What would you choose?

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SiniS

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[I Have a Shure Ksm-27, and a M-Audio delta44 soundcard)

What would you choose between:

Buyin' a Focusrite Voicemaster or a Voicemaster pro?

Or buyin' a M-Audio DMP3 preamp & a compressor of the same price..??

What would you choose and why would you choose this?
 
I have thought of these options but I am going for the RNP.
 
SiniS said:
I just heard about the Focusrite Penta, ...would that be enough for my needs?
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That would kinda depend on your needs...
 
From what I gather your needs are, I think three or four midgets would do the trick. Try and buy used, I hear the Chocolate Factory ones don't get much work nowadays.
 
Just from reading millions of opinions about this stuff, I'd say, between the two choices you listed, go for the dmp3 and an RNC. Seems that most like the preamp in the Voicemaster ( the Platinum ) but that the compressor and other accessories kinda stink. I know the RNC really is Nice... If you wanna get really Nice, get the RNP/RNC combo. It's not really that much more than a Voicemaster. If you can get the extra without too much pain, you'll be glad you spent it.
 
I had the Voicemaster and sold it. The compressor and effects where worthless. However, the preamp itself was maybe a very slight step up than a DMP3 but only for vocals and it was not that versatile. It has this slight Neve warmth thing going that makes it nice for some vocals. As for instruments, it was unusable to my ears as the warm sound colors things too much. So used with an RNC this would be slightly better than a DMP3 but only on vocals that needed a warm sound. If you need to record instruments too then move along.

If your main need is vocals or Bass DI, maybe guitars, then the Voicemaster Pro version is a worthwhile stop. It is my main vocal channel and has a really great sound - except for the compressor which I would not use on vocals at all, only for instruments like bass or guitar. I use the RNC with the Voicemaster Pro and am getting excellent vocal results. It goes from warm to clean if I need it and is more versatile than the original version.

A DMP3 and RNC combination has a wide range of use too. I always track acoustic with the DMP3 because it has a nice midrange emphasis. I have not gotten any stellar vocal tracks off the DMP3 but have made some very useable background tracks with it. Here is where the RNP would shine over the DMP3, for main vocals and drums. However, the DMP3 is better on acoustic in my estimation and makes a great starter all around choice in conjunction with the RNC.

Voicemaster $295 used on Ebay + RNC (You would need this) $179 = $474

DMP3 @ $199 + RNC @ $179 = $378

Voicemaster Pro @$550 + RNC @ $179= $729
 
Did you hear any good for the HHB FATMAN2 ????

Middleman This question is for you: Would the RNP/RNC combo beat every combinaisons you suggested?


(By the way, I'm buying these things to record VOCALS only, and I have a limited budget, i mean i won't buy EQs, Reverb etc... only a preamp & a compressor, because I think those are the essential, I will do the rest with a software)

A combo that seems interesting is the DMP3 / RNC ... (for a low budget)...

PS: I can go up to 650$ US MAXIMUM for the preamp & compressor
 
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RNP - $475 RNC - $175 = $650 + shipping. If you don't want the face plate to rack them......velcro them to a shelf or something. Is it worth it? Yes.
 
I could even buy the smallest rack I can find...


With everything that I read, I'm now hesitating between:

DMP3 199$ + RNC 179$ = 378$

RNP/RNC = 650$
 
It really just depends on what you are expecting from your music recording. Do you want at least near-professional quality? Are you going to be recording songs with the amp that will consist of SEVERAL layered tracks? Do you want QUIET tracks that sit distinctly in their own space ? Do you want to look as cool as possible to your friends? :D If so, you want the RNP. When you start building tracks you will know the difference. Besides, you've got a nice mic there. No need to scrimp on the amp... your mic may feel cheated and not perform up to standard. Mics know, you know.

If you're not that picky about the quality right now and your music is not very complex, the DMP will do a good job for getting you started and if you can play and sing well, you'll make some good recordings.

If you CAN spend the money, just take the plunge. It's always better to overextend a little up front and get something that you won't wish to upgrade in just a little while. Go ahead......you know you want to. It's just money. whup it out!
 
Yeah I know... that's the point, if I CAN spend this much money, I'm gonna buy the RNP/RNC combo. I wanna be able to make good recordings, but I was wondering if it was worth it to buy the RNP instead of the DMP3 for VOCALS only. But, now, from what I read here and there, I'm pretty sure it's worth it.
 
SiniS, the Voicemaster Pro is better for stand out vocals than the RNP which I bought and returned based on my own shootout. Just talking preamp to preamp comparison. If Acorec shows up on this thread he will verify what I'm sayng.

On instruments its a toss up between the RNP and the VM Pro except for mandolin and cymbals; the RNP has a little more brilliance on the top end. Depends on the sound your after.

If you can push your budget $50 more dollars I have seen used VM Pros go for around $500 on ebay. That and the RNC is a killer vocal channel for a home studio.

The RNP/RNC is great too, don't get me wrong. You can't do wrong going this direction.

On the Sears and Roebuck scale of good, better, best I would rate them like this

Good DMP3/RNC
Better RNP/RNC
Best VM Pro/RNC
 
What's the price of a Voicemaster pro? (A new one) I can't find it on the net... is it 550$ ???

And I heard that the Compressor, Eq, etc... on the Voicemaster are not worth it... is that right?

So I would buy the Voicemaster pro only for the preamp??
 
What's the price of a Voicemaster pro? (A new one) I can't find it on the net... is it 550$ ???
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I have seen them for $550, list is $650 however.

And I heard that the Compressor, Eq, etc... on the Voicemaster are not worth it... is that right?
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On the voicemaster no but the on the pro they are good.

So I would buy the Voicemaster pro only for the preamp??
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And the effects for instruments. Also the de-esser is excellent for vocals and the monitoring system reduces the need to buy a headphone preamp for playing with your tracks without latency.
On background vocals I think the compressor in the VM Pro is just as affective as the the RNC. It's just that I don't like its sound on the primary vocal, a little too sizzly for me. Now on a rock vocal it would be fine.
 
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