Pre-amp for DP-02 ?

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Luna Cat

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I'm getting the hang of using the DP-02,but having trouble getting volume,no matter how high I set the input (and if it's too high,it distorts).I'm recording electric and acoustic guitars,&bass direct,and using a shure sm-58 for vocals.I noticed quite a few people have recommended using a pre-amp: which one is compatible and how do you hook it all up? I'm new to all of this,especially the digital/computer stuff,so any advice will be much appreciated.
 
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Presonus. They make good preamps (although I use the preamps on my mixer so I have no need for an outboard).
 
I soon discovered after getting my DP-02 that I needed a preamp. The volume for recording just isn't there on the DP-02. After much research I went for the ART MPA Gold and I'm really happy with it. Haven't used any of the Presonus stuff so I can't give an opinion. Might want to check out the M-Audio DMP3 too. Haven't used it but hear good things about it. Using a preamp is easy. To hook up a preamp to the DP-02 all you need to do is run the cable from the mic to the input on the preamp, then a mic cable from the output on your preamp into the input on the back of the DP-02. It's that easy. Do your research within your price range and find the best one for you. Do you want a one or two channel preamp? Things to consider. Let us know what you decide on.
 
I would get rid of it and get something that didnt need another preamp to do what it should do on its own.
There are to many choices out there to put up with that. If this is a common thing for the dp-02 Tascam should be ashamed.
 
Herm said:
I would get rid of it and get something that didnt need another preamp to do what it should do on its own.
There are to many choices out there to put up with that. If this is a common thing for the dp-02 Tascam should be ashamed.
Click to expand...

They should be, kind of. I love the layout and capabilities of the DP-02, but the mic pres simply suck. My pres on my 424mkII run circles around the DP02. Luckily I've got a M-2516 laying around than I can run my mics through.:D
 
I had the same problem when I was using a dp01-fxcd.....cured it by buying a pair of Behringer mic-200 pre-amps.....they worked very well, but when I sold the dp-01 and replaced it with a 2488 mk ll, there was no longer a need for mic pre-amps for increased gain....
 
can you tell more about the quality of m2516 preamps?

jjones1700 said:
They should be, kind of. I love the layout and capabilities of the DP-02, but the mic pres simply suck. My pres on my 424mkII run circles around the DP02. Luckily I've got a M-2516 laying around than I can run my mics through.:D
Click to expand...

can you tell me more about how the m2516 preamps sound, and/or compare to other newer consoles. thanks.(thinking of buying a used one...)
 
re: m2516 preamps, can anyone tell more about how they compare to other consoles?

are they soft or harsher, say Soundcraft Ghost would be softer (like a newmann vocal mic) or "harsher" like a mackie some preamps...layman language here...:cool:
 
surfib2000 said:
are they soft or harsher, say Soundcraft Ghost would be softer (like a newmann vocal mic) or "harsher" like a mackie some preamps...layman language here...:cool:
Click to expand...

Considering I have never laid hands on a Neumann or Soundcraft, I can't really make a comparison. I have a used a Mackie in the past and (from memory) the Tascam isn't as harsh as the Mackie. It's pretty clean. It doesn't have enough gain to work with a SM7b, but for most everything else it should work fine.

The M2516 is a pretty flexible board, as far as what can be connected to it. Mic/line/inserts on each channel with direct outs and up to 4 send/returns. Add in the 8 buss configuration and top it off with MIDI programmable channel muting and you get a unique little board. I've got a pdf of the manual if you need one.;)
 
also using the dp-02 and am having the same lack of volume problem.:(
 
I stuck...

I stuck my Tascam 246 in front of the DP-02cf and it was awesome!:eek:;)
 
Yo!

The 246 (and other Porta's & stand alone mixers) have ample gain and then you can put EQ (or efx) in the recording chain in front of the recorder, input-side, which is something the architecture of the DP02 and many others lack.:eek:;)
 
A Reel Person said:
The 246 (and other Porta's & stand alone mixers) have ample gain and then you can put EQ (or efx) in the recording chain in front of the recorder, input-side, which is something the architecture of the DP02 and many others lack.:eek:;)
Click to expand...

That was one of the first things I noticed when I went from my 424mkII to the DP-02. It surprised me that the newer preamps are so weak. Never thought about putting the 424 in front of it though.:D I did, however, put the M2516 in front of it once or twice. I think the 424 would be a little more "portable" though.:p
 
Sure, it's ironic.

At the point you determine the DP-02 might need an external pre or mixer, it's no longer a 1-piece solution, and violates the basic definition of "Portastudio", IMO.

You do what you need & do what works. There are many front end mixers I could think of to bring to bear on the problem, but at the time I used the 246 Portastudio that was more than adequate. I think the 2-band sweepable EQ on the 246 is a cut above the fixed Hi/Low & Mid-Sweep type EQ on the later Porta's, but YMMV.:spank:

If I needed more than 6 I'd put a bigger mixer. An M30 would be a fine front end to the DP-02, f/i. Any mixer or external preamp could be used for this purpose.:eek:;)

I was able to get satisfactory gain with the DP-02cf with only one mic, a Shure BG 5.0, but most others seemed lackluster. The DP-02 preamps barely cut it, and are most useful with loud sources and sensitive mics. For loud guitar cabs and drums it seemed fine. For vocal or acoustic work it seemed problematic. Any external mixer or preamp would have way more gain than you need. So go for it.
 
DP02 preamp

Agreed.

I do not need my DP02 to be portable so that aspect doesnt bother me.

I bought a yamaha MG166cx mixer this gives me a lot of benefits over a straight DP02. The mixer gives me:

1.) compression on every channel on the mixer, not the best in the world but pretty darn good.

2.) It gives me the ability to plug all my instruments in permanently and switch instruments and mics by pressing buttons on the mixer alone.

3.) I can choose whether or not to record a stereo instrument in mono or stereo (1 or 2 tracks on the DP02) by pressing a button the mixer and the DP02 with no unplugging

4.) Much better pre amps than the DP02

5.) It can be used for playing live or recording live band with 16 channels and 6 buses it is great for live performances.


So I really am very happy with this set up.

The only thing is that I will be upgrading to the 2488 Neo at some point, I want more tracks and more tracks recorded at once and I want 24bit quality.

Will the mixer then be redundant for recording purposes or dores anyone think it would still be useful to plug in front of the 2488 neo?

What are the preamps like on the 2488 neo?

Roger
 
Oh and the Yamaha MG166MX solves another problem I have with the DP02.

It gives me reverb and effects I can hear when I am playing and monitoring, thats a must have for me as I play sing differently depending on what I hear.

For example a guy called Bill bailey, an English comedian and musician does a sketch where he plays a bit of U2 lead guitar with the effects on and and then with them off, very funny and illustrates my point about hearing the effects over the monitor well.

See here for clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Go2DK9VtQ

Roger
 
rog999 said:
Agreed.

I do not need my DP02 to be portable so that aspect doesnt bother me.

I bought a yamaha MG166cx mixer this gives me a lot of benefits over a straight DP02. The mixer gives me:

1.) compression on every channel on the mixer, not the best in the world but pretty darn good.

2.) It gives me the ability to plug all my instruments in permanently and switch instruments and mics by pressing buttons on the mixer alone.

3.) I can choose whether or not to record a stereo instrument in mono or stereo (1 or 2 tracks on the DP02) by pressing a button the mixer and the DP02 with no unplugging

4.) Much better pre amps than the DP02

5.) It can be used for playing live or recording live band with 16 channels and 6 buses it is great for live performances.


So I really am very happy with this set up.

The only thing is that I will be upgrading to the 2488 Neo at some point, I want more tracks and more tracks recorded at once and I want 24bit quality.

Will the mixer then be redundant for recording purposes or dores anyone think it would still be useful to plug in front of the 2488 neo?

What are the preamps like on the 2488 neo?

Roger
Click to expand...
anyone have any advice on whther the mixer will not be needed for recording once I have a 2488 Neo?
 
rog999 said:
anyone have any advice on whther the mixer will not be needed for recording once I have a 2488 Neo?
Click to expand...

I've never used a 2488, so I can't really say how the mixer portion of it works or how well the preamps are in it. The Yamaha can still be used for various patching needs or extra inputs. Congrats on the Yamaha by the way.;) They make some nice equipment.
 
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