Mindprint DI port vs DMP3

  • Thread starter Thread starter JuSumPilgrim
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JuSumPilgrim

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I think mindprint's DI-port has been overlooked by the hordes stampeding for the DMP3. The DI-port is the definitive dual channel pre solution at $250 (at sam ash). Forgetting about the AD/DA conversion which is better than average (105dB noise floor) and can be used on its own as a converter..it has 2 class A pres. The same pre that is in the envoice which is more open, more detailed and transparent than the DMP3...The DI-port pres have that very fine sheen that the DMP3s sort of have which is a nice airiness but is much finer and clearer on the DI-port. The kind of fineness where you hear whats going on bet 18k-20k. Its also better on transients. I just picked one up on closeout for $200. The cheapest class A dual pre out there.
 
Jusum,

Thanks for the info. I couldn't find it anywhere on Sam Ash's web site. I take it they're only sold at the store level?
 
No prob, chessrock.

I think it may be only at the sam ash store level but its worth ordering through your local store if need be.
 
Hmmm. One left. Hope I can make it out there Friday before they run out. Thanks for the tip.
 
Just one note though. Theres no line out so youre stuck with SPDIF out and the converters in the DI-port, which are good-- but only do 44.1/24 and 48/24. Thats not an issue for me but may be an issue for those recording at 96 or 88.2.
 
Actually, it looks like there are line outs from the pics on this page:

http://www.mindprint.com/english/proddp.htm

I guess they're labelled as "monitor outs" but they should work the same. They're on dual RCAs and a stereo 1/4", so they'd have to be unbalanced.

From Pro Audio Review's fairly positive review of the DI-Port:

Though it doesn't have analog outputs dedicated to the preamps, you can get a pure preamp signal from the monitor jacks if you crank the mix control fully clockwise.
Click to expand...

Anyone wanna pick one of these up for me? :D
 
Good call, Dolemite.

I only had a few minutes yesterday to screw with it and I was getting annoyed trying to figure out a way to get a line out so I could run it with my RNC. I tried the monitor outs yesterday but they didnt work bec the mix knob on the front was turned all the way toward digital instead of analog. Its all good now.
 
Very nice.

I assume one can also bypass the preamp stage and use it strictly as an a/d converter?
 
Yeah you can totally use it as a converter. Theres 1 digital in and 2 unbalanced ins on the back just for that. Theres also a button on the front which disables the pres and only accepts the ins on the back so that its just a converter. They claim in the manual that their conversions are more linear than most soundcards. I can tell you that their is no discernable dif bet the DI-port converters and the delta 1010 converters after tracking some vocals through both. Just some rough comparisons. I may not say that in 2 weeks though after doing a songs worth of vocals and guitar through it.

The ultimate test for me is always after stacking up the tracks.
 
. . . as it should be.

I get the feeling, though, that there's no way this thing can really disappoint. Even if the converters suck, then at least I get a couple of good pres for 2 hundredge.

I'm just worried that I might become like all the other Mindprint users. You know, going around posting like a mad fool all over the board stuff like MINDPRINT ENVOICE ROCKS ! ! ! ! GET ONE ! ! Maybe it's just the Envoice users, though, so I might still be safe. I get the feeling that if Chris Farley were a home wrecker, he'd probably be an Envoice user.

(Sigh!) Maybe then he could have channeled his energies in more positive means . . . like on the bbs, saying stuff like "The Envoice . . . is not . . . 'the NORM!' " God rest his soul.

Maybe the Envoice fans should take a lesson from the Joemeek guys. Joe Meek fans are much more practical, laid-back, and philosophical like Mike Brady from TV's "the Brady Bunch." You know . . . always spouting out their philosophies like broken records:

"Well Bobby, you know what they say: if it sounds good, it is good."

"Jan, just like with the Joemeek, people will either love you or they'll hate you."

"Greg, it's not about being the next 'Johnny Bravo.' It's about being Greg Brady. And if Greg Brady sounds good, then he is good. It's not the gear, it's the ear."
 
I got one just last week to use with my Digi001. Only used it briefly so far but sounds good. Will report more after next session.
Mark
 
Actually, Chessrock, we are in the midst of a war here bet good and evil, right and wrong, humanity and inhumanity, the mindprint and joe meek, the envoice and the VC1Q. What appears to most people to be a never ending debate on personal preference is actually much more fundamental than that. The gear you use has cosmic significance and it is clear to me that envoice users are going to heaven and joe meek users to purgatory. For instance in the movie, the lord of the rings, the telepathic and educated elves were envoice users while the coarse and evil orcs were joe meek users. Examples of this divide are many and too numerous too mention here. :D

Alternatively, the brainlike diagram in the mindprint logo on my envoice is actually a subliminal message that compels me to tell everyone I meet about the envoice. For instance, I met my great uncle last week and he told me he was constipated. I asked him if he'd tried the envoice, he admitted he hadnt so I invited him down to my studio and after ooohhing and aaahhhing for a few minutes he listened to the envoice. After about 14 and half minutes he had had quite enough and asked to use the bathroom. He emerged a few minutes later a new man and asked where he could get his own envoice. Once again the envoice worked its magic where similarly priced units failed miserably. The diversity of the envoice is truly baffling.

I cant speak for other mindprint guys but everyone has a couple of pieces of gear that they like more than a little, that they rave about...alot. The envoice is a standout in terms of quality pre/EQ/ and compression. Its the only channel strip in that range that managed to take the idea of gain stage tubing and a class A pre and make it sound thick and up front without sacrificing transparency and detail. That made me jump up and down every time I tracked a vocal through it. Although I take it a bit more for granted now (my envoice and I have settled into the day to day mundanity of a long term relationship) I am still aware of its uniqueness in the $500 range. The only reason I posted about the DI-port is bec of its similarity to the DMP3 which enjoys a large and (earned) enthusiastic following.
 
hey jusumpilgrim,

I like the envoice on everything I've heard it on. A friend of mine is looking for a pre for less than $300 and he was going to get a vc6q, but I cant find it anymore for $299.
It seems like this pre might fit the bill VERY well. I had totally forgot about it.

If you have an sm58(this is what he uses) kindly post a short vocal sample so that I can let him hear what it sounds like. If you dont have an sm58, any mic will do.

This sounds quite exciting

Thanks
 
Hey Jusum,

I'm just worried about you, that's all. I'm afraid if I were to ever pop by your studio, I might find you all orkish-looking, hunched over your Mindpring uttering "My p-r-e-c-i-o-u-sss. "

I suppose I could always call Gandolph (definitely a Meek guy) over to the rescue: "Jusum, my child. It appears you have divorced your good senses. Don't you understand that if it sounds good, it IS . . . good ?" :)
 
Hey Jusum,

I'm just worried about you, that's all. I'm afraid if I were to ever pop by your studio, I might find you all orkish-looking, hunched over your Mindpring uttering "My p-r-e-c-i-o-u-sss. "

I suppose I could always call Gandolph (definitely a Meek guy) over to the rescue: "Jusum, my child. It appears you have divorced your good senses. Don't you understand that if it sounds good, it IS . . . good ?" :)

By the way, was that your Great Uncle I saW posting on the Hemmorhoid forum . . . "GET THE MINDPRINT AND YOUR BUTT WILL THANK YOU ! ! ! "
 
Now you really got me confused!

I mean, I was thinking about getting a Meek VC1Q AND a M-Audio DMP-3, so I'd have 3 channels of very nice gain, 3 very cool VU-meters, and the optional coloring of the Meek.
Because by that time (this upcoming september) I'll have a nice condenser to go with my current SM57 and a Sennh. e609.

But now I'm confused whether to get the DI-Port instead of the DMP-3.
The DI-Port has digital outs.
The DMP-3 has VU-meters AND a 30dB pad AND a phase reverse-switch.

Hmmm...
I got like 4 options now:
1) Meek VC1Q + DMP-3 (my fav.)
2) Meek VC1Q + DI-Port
3) Envoice + DMP-3 (my 2nd fav.)
4) Envoice + DI-Port (this would be 3 channels of MindPrint stuff... I dunno about that. Less options; color, etc...)
HELP ME!
 
According to their web site specs and pics there is an analog out labeled A/D out.

Speedy- Dont forget about the FMR RNMP. It should be available just as your ready to make a decision ;)
 
I was doing some more digging-

They actually market the DI more for its DAC than as a mic pre. They mention towards the end of the description that, sure, it works great as a mic pre also. Is it the same pre as the Envoice?

It does look like a great external DAC for tracking and monitoring.

Pilgrim, Please let us know what you think of it as you use it more. Particularly with your RNC.
 
It is the same pre as the envoice. I will post some clips next week of some layered vocals using an NT2 and C1 and sm57 (for cyanjaguar). So far Ive used it the last couple of days with the RNC using the monitor outs. The converters are about equal to the 1010. Maybe the 1010 is a hair more defined. Maybe not.
 
Hey Speed, stop stressing out! :)

(Like I'm one to talk)

Any and all of the options you mentioned all sound fine. Flip a coin, or just get whichever of those that you think you might be able to get a good deal on.
 
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