R
Robert D
New member
Sorry Warlock, I really didn't mean you suck, I've never heard your work and have no idea. Maybe your ear is just five steps ahead of your wallet. 
I have a DMP3 in my little preamp collection, and it gets a lot of use. In fact, it gets more use than some more expensive preamps that I have. It's remarkably good for it's very low cost, and by most accounts significantly better than the pre's you have. However, it is not a pre I usually use for vocals. Reading through your post, I'm thinking you might be happier with something like the original Focusrite Trakmaster. You can often find them used within your budget, and they fall a little more into the "colored" catagory. Here's an interesting bit from Focusrite about the difference between the original and the Trakmaster Pro;
"What are the differences between the original Trak Master and the TrakMaster Pro?
The most signifiant difference is the pre-amp. The pres in the two units are similar in performance but not identical. The original Trak Master has a typical class A Platinum design, (based around a 737 Rhom transistor) but the TrakMaster Pro uses an op-amp design closer to that in the Focusrite Green range. Both designs are solid state, have an extended bandwidth (e.g. up to at least 180kHz at the top end) and are sonically transparent, but there is a subtle character difference; the original Trak Master has the edge in being more forgiving if you want to slam the pre hard. More 2nd order harmonic distortion is generated at high input levels giving the pre a warmer sound when run hot. The TrakMaster Pro op-amp runs in a class A mode (though it is not true class A) and is ultra clean sounding but if you run it hot it will not sound quite as warm and forgiving as the original Trak Master. Hence if ultra clean appeals to you then the TrakMaster Pro has the edge, but if you like to drive a lot of level and are not obsessed with total linearity the transistor-based Trak Master, VoiceMaster Pro or TwinTrak Pro is a better choice.
Other feature differences are:
-TrakMaster Pro features a Lo-Z (low impedance) setting for use with older ribbon mics.
-Trak Master features a 3 band post-compressor EQ (although it can be switched to pre-comp) whereas the TrakMaster Pro features a pre-comp mid-scoop EQ control only.
-Trak Master compressor features tube sound and release controls, not found on the TrakMaster Pro.
-TrakMaster Pro features a port-hole style moving coil peak level meter which can be switched between input, output and comp (gain reduction)."
I kind of like the original Trakmaster, and this explains why pretty well why I never got rid of mine. I don't use it all the time, but sometimes it's the color I want.
I have a DMP3 in my little preamp collection, and it gets a lot of use. In fact, it gets more use than some more expensive preamps that I have. It's remarkably good for it's very low cost, and by most accounts significantly better than the pre's you have. However, it is not a pre I usually use for vocals. Reading through your post, I'm thinking you might be happier with something like the original Focusrite Trakmaster. You can often find them used within your budget, and they fall a little more into the "colored" catagory. Here's an interesting bit from Focusrite about the difference between the original and the Trakmaster Pro;
"What are the differences between the original Trak Master and the TrakMaster Pro?
The most signifiant difference is the pre-amp. The pres in the two units are similar in performance but not identical. The original Trak Master has a typical class A Platinum design, (based around a 737 Rhom transistor) but the TrakMaster Pro uses an op-amp design closer to that in the Focusrite Green range. Both designs are solid state, have an extended bandwidth (e.g. up to at least 180kHz at the top end) and are sonically transparent, but there is a subtle character difference; the original Trak Master has the edge in being more forgiving if you want to slam the pre hard. More 2nd order harmonic distortion is generated at high input levels giving the pre a warmer sound when run hot. The TrakMaster Pro op-amp runs in a class A mode (though it is not true class A) and is ultra clean sounding but if you run it hot it will not sound quite as warm and forgiving as the original Trak Master. Hence if ultra clean appeals to you then the TrakMaster Pro has the edge, but if you like to drive a lot of level and are not obsessed with total linearity the transistor-based Trak Master, VoiceMaster Pro or TwinTrak Pro is a better choice.
Other feature differences are:
-TrakMaster Pro features a Lo-Z (low impedance) setting for use with older ribbon mics.
-Trak Master features a 3 band post-compressor EQ (although it can be switched to pre-comp) whereas the TrakMaster Pro features a pre-comp mid-scoop EQ control only.
-Trak Master compressor features tube sound and release controls, not found on the TrakMaster Pro.
-TrakMaster Pro features a port-hole style moving coil peak level meter which can be switched between input, output and comp (gain reduction)."
I kind of like the original Trakmaster, and this explains why pretty well why I never got rid of mine. I don't use it all the time, but sometimes it's the color I want.