Preamp A vs Preamp B - Discuss.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Neeps
  • Start date Start date

Preamp A vs Preamp B

  • I liked preamp A best.

    Votes: 37 30.3%

  • I liked preamp B best.

    Votes: 52 42.6%

  • I couldn't tell the difference.

    Votes: 33 27.0%
  • Total voters
    122
bilco said:
I listened through some not so great monitors, (Roland MA 8s) and then through my AT headphones. I was leaning towards A with the mp3 files and then chose B again with the wave files.

Then I read that Preamp A was the RNP. I have mixed emotions about this. I have an RNP and I love it with an SM 57 on my voice. I am not getting anywhere as good a result on acoustic as you are though. I am using an SM81 on a Martin Shenandoah D2832 and I just can't get a good sound through the RNP compared to some cheaper preamps I tried. It is boxy. Now that I hear your clip, I realize it has to be either the guitar, my mic technique, the room or all 3 combined. I have work to do and more to learn I guess.

I have to say that although I leaned toward the RNP, I think I would have been satisfied with the DMP3 as well. It may not have worked as well on my vocals, but it sounds great on the acoustic guitar to me. If I could get a sound that good, I would be satisfied.

bilco
Click to expand...

It's probably the room combined with the fact that the msh-1 is omni so I could mic reasonably close without a proximity boost. I also think the new strings can be heard shining through. To me that's important for getting a good acoustic sound. My Norman is not an expensive guitar it only cost 99 british pounds (about $200) but they are well made instruments that can sound good even if the action isn't as great as a more expensive guitar.
 
maybe its me, but I just listened to the wav samples and it's really really too close.imo. I don't even know which is which at the moment? A is the RNP or DMP3? it doesn't matter anyway.

I wonder.....

if the 2 samples could be transfered to a Left/Right playback,and put "A" in the left and "B" in the Right channel and get a simultaneous playback,
hint, hint, hint//// nod, wink, nod...say no more :p
 
COOLCAT said:
maybe its me, but I just listened to the wav samples and it's really really too close.imo. I don't even know which is which at the moment? A is the RNP or DMP3? it doesn't matter anyway.

I wonder.....

if the 2 samples could be transfered to a Left/Right playback,and put "A" in the left and "B" in the Right channel and get a simultaneous playback,
hint, hint, hint//// nod, wink, nod...say no more :p
Click to expand...


I am wanting to do some A/B recordings myself and I was thinking of running 1 mic into some sort of splitter and then into the 2 preamps. That way, there can be no argument about the distance of the mic to the source not being exactly the same. I want to record my SM81 into 2 tracks of PT LE at the same time, 1 track through the RNP and one through a different preamp. I can't figure out how to get around the phantom power to the mic issue though........... Any ideas?

bilco
 
bilco said:
I am wanting to do some A/B recordings myself and I was thinking of running 1 mic into some sort of splitter and then into the 2 preamps. That way, there can be no argument about the distance of the mic to the source not being exactly the same. I want to record my SM81 into 2 tracks of PT LE at the same time, 1 track through the RNP and one through a different preamp. I can't figure out how to get around the phantom power to the mic issue though........... Any ideas?

bilco
Click to expand...

I'd be interested in hearing that.
 
bilco said:
I am wanting to do some A/B recordings myself and I was thinking of running 1 mic into some sort of splitter and then into the 2 preamps. That way, there can be no argument about the distance of the mic to the source not being exactly the same. I want to record my SM81 into 2 tracks of PT LE at the same time, 1 track through the RNP and one through a different preamp. I can't figure out how to get around the phantom power to the mic issue though........... Any ideas?

bilco
Click to expand...

actually, if you did that all other things being constant (those things being cable length from mic to pre's, and cable length from pre to tape/computer)
you could check the null.
which may be kinda neat.
 
giraffe said:
actually, if you did that all other things being constant (those things being cable length from mic to pre's, and cable length from pre to tape/computer)
you could check the null.
which may be kinda neat.
Click to expand...
Interesting thought, it wouldn't tell you which was better... but you'd get an idea of how different they really are...

Be kind of funny if all that remained was "sparkle" no audio, that's cancelled... just sparkle... with a little bigness, and just a touch of creamy
 
bilco said:
I am wanting to do some A/B recordings myself and I was thinking of running 1 mic into some sort of splitter and then into the 2 preamps. That way, there can be no argument about the distance of the mic to the source not being exactly the same. I want to record my SM81 into 2 tracks of PT LE at the same time, 1 track through the RNP and one through a different preamp. I can't figure out how to get around the phantom power to the mic issue though........... Any ideas?

bilco
Click to expand...

yeah even better....one mic, splitter and blindfold test.
sounds like a great way to get an idea about a pre-amps sound with your specific goal/mic.

you checked Whirlwind for splitters?
http://www.whirlwindusa.com/tech06split.html
 
MOFO Pro said:
Be kind of funny if all that remained was "sparkle" no audio, that's cancelled... just sparkle... with a little bigness, and just a touch of creamy
Click to expand...

baaaa, haaaaa! :D

i don't know why i think that's so funny. sorry.
 
I liked A a lot more than B. Like a handful of other I'm listening on less than good speakers right now. But, to my ears, the difference was pretty big. A seemed much fuller to me than B did.
 
I find it interesting that it appears as though those noticing the biggest difference between the two are listening through a less than ideal monitoring chain... kind of makes sense when you think of it... but contrary to what you'd assume... Just an observation... :cool:
 
I wouldn't be surprised if there was really only one pre-amp.

Re-listened to both waves, several times all the way thru.

but if this test is for real, it says DMP3 is well worth the money compared to the RNP...er...for this application. Maybe if I spent a few thousand on my room the RNP would sound better? :confused:
 
MOFO Pro said:
I find it interesting that it appears as though those noticing the biggest difference between the two are listening through a less than ideal monitoring chain... kind of makes sense when you think of it... but contrary to what you'd assume... Just an observation... :cool:
Click to expand...

Bad monitoring chains tend to emphasize the high frequencies more, which is where the differences between preamps is most prominent. It is ironic, then, in a humbling sort of way that the people who can most easily distinguish the difference between a good recording and a so-so recording are not audiophiles with sound systems in their living room, but rather teenagers with iPods on the subway.
 
Giganova said:
Your signature shows something completely different :confused:
Click to expand...

The signature is a link to a thread that shows pictures of my studio.... the "here's me" bit refered to the recording. i.e. Listen! Here's me in my studio playing my guitar.

So if you want to see pictures of the studio see the thread. If you want to see pictures of me send payment via paypal to barnowl@pimpyourrecordingengineer.com

Oh and it definitely was two different preamps.
 
COOLCAT said:
I wouldn't be surprised if there was really only one pre-amp.

Re-listened to both waves, several times all the way thru.

but if this test is for real, it says DMP3 is well worth the money compared to the RNP...er...for this application. Maybe if I spent a few thousand on my room the RNP would sound better? :confused:
Click to expand...

No supprise for me here. The DMP3 is really good at this application, not just good for what it costs, just good.... period.
 
my ears must be shot I could not hear any difference between the 2 tracks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top