, sometimes) in the background that goes away with the trim turned lower. Would a mic pre-amp like the M Audio DMP 3 or Presonis digitube allow me to record a strong signal w/o having to turn my recorder's trim up so high? Any comments regarding either pre's for acoustic guitar?
Thanks for the guidance, folks. I'm quite new to this stuff!

 

[scrubs]

The DMP3 is a fairly hot little preamp (+66dB, I believe). I rarely turn up the gain more than halfway when recording acoustic guitar with a pair of 603s.

 

[paddyponchero]

Recording with my Fostex VF80 and MXL 603s mics, I need to turn the trim up to about 90% to get a solid recording....this seems to also cause some hiss ( and very low beeping, sometimes) in the background that goes away with the trim turned lower. Would a mic pre-amp like the M Audio DMP 3 or Presonis digitube allow me to record a strong signal w/o having to turn my recorder's trim up so high? Any comments regarding either pre's for acoustic guitar?
Thanks for the guidance, folks. I'm quite new to this stuff!

Definitely the DMP3 - you can't get enough gain on the presonus without turning up the tube gain which most of the time is not what you want.

I have a tube pre on my desk for repair at the moment and am not impressed with the design - not much thought in there at all except the cost factor.

 

[cellardweller]

Using the unbalanced inputs on my MR8, I wasn't able to get the gain that I'd heard so much about (from the DMP3), so I bought TRS to XLR cables and that problem was remedied.

Does the VF80 have balanced and unbalanced inputs?

 

[tdukex]

The DMP3 and MXL603s is an excellent budget combo IMO. For acoustic guit I use that combo often.

 

[thehook]

what would be the advantage of recording the acoustic with two mics?

 

[mcolling]

The advantage is that you get your recording in stereo!

 

[scrubs]

Two mics, appropriately placed, are able to capture more of the sonic spectrum of an acoustic guitar. This is especially nice for sparse arrangements which feature the acoustic as a primary instrument, because you can get a really big sound. A single mic tends to work better for mono recordings and denser arrangements where the acoustic is just there for texture.

 

[kid klash]

DMP3 = clean signal at any gain level...
Presonus DigiToob = fuzzy signal when cranked up.

If it was me, I'd go with the DMP3 to record an acoustic guitar with your SDC mics.

 

[Reggaesoldier]

Chalk me up under the DMP3. Cheap presonus gear just isn't worth the hassel. And good luck getting any tone out of the tube if you decide in favor of the presonus.

 

[baekgaard]

The DMP3 is definitely good bang for the buck. Compared to many other cheaper preamps and mixers, it has a pretty clean sound with lots of headroom, and as much gain as needed without getting any distortion.

Rgds,


-- Per.