pre-amp "transition" period?

[cellardweller]

My tax returns are finally on the way, delayed by the run-around from the bank about our statement (long story).

I am (as always) on a tight/nonexistant budget (childrens medical bills), so I've pretty much settled on the DMP3, and maybe a Senn e609.
The "pre" I was using was a mackie PA head.

1. How much "transition" time will there be when changing over?

2. Are my ears adjusted to the less-than-great pres and inadequate phantom power of my Mackie?

3. Will the e609 be complimented by the DMP3 for distorted guitars?

4. Any equally cost effective choices/combinations?

I know the "YMMV" comes into play here, and I'm pretty much resigned to experimentation... but...

Any input welcome and appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[DJL]

The DMP3/E609 combo is good... and there should be a hearable improvement over the old Mackie PA (less noise, etc). In other words... in a nutshell... your making a very good choice.

 

[chessrock]

The entire world, as we are all used to it, will most likely cease to exist.

When we all wake up, nothing will be the same ... and we will all remember a more simple existance that is but a distant memory to us now. All because Cellardweller bought a dmp-3.



Dude, you're getting some new mic pres. Differences will modest. You buy stuff ... you plug it in ... you make music and you record it just as you always have. Major paradign shifts in recording results occur incramentally and gradually over time, as you gain experience and as you improve bits and pieces of your tools.

 

[whyseye]

Danger-
If you attempt to transition too quickly, you risk sonic whiplash!!!

Seriously - congrats on the upgrade - I'm just jealous!

Got my eye on a couple of similar pieces of gear as soon as my own non-existant budget will allow - I hope that you do hear an appreciable difference, and get to smile that silly little smile every time you use the new stuff.

 

[teainthesahara]

1. How much "transition" time will there be when changing over?

If you got half decent monitoring (i.e. budget monitors and amp), then you should hear it immediately.

2. Are my ears adjusted to the less-than-great pres and inadequate phantom power of my Mackie?

When i bought my VTB-1 and e609, i A/B'd it to a mackie desk. The difference was immediately apparrent, and i really liked what i heard out of the VTB-1/e609 combo.

3. Will the e609 be complimented by the DMP3 for distorted guitars?

Among all my sub-200$ preamps (ART,studioprojects,symetrix,fostex), I would not call any of them a "non-complimentary" preamp. They all sound noticeably different, but they all work adequetly. When the symetrix works well for something, it tends to work really really well.

4. Any equally cost effective choices/combinations?

Depending on what type of distorted guitar sound you want...i would put more money and consideration in the mic rather than the preamp. A used Senn md421 with a cheapo ARTmp can sound pretty good and be verstile. The 421 can be used on a bunch of stuff, and the ART makes an sweet bass DI as well. Nothing wrong with your e609/dmp either...

 

[Warhead]

Personally I'd rather pay off the bills, but I'd only upgrade if you're not getting the sound you dig out of the Mackie. Indeed the live head isn't optimum, but if you're getting your musical point across I would think that'd be fine.

Preamps are one of those things that you can spend a whole lot of money upgrading, or very little. I don't know if you'll experience the upgrade you want as you might end up liking your Mackie pres better? I have never heard a DMP3 preamp so I do not know.

I'm with Chessrock, might be a small upgrade and you'll just be right back to making music.

War

 

[cellardweller]

When we all wake up, nothing will be the same ... and we will all remember a more simple existance that is but a distant memory to us now. All because Cellardweller bought a dmp-3..

Oh crap,...seriously... that could happen?

Okay, nevermind. I'll get the behringer instead.
After all, I'm not THAT selfish of a bastard...

Warhead-
Yea, bills are taking the VAST majority of my tax return, believe me. It's not that the bills weren't being paid, it's just now I can lopp off a major amount of interest they had hoped to charge me...

Whyseye - I didn't know there were others here in my financial state, suddenly I'm not all alone...

Teainthesarahara- at least SOMONE has some encouraging words

Thanks (even chessrock ).

BTW, it's really my first "upgrade", if you can call it that, since I've begun shoveling money into this abyssmal hobby, so it'll probably be only a very small differnce, if any. My biggest reason for wanting the DMP3 is phantom, my mackie only supplies 15V, REALLY!!!

 

[Big Kenny]

You will finally experience the "warmth". Welcome to the world of GAS!

 

[Warhead]

Warhead-
Yea, bills are taking the VAST majority of my tax return, believe me. It's not that the bills weren't being paid, it's just now I can lopp off a major amount of interest they had hoped to charge me...!

Congrats on the pre. Interest on a health bill balance..are you in the US? I thought they kind of had to work with you as long as you gave them anything you could along and along.

I still have a few small balances out there that I pay like $20 a month on.

Bigger congrats on paying off some bills! It is a good feeling.

War

 

[cellardweller]

We were doing $20 a week, but one(one of three) of the collection places is charging us 18% interest monthly! They'll be paid first!

My oldest daughter ventured out to walk the dog, one cold winter afternoon. She usually stays in the yard, but decided to cross the driveway, along the way hitting an icepatch, falling and severely cutting herself on the ice. 12 stitches I think that was, on her ankle. To his credit, the dog helped her up as best he could and stayed by her side, despite her having dropped the leash. $2000 bill.

The middle daughter was playing at the park, water balloon fight. They were running around, and then retreated into the bathroom, there was a skirmish at the door, pushing and pulling, her finger found it's way into it and was severed. It was successfully re-attached. $5000+ bill.

They add up fast in this way. There were a couple of other ones, not nearly as dramatic, such as when I picked up an empty plastic bag off the floor and blew out a disc... but I tell my friends that I was engaged in an epic battle with a home invader...

It'll be nice to have a good chunk of that gone.
And pick up a couple of toys!!!

*edit* yes, in the US. Illinois to be nearly exact.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I'm expecting the transition time should be 3-5 minutes, more if you obsess over it.-Richie

 

[distortedrumble]

well i was practically drooling over getting the soundcraft m12, AT4040 and putting money down on a seedy hotel trip to vegas. 3 days before it got here the catalytic converters crapped out on my car sending a chain reaction that included a tune up and new tires. my income tax check was gone and now I'm back where i was before with behringer sometimes i think about crying. i also think about selling that P.O.S. car for 600 bucks and getting my money back and buying the stuff i had originally planned to buy. granted it'd leave me without a car but hey, they car screwed with my happiness.

 

[acorec]

Personally I'd rather pay off the bills, but I'd only upgrade if you're not getting the sound you dig out of the Mackie. Indeed the live head isn't optimum, but if you're getting your musical point across I would think that'd be fine.

Preamps are one of those things that you can spend a whole lot of money upgrading, or very little. I don't know if you'll experience the upgrade you want as you might end up liking your Mackie pres better? I have never heard a DMP3 preamp so I do not know.

I'm with Chessrock, might be a small upgrade and you'll just be right back to making music.

War

Bills come every month for life. An opportunity for a new pre-amp comes once a year at best. The kids are still alive and not very hungry. The best place to put that hard earned $$$ is in equipment. You can't sing the blues unless you can record them in a sonic landscape.

Go ahead and get the pre-amp. You will be able to provide a richer (poorer) environment to really record some great blues music.

 

[cellardweller]

LOL

My official disclaimer now will be:
NO CHILDREN WERE STARVED DURING THIS RECORDING.

 

[DJL]

Have you made up your mind yet and if so, what are you going to get?

 

[cellardweller]

• DMP3
• Furman PL-8II
• Senn E609
• Assorted odds -n- ends (xlr/instrument cables, boom stand, etc.)

I was hoping to buy a audiophile 2496, but alas, it is not to be...

 

[DJL]

• DMP3
• Furman PL-8II
• Senn E609
• Assorted odds -n- ends (xlr/instrument cables, boom stand, etc.)

I was hoping to buy a audiophile 2496, but alas, it is not to be...

Looks good to me... rock on bro.

 

[ozraves]

Just pat yourself on the back for being a decent Dad who helps provide for his family and enjoy the new gear.

 

[distortedrumble]

hey daaaad! I just fell down and went BOOOOOOOM!!! I think I need to go to the hospital cause i dont think my leg is supposed to look like that

 

[cellardweller]

hey daaaad! I just fell down and went BOOOOOOOM!!! I think I need to go to the hospital cause i dont think my leg is supposed to look like that

Hey, how'd you know what happened to my first boom stand?