RNP, Tampa, TwinTrak Pro, etc.

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SRR

SRR

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I am looking to get a "nice" preamp, $300-$450~ is the budget, used or new. One or two channels, if its two great, if its one better one great as well. Mics in use for vocals would be; AT3035, Beta 57a, and most likely a SE 3300a (still have to get this). Oh and if I get a two channel pre, uses could also include a pair of MXL 604's for acoustic guitar. I like the Focusrite feature set, but I don't see it talked about much here. Tampa seems nice, but then there is the RNP. MP20, Eureka, ART MPA gold digital, and others are also what I am kicking around in my head.

My very small equipment list is here: http://mysite.verizon.net/resq6asf/id2.html
 
Do you have any other outboard gear or do you use plug ins? None of those mics are really "great" vocal mics. If you don't need a compressor the RNP is great, Tampa is nice for one channel with comp. The DMP gets good press
 
Just Plugins. And I don't really know how I feel about getting something with OR without a compressor/eq/etc built in. It really doesn't matter to much to me, if something has it, and more importantly its usable, great, if not, plugins work for me. Well take the RNP and the twintrak pro, if the pres on the rnp blow the focusrite pres away (with none of the extras on the focusrite being used), I will get the rnp.

You don't like the 3300a for vocals? If not what else do you like for $350~? Fullcompass has the 3300a for $320 demo/b-stock, seems like a bargin, but if there is something better suited... me is :confused: on what I should do.
 
Now if they made a one channel model of that pre, for half the cost. :eek:

Seems like on this forum, there are the $100-$150 pres, and then the $700 pres, with only the RNP and Brick inbetween. Are there no other good options?

Maybe I could live with my pair of VTB-1s and save up, but I am bipolar I need things now :( ! (its the nature of the disease)
 
SRR said:
Now if they made a one channel model of that pre, for half the cost. :eek:

Seems like on this forum, there are the $100-$150 pres, and then the $700 pres, with only the RNP and Brick inbetween. Are there no other good options?

Maybe I could live with my pair of VTB-1s and save up, but I am bipolar I need things now :( ! (its the nature of the disease)
Click to expand...
I'd like the two channel for taping live shows. It would be cool to see a multi-channel version for studio use, though.

Don't forget Grace, Safe Sound, Focusrite, etc. for the mid-priced pres.

Temptation knocks forever. Opportunity knocks once. With that said, if you really want something that you know you will put to good use, go for it.
 
D&R makes a 2 channel preamp that is slightly out of your proposed budget at about $500. In my opinion it is a step up from even the Grace as far as overall usability. Its a good transparent and dimensional sound. It isn't the kind of preamp that will heavily color your tracks, but it's very quiet and clean, with impecable specs and excellent depth.
 
For about $550 you could get a 2 channel ART MPA Gold tube pre AND a 2 channel ART Pro VLA Vactrol tube compressor...........
The MPA has been priced down from it's initial $399 to $299 and I have seen the VLA as low as $225.
The MPA is very variable and seems like a lot of folks have one or had one at some point in their career. Same with the VLA.
I also like my Focusrite TrakMaster Pro at $299........
B
(Of course I would love to own a Grace 101 and others :D )
 
well, there are $100 pres and $700 pres for a reason, really. and it's largely b/c the stuff in the middle isn't all *that* much better than the "better" stuff at the bottom....and when you DO start getting truly "better", you start paying for it.

that said, i've got a Tampa and i LOVE it. of course, i got a great deal on a used one, so that always helps. :D

the pre on it is considerably "larger" sounding than my VTB1, rane ms1a, mackie, etc., pres. it's definitely on par with my Symetrix 528, but it's got a decidedly different sound--it's a lot moer transparent than the 528's preamp is.

the compressor is a LOT of fun. i think a lot of folks don't understand how to use it properly (b/c it's got no makeup gain), so they give it bad marks. it's definitely a "character" compressor.

the tampa is a very nice channel strip. but i would have hesitation using it on *everything* in a mix. but using it for a few things like vocal, kick and bass in a mix, it's a definite winner.


cheers,
wade
 
mrface2112, I think you have me convinced on the tampa. That and I read a thread somewhere else from Dot, about how there is a hole between the tampa and something really good. So maybe the tampa isn't as good as the BG1, but then I don't really have the $680 for one either. But I do have the $350 it would take to get a tampa. And have some money left over to buy some essentials, those tama mic stands or maybe something else. I know the DMP3 and VTB-1 can't be beat for the price, I am just hoping that the tampa gives me a step up from my VTB-1s, which sounds like it will.

Not that anyone would have direct knowledge of it, but anyone think the Tampa and the SE 3300a would make a good combo for vocals?
 
There is one D&R dealer in the US. His name is Paul Westbrook. If you PM me I will give you his number. I personally have spent over $35,000 with Paul and have good experiences with him every time.
 
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