We are lucky. As an older fart newbie, I don't have a lot of experience with high end equipment, but I have expensive tastes. I like quality. Unfortunately, I have to live within certain limits. That means, I'm a bargain hunter. I must get the most useable bang for the buck, without really having a chance to use the gear first. I depend on people like Dot and Harvey and other average users like me to give good objective reviews and opinions. Yeah, I have to sort through it, find the biases and the people whose tastes are closer to mine, but this is one of my best resources. Thank you.
So, 2 perspectives on this post. First, too many times I read reviews where egos and headtrips get in the way of useful knowledge. So many times through this post you guys have kept pulling it back into the positive productive realm. I appreciate that. Second..well second gets it's own paragraph.
I buy based upon several criteria:
1. How does it sound?
2. Can I buy it without my wife killing me? She doesn't divorce, she shoots!
3. Can I understand how to use it?
4. Will it last?
5. Will it hold value for a trade up?
6. If it breaks, who's gonna fix it?
Applied to the RNP:
I was less impressed with the sound of the RNP in clips I've heard. I still bought it. I'm using DMP3's and Joemeek stuff and the RNP seemed to have a place. Sure enough, I've found it very usefull and getting certain things to sit in the mix. It adds texture and flavor. Things like, double micing the kick and the snare, one with the DMP3 and one with the RNP. Cut to the vibe of the moment. Just like certain mic's like certain voices, I've found the RNP suits some voices over others. Its nice for harmonies that need to sit back in the mix and blend.
2. This was the upper limit of my budget and I really needed 2 pre's to be useful with what I'm doing. I'm posting, so my wife didn't kill me yet.
3. Very easy to understand, although the 6db gain staging is not. I'm trying not to use my
Korg pre's and the RNP keeps pushing me back to them to lift my input level. Kinda defeats the purpose. I would have paid the extra bucks.
4. I baby my equipment. Although the plastic appearance doesn't inspire confidence, its the same as the RNC and I haven't heard many complaints about the RNC.
5. Only time will tell. I think there will be plenty of RNP fans out there for a year or two. At the rate lower budget units are coming out, I'm not sure how well any of my stuff will hold up in value.
6. For this, I rely on you guys. I read several posts of people with minor glitches and FMR replaced the unit promptly. Early marketing hype or not, it was encouraging and part of why I bought it.
In balance, the RNP was a very nice addition to this newbie's arsenal. If I'd had the budget, these would be Great Rivers. I love that sound! Hey, I can dream.
Thanks again guys.