Hi everybody. I have to upgrade my studio and I'm thinking of a couple of channels of pres. I'm really in love with transparecy, so I like the clearness of the True Precision 8, John Hardy or Benchmark. Not the Neves 10... series (yet).
I'm just looking for 4 channels so I can't buy the Precision 8 because I would need converters too but If I could find something for that "price per channel" I would be ready to go. I mean: 4 cristal clean channels for about 1000 or 1400 dollars (since the Precision 8 is given for an amazing $2200 list price).
People: any suggestions?
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and have a wonderfull day.
Bas.
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Ouch!!! Nathan's slamming one of my fav's - I love Grace so muc
Ouch!!!
Nathan's slamming one of my fav's - I love Grace so much, I named my dog Grace...
Of course, the FMR stuff is nice, but for transparent, I dig, dig, dig the grace stuff.
Of course, I also like the True Systems, but I'd check the price again - MSRP is much higher than $2200 - MAP is $2495.
The Benchmark pre and the Sytek are both great options. Be prepared to wait for the benchmark - they're made to order.
Also, check out the Broadhurst Gardens 1 (DAV Electronics). You could get 2 of them (4 channels total) for around your budget price. I don't know this pre all that well, but they're favored by many of the dudes in the acoustic forum.
You might also want to look at the Focuswrong ISA 428. It's got 4 pres with the inexpensive capability of adding 8 channels of AD and it's relatively transparent.
Anyway,
Good luck!
J. 8-)
Cucco wrote: Ouch!!! Nathan's slamming one of my fav's - I love
Cucco wrote: Ouch!!!
Nathan's slamming one of my fav's - I love Grace so much, I named my dog Grace...
Definitely not slamming...it's just I did a pretty decent A/B of the Grace 101 versus the RNP, and the Grace to my ears just came across as a bit 'hyper-real' and a little aggressive above 8k. Maybe a bit brighter than reality, really hard to describe. The RNP in comparison was definitely more colored and forgiving (the test was drum overheads and close mic'ed piano, pretty dynamically and harmonically complex stuff), but no where near as colored as something like a Neve or even an API. So I think it could be very appropriate with the right microphones on 'legitamite' forms of music. I've heard some gorgeous records of orchestral work from the 60's and 70's, and it's a given they were filled with iron core transformers, very possibly tubes, and tape. Take away the tape, take away the transformers in the mics (like in most modern situations) and it's going to be a lot less colored, even if the engineer was to use a pair of 1073's (and I wouldn't be surprised if it sounded great).
Yes, but I heard that that Benchmark needs a little modify to th
Yes, but I heard that that Benchmark needs a little modify to the circuitry because of a low output gain in order to be at the same level with the others mentioned before and it costs a couple of hundred bucks on top of its list price. Does anybody know anything about it?
I'd like to know a little more about these Broadhurst Gardens 1 mentioned above, did anybody try them?
Thanks again people, what a great forum this is!! :D
Cranesong Flamingo transformerless 2 channel preamp....might be
Cranesong Flamingo
transformerless 2 channel preamp....might be a little out of your budget, but if you want 'transparent' this is the king!
i haven't had any experience with Sytek's units, but apparently they're quite transparent...
something to check out anyways
good luck.
(The following is only my opinion. It's nothing to get upset abo
(The following is only my opinion. It's nothing to get upset about, it's only what I think)
mmmm .... RNP. I don't like it. Harsh and brittle ... sounds more like a Mackie than not. In a "taste test" RO readers preferred the sound of a Mackie pre over the RNP. The sound stage is flat and dimensionless. Cheesy power supply and built cheap. It's a toy. The one I had here took a 3 foot drop off the top of my rack onto a carpeted floor and a volume pot shaft snapped off. What a POS (IMO).
Damn Freelight! You sure do love your Cranesong, don't you?? :
Damn Freelight! You sure do love your Cranesong, don't you?? :D
Well, considering the asking price and he's wanting 4 channels, I'd say you hit that WAY out of the ballpark...
Yeah, the Cranesong is really nice, but I can think of a few others in or lower than that price point that I find to be more "transparent" such as the Millennia, Grace 201, Buzz, Earthworks (though I'm not a big fan of this one - dry as hell.)
Baslotto-
As for the Benchmark, I'm not familiar with any complaints about the gainstaging on it - what's your source for this?
The BG1 is one of the favorites of some of the heavier hitters on the acoustics forums, mainly loved for its transparency. Check out that forum and do a search. I don't specifically recall, but I think Mick Hinton may have actually checked in on that forum once or twice. (Or maybe I'm wrong and was hallucinating???)
J. (y)
:D Thank you so much for your help and opinions guys! I think i
:D
Thank you so much for your help and opinions guys!
I think it's good to know about people who have had a bad experience with this gear because 99% of the time we read great reviews (online)about anything, and it seems we live in a perfect world. So it's good to have a real critique from another common mortal like me who actually tried the equipment.
About the Benchmark. A friend of mine could find a MPS-420/2000 for a "ridiculous" price (used) and he could afford a little modification to boost the gain a little. I talked to him today and he told me that I could shurely live without it.
I'm being attracted by the idea of getting 2 "2 channels" though. I think that for the music that I record (mostly rock bands) it would give a little more color to my palette (I already have 4 other channels of the same kind) so I'm getting interested in these little 2 channels boxes like the RNP and the BG1.
Thank you again for your suggestions, if there is anybody totally against the things that have been said until now please speak your mind loud, it's the best way for us to understand what is really worth the money and what's just "a good review" found on the internet.
Thank you guys again, this forum is great!
Bas.
Kurt Foster wrote: (The following is only my opinion. It's nothi
Kurt Foster wrote: (The following is only my opinion. It's nothing to get upset about, it's only what I think)
mmmm .... RNP. I don't like it. Harsh and brittle ... sounds more like a Mackie than not. In a "taste test" RO readers preferred the sound of a Mackie pre over the RNP. The sound stage is flat and dimensionless. Cheesy power supply and built cheap. It's a toy. The one I had here took a 3 foot drop off the top of my rack onto a carpeted floor and a volume pot shaft snapped off. What a POS (IMO).
Kurt,
I honestly don't believe this is your opinion. You know why you slam FMR, and I know why you slam FMR, and it has NOTHING to do with the quality of the gear. You should keep your personal issues with Mark out of this forum (let it be known that you are probably the only person on this planet that has issues with Mark.)
Sounds more like a Mackie? The sound stage is flat and dimentionless? Good freakin' grief... If this is what you believe, then you have absolutely no business reviewing gear. Trying to cover your tracks by saying "in my opinion" over and over doesn't work, Kurt. People are smarter than that...
Disclaimer: Yes, I am an FMR dealer. Yes, I own a music store. Yes, I am biased. Yes, the FMR product is FAR better than MANY more expensive items I sell where I would make MUCH more money selling.
DanKennedy wrote: That was kind of harsh Kurt. By the way, are
DanKennedy wrote: That was kind of harsh Kurt.
By the way, are you going to ever return that MP-2NV I sent to you for review several years ago, or should I just bill you???
Dan,
Not harsh at all IMO. It's how I really feel about the RNPs.
It wasn't several years ago maybe 1 year? .... lol. :lol:
I never head from you after the review ran . I thought you were so happy with the review that you decided to let me keep it.
I would be happy to return it. Please send the pick up tag to the same address that the unit was sent to. Let me know when I can expect to see it. I will have it boxed and ready to go. Thanks for the use of the unit. It's a great pre.
Kurt
Humbucker Jake wrote: ....Sounds more like a Mackie? The sound stage is flat and dimentionless? Good freakin' grief... If this is what you believe, then you have absolutely no business reviewing gear. Trying to cover your tracks by saying "in my opinion" over and over doesn't work, Kurt. People are smarter than that....... I honestly don't believe this is your opinion. You know why you slam FMR, and I know why you slam FMR, and it has NOTHING to do with the quality of the gear. You should keep your personal issues with Mark out of this forum (let it be known that you are probably the only person on this planet that has issues with Mark.)
Jake,
Then what is my opinion? Please tell me. I suppose I have a secret stash of RNPs in the closet that I never take out unless no one is watching? I did test the unit, although I declined to review it seeing as it sorta sucked. You can ask Fletcher ... he lent me the unit and I told him about the broken volume pot shaft ... he admitted it was a design flaw the FMR was aware of and that there was a fix in the works. I still have all the E Mails to prove it.
:lol:
IMO
The "in my opinion" thing was something that another person that had issues with me suggested I should use. So I adopted it. I am not "trying to cover my tracks", as you suggest. If you think it's better not to say that, I wiould be happy to drop it.
RNP vs. Mackie
What I said was ... "More like a Mackie than not." Please if you want to quote me, quote me ... don't make things up. I'm not the only one who felt that way after listening to the sound comparisons. You should take a look at that thread.
Personal Issues
As far as the personal issues, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. I do not know Mr. McQuilken other than through a few exchanges on RO where he made posts incognito as "Ferd Berfel". There is absolutely no chance that there are any personal issues between he and I as we have no personal relationship. I am sure he is a great guy and aside from a discussion re;" RNP", he and I might even get along. A lot of my friends say I'm a nice guy. I just really don't like cheap pre amps (especially ones that run on 8 volts). :shock:
Now, a question from me to you
It's interesting that this is your first post. Thanks for you candid comments regarding your occupation .... Perhaps you can educate us all as to how you make a lot more money selling dozens of cheap pres like the RNP over one piece of high quality gear like a Millennia or a Vintech. Then everyone else will have a grasp on why it's always gear manufacturers, dealers, reps and distributors who have issues with my remarks. They hate it when they see posts like:
.... "I think it's good to know about people who have had a bad experience with this gear because 99% of the time we read great reviews (online)about anything, and it seems we live in a perfect world. So it's good to have a real critique from another common mortal like me who actually tried the equipment.
"
I'm interested in seeing your reply.
I see there's a kind of fight going on. :shock: Ok so let me
I see there's a kind of fight going on. :shock:
Ok so let me take the word again for a second and ask Kurt this question:
Are you saying that in your opinion it's stupid to buy little 2-channel boxes for about $600? Besides the RNP which you don't like, do you know any little box (2 ch.) that could sound decently clear for less than $800? Or do you suggest me to avoid getting "cheap" stuff and to buy very expensive pieces like Millennia, John Hardy and so on?
PS: Please avoid suggesting $4000 pieces of gear like somebody above because my answer would be that I have spent money on my Ferrari F50 Modena and I'm trying to save on preamps, but I like my car a lot... :D
I forgot to say people! My budget at the moment is between $100
I forgot to say people!
My budget at the moment is between $1000 and $1400 but it doesn't mean that I want to get absolutely "new" gear. If anybody knows the used market price for a couple of good pres please let's talk about those too. Here is another question: where could we find good used gear online? Any particular website that is not Ebay (which I don't trust too much)?
PS: By the way, my friend found the Benchmark for less than $200. How lucky is this guy... hehe!
Thanks again for your effort people I couldn't expect this much help!
I am happy to say there is one alternative. For $800 you can get
I am happy to say there is one alternative. For $800 you can get a pair of "The Brick" from Groove Tubes. Perhaps if people like us on these BBs keep the pressure on, more manufacturers will recognize that they have to pony up with some substantial quality in order to sell product. As it stands, there guys exploit the fact that a lot of people do not know what to look for in a quality mic or mic pre. (uh-oh! That's gonna leave a mark!)
The Brick is a very good mic pre. There' s not a lot of features, they are very basic no frills / no nonsense. Inzanoutz, on, off, switchable phantom power, phase switching and a volume control. Enough gain (55dB) for almost any mic except perhaps some ribbons. That's it. But these pre can keep up with any other pre around (IMO). Waaaaaaay better than an RNP and I really don't think anyone will argue that point.
I'm sorry your thread got drug off topic. This happens a lot when I make posts for some reason, which is why I said in my first post that it was only my opinion (to which I am entitled) and nothing for everyone to get uptight about. It seems there are some things that a lot of industry types don't want people to say. That the RNP is not all it's hyped up to be, is one of them. :roll:
For anyone to insinuate that I have personal motivations is nothing more than character assassination.
So much venom spews forth about mic pre's every time... Anyway,
So much venom spews forth about mic pre's every time...
Anyway, I have this preamp that is completely transparent. It sits on my desk in front of an old turntable. It's not the tube-pre... no no! It's the one in the foreground. Now that's a transparent pre.
CoyoteTrax wrote: Here he goes with the "character assassination
CoyoteTrax wrote: Here he goes with the "character assassination" thing again.
This is funny.
Didn't Ronald Reagan already use that one? That's an old tactic used by political "hatchet men" like Dick Nixon. Too easy to see through. Next thing you know someone will be breaking into my doctors office looking for dirt to smear me with.
What's really funny (ha ha) is how any time I comment that I don't care for some piece of gear, there's always seems to be someone who has a problem with (only) my comments. It's just my opinion and I think I should be allowed to voice it, whether you agree with me or not. Why is everyone so afraid to just let me speak my mind and leave it at that? I must be saying things that are screwing up someone's world in a major way to incur all this wrath. I don't get it why everyone's got their panties in a big wad over my opinions.
The only thing I can come up with is some group of influential individuals don't want the dirty truth to be told. That is, most inexpensive recording gear is not really of significant quality and is compromised because it's designed to a price point for a market niche' of people who, while genuinely interested in recording, really have no clue as to what to look or listen for in a quality product. It's a ongoing circle of events that propagates itself. They don't know what to shop for so when they get something that they think is good, they tell others about it and it goes on and on. It's the blind leading the blind. Gear dealers, distributors and manufacturers make a LOT more money exploiting this segment of the market than on the high end. They do not want these "newbies" to be educated. They want to be allowed to spread hyperbole unhindered and they do not like it when someone calls them on it. They are exploiting the ignorance of an uneducated customer base. This is BIG BUCKS we are talking about here folks. Much more money that is ever made in the high end. They are cashing in on unfullfilled promise. I think that is wrong.
Most people say they want honest evaluations ... that is they want reviewers to slam stuff. I try not to write negative reviews because I believe they serve no one and I actually have better things to do that to write 1000 + words on how much I dislike something. But when I see posts from gear dealers pushing stuff I think is sh*tty, I comment. Is there some unspoken "hands off" policy that no one told me about when it comes to particular products like the RNP? It seem there is.
Keep in mind that the audio industry is a pretty tight knit group. Most of the participants meet at least twice a year at trade shows like AES and NAM. Some of these individuals attempt to control public opinion, using tools like message boards just like RO. Some of the major contributors to these boards are part of this "Good Ol' Boys Club". Let no one else dare enter their territory or slam a product they sell, regardless of how it performs. The result is many people in the business simply keep their thought to themselves or veil thier remarks so you need to "read between the lines" in order not to incur the wrath of this group. Some of the most respected gurus in the business engage in this behavior. It's not good business to go against the grain, whether you are a reviewer, studio owner, a producer or in retail. I can't tell you how many times I have heard someone say "I won't get close to that". There is genuine fear for their livelihoods. But seeing as I am essentially retired, I don't give a rat's ass about all that. So I write and say what I think plainly, and I will continue to.
Some think I make more of this than it warrants. I don't think so. All along there has been resistance. For over 3 years now, I have been engaged in these little skirmishes and the RNP has been the source of much consternation over that time. McQuilken is a well liked guy in the business and it's possible the RNP is priced in a way that dealers do very well with it .... it's definitely a "scared cow" in the business judging from the reactions every time the subject comes up. It's a real "hot button". I suspect that my remarks and impressions regarding it have affected the sales. They can't fight the Internet with money, ..... or can they?
Considerable pressure has been recently applied to the owner of RO in regards to my comments. I was told that my "kicking ass on manufacturers on RO" (his words, not mine) was affecting the bottom line ... costing ad revenue. I was told there is not one day that goes by that he doesn't get complaints from dealers, distributors and manufactures in regards to my remarks. I was also told there were dealers who were hesitant to advertise on RO as long as I was an administrator. So I was demoted and I lost my administrator abilities.
So there you have it in a nut shell. It's real, not my imagination. I am not paranoid, they are out to get me.
:lol:
Cucco wrote: Kurt, I don't mean to beat a dead horse, and I may
Cucco wrote: Kurt,
I don't mean to beat a dead horse, and I may be wrong here, but I was under the impression that you had not had the opportunity to use and/or review either the RNC or the RNP.
Am I wrong?
Thanks...
J. 8-)
Jeremy,
No that's not correct. That's more lies that these guys try to disseminate on other BBs where I can't defend myself. PSW has my whole ISP banned ... I can't log in. Treena can't log in. If I try to register under a differnt name it doesn't let me. in. I'll bet that's where you heard that.
While FMR never sent a unit, Fletcher finally relented and sent a RNP to me (I think in hopes of changing my opinion). He also was expecting some "quid pro quo" in my helping him to get a Sebatron pre to examine. I tried to get one to him but Seb didn't follow through.
After hearing the RNP, I decided I didn't want to write about it. That's why there's no review.
I did spend considerable time with the RNP and I actually posted some audio snips comparing it to a Mackie, the GRMP2NV the 9098 and the Sebatron vmp.
[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.nowherer…"] Click here![/]="http://www.nowherer…"] Click here![/]
Now before anyone says "Of couse you didn't like it, you were biased from the beginning", in order to let others judge for themselves, I then ran a blind poll where RO readers gave feedback as to which sounded better. Surprisingly, most members picked the Mackie over the RNP. Not surprising, the others prevailed as well.
I do recant my remarks from time to time when I learn I was mistaken. One recent example is the ART thread where I asserted that the VLA was most likely built using surface mounted components. I was wrong about that and I admited it. I have always ownd up that I was wrong when that was the case ... and I am not biased against the low end as my support of pres like "The Brick" and mics like the HM-1 will attest to. I like quality, that's all.
I have not used or heard the RNC and as such have never commented on it other than to say reports on it were favorable and to suggest that people take a listen to it as an option for an inexpensive compressor for the front end. So much for my "personal differences" with McQuilken. If that were true, wouldn't I slam the RNC as well? When you really look at all the facts (which is difficult as it spans over 3 years!) , you will find that these allegations attempting to smear me are all untrue.
Cucco wrote: Thanks for clearing it up.... J Cucco: Actually,
Cucco wrote: Thanks for clearing it up....
J
Cucco:
Actually, for quite some time before Kurt ever used the RNP, he speculated in many posts that it "couldn't be good" because of the external power supply and (IIRC) for other reasons.
Kurt:
Relax. No one is that important, including yourself.
sdelsolray wrote: [quote=Cucco]Thanks for clearing it up.... J
sdelsolray wrote: [quote=Cucco]Thanks for clearing it up....
J
Cucco:
Actually, for quite some time before Kurt ever used the RNP, he speculated in many posts that it "couldn't be good" because of the external power supply and (IIRC) for other reasons.
I already wrote:
Now before anyone says "Of couse you didn't like it, you were biased from the beginning", in order to let others judge for themselves, I then ran a blind poll where RO readers gave feedback as to which sounded better. Surprisingly, most members picked the Mackie over the RNP. Not surprising, the others prevailed as well.
I also made remarks about the lack of transformers, the use of surface mount componets and cheap parts / future servicability (which turned out to be a valid point when the thing took a short tumble onto a carpeted floor and a volume pot snapped off).
My remark then and now was "I don't have to eat a sh*t sandwich to know it's not going to taste good."
sdelsolray wrote:
Kurt:
Relax. No one is that important, including yourself.
You assume I take myself too seriously but that's not true. I agree that "No one is that important", which is why I wonder why I get so much flack for speaking my mind? I'm just another Internet "wonk" flapping my big mouth. I have never said different. :lol:
This thread would not have been drug off topic like this if my remarks had been left to stand on their own as most others are. I don't mind somone disagreeing with me but when someone tries to discredit me with personal attacks that have nothing to do with the subject, but that instead focus on my personal attributes and qualifications, I feel compelled to answer.
I do not like the RNP-RNC eather. I realy would like to have on
I do not like the RNP-RNC eather. I realy would like to have one RNC for a master output compresor in a live situation but the lack of balanced output will reduce my possibility to choose a place to setup.
Not to mention 6 db reduction in the gain.I have no use for unbalnced gear.
Correct me if I am wrong but I think that with the RNC layout there might be a 1-2ms latency.
Here. I have never heard the gear but that doesn't stop me from not liking it.
Buzz I'm reading reviews about the Sytek MPX-4Aii, Steve Albini,
Buzz I'm reading reviews about the Sytek MPX-4Aii, Steve Albini, Aerosmith... Sounds like a "very nice preamp" (VNP)! Have you tried it? Any comments about it? It's so cheap that it makes me reconsider the whole 2 + 2 channels that I had in mind.. or maybe considered the price I could still buy another little box and have 6 more ch instead of just 4.
Do you guys have any opinions about this Sytek MPX-4Aii? Kurt?
Why would the controls use AD/DA? They're simple attenuater swi
Why would the controls use AD/DA? They're simple attenuater switches with various resistors and capacitors in the chain.
Of course, if there were conversion going on between the two realms, yes, there would be latency. But there isn't so there ain't.
Now, I'll go out on a limb and state very simply -
I like the RNC and I like the RNP.
The RNP is a good, usable pre at a good value. Do I find that I like it better than my Graces or my Trues - No. Do I find it to be a viable and all around good preamp? Heck Yes. I don't find that the minor annoyances of the wall wart (an inconvenience only - when really digging into the way voltage works, there really is no significant difference of a wall-wart vs. an internal power supply - if implemented correctly.)
I don't mind the SMT. Most companies are going surface mount nowadays. I don't see this as a problem as it's becoming far less common that audio engineers are electrical engineers too. And, given the price point, it's not a problem to replace an entire board in a device like this.
As for the RNC - I find this to be an excellent compressor. So it isn't balanced - what truly does this mean to me? I use compressors as inserts. Most of my gear uses unbalanced inserts anyway as do most modern consoles. If I want to use a device for an entire bus (ie, mastering compressor) I usually whip out the big guns. This device is not designed to be a mastering compressor.
What I like about it - the sound; it's crystal clear and the compression is clean. The controls; they're logical and they're all there. None of this "compression knob" crap where you don't get to select ratio, threshold and the such.
What I don't like about it - no dual mono. Big deal - if I want independent channels, I'll buy another unit - they're that cheap.
I'm really looking forward to my demo unit on the new RNLA, though I should say that I'm approaching it with a lot of hesitation. I will intentionally be looking for things not to like simply because I don't want to come across as the guy who likes all things FMR. However, if I like it, I'll tell you I do and I'll tell you why.
As for the Sytek - it's a great pre. It too uses surface mount technology and (I believe) a switching power supply so many people who are driven by specs won't like this pre. As well, it uses ICs, so again, spec watchers or parts counters beware. However, the Sytek stuff, make no mistake about it, are great pres. They sound great, they're made well and the company is good to deal with.
My advice - buy one with the Burr Brown options on channels 3&4. You won't regret it!
J.
Bas I have one and use it all the time it's one of my goto pre's
Bas I have one and use it all the time it's one of my goto pre's ( ovrhds , acoustic etc. )
I'll just say you can't go wrong with a Sytek , hell if you read whats out there about it you;ll see that it is a very good pre for the money .
$200 pre ch.
Later
Buzz
PS: Or just listen to all the bull S$it and by something for 3x's that amount and get ripped . Actually the Sytek is descrete component on a PCB ( no SMT's that I remember ,but that was a year ago when I lokked in it so ?? ) Just call Mike at Sytek he will answer all of your ?'s
(847) 550-0100
I don't own a sytek but have tracked with the 4 channel version
I don't own a sytek but have tracked with the 4 channel version that has the Burr Brown opamp's on the second 2 channels and I was very impressed, especially with the Burr Brown opamps. They have a little color to them.
I noticed the sytek was expecially useful on drums.
i hate posting beacause i consider myself a newbie , but i find
i hate posting beacause i consider myself a newbie , but i find what kurt says is straight up and makes sense. I listen to all sorts of people and went out and got a rode nt1000 and an eureka pre for hip-hop male vocals, and it sounded harsh really harsh. so i took a chance and got a kel mic. and the brick
its sounds way better, alot smoother. even the rode sounds better just used it on a girl singing a hook on a song. so the man could have saved me about 800 dollars if i would have read his posts before purchase. as for all you high end dealers doing us the favor of saving us money i'm not buying it (you're no better than car dealers) no one sels stuff to make less money. oh IMO
Arbona ???? 1st I am not a sales person 2nd If you buy evert
Arbona ????
1st I am not a sales person
2nd If you buy everthing based on other opinions you have no ears , and deserve to waste money.
3rd Hip Hop is DISCO !!!
There are many people that will steer you towards THIER gear on the web , then there are others that have used the gear and are biased then there are others that have used the gear and have very bad ears or hate the MFG
Then there are those that have used the gear have good ears and are independant.
So you choose who you will listen to and who will give you an ohnest opinion.
Just my 0.02$
Later
Buzz
PS: you will need different mic/pre combos for different singers regardless of genre to get the best from those different voices !!!!
arbona wrote: so i took a chance and got a kel mic. and the bri
arbona wrote: so i took a chance and got a kel mic. and the brick
its sounds way better, alot smoother.
Good choice. The Kel is good and I love The Brick.
A lot of the audio gear business is mainly about features and not how well a piece of gear actually does what it is supposed to do. Too bad most reviewers in the audio rag biz are playing the same game.
That said, I am not completely comfortable with The Brick being called transparent. I don´t think it is. That is however not a problem. I love that product anyway. However, in order to get back to the initial post that started this thread.. recommending The Brick as a truly transparent pre might not be good advice. I know a lot of people might disagree, but so what.
Anyways, why does he want a transparent pre? The way I see this, unless he has some extremely well founded reasons for really looking for a truly incredibly transparent pre then The Brick might be just what the doctor ordered.
Sorry it took a couple days to respond. I've been covered up la
Sorry it took a couple days to respond. I've been covered up lately with all kinds of you name it.
Kurt Foster wrote: RNP vs. Mackie
What I said was ... "More like a Mackie than not." Please if you want to quote me, quote me ... don't make things up. .
What in the world does "More like a Mackie than not" mean if it doesn't mean "like a Mackie"? I mean, really...
Kurt Foster wrote: Personal Issues
As far as the personal issues, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. I do not know Mr. McQuilken other than through a few exchanges.
Kurt, I honestly believe you took it personally that he wouldn't send you a RNP for review. Doing a search I found you mentioned it *several* times and I believe it truly bothered you. Aside from the fact that FMR Audio was severely backordered, you had already said it couldn't be as good as people were saying, so why would FMR send you a unit for you to review? You made your mind up before ever getting one in your hands. That was a bit strange, no?
Kurt Foster wrote: I just really don't like cheap pre amps (especially ones that run on 8 volts).
You mean 12 volts? Ummm... That's never been a problem. Does electricity work differently where you're from? :) Seriously, if there's no tubes or fat transformers to power, why does one need more?
Kurt Foster wrote:
It's interesting that this is your first post. Thanks for you candid comments regarding your occupation .... Perhaps you can educate us all as to how you make a lot more money selling dozens of cheap pres like the RNP over one piece of high quality gear like a Millennia or a Vintech. Then everyone else will have a grasp on why it's always gear manufacturers, dealers, reps and distributors who have issues with my remarks. They hate it when they see posts like:"I think it's good to know about people who have had a bad experience with this gear because 99% of the time we read great reviews (online)about anything, and it seems we live in a perfect world. So it's good to have a real critique from another common mortal like me who actually tried the equipment."
It's interesting that this is your first post
This is indeed my first post on recording.org, but *FAR* from my first post anywhere. I've been in forums since rec.audio.pro first started, and that's been quite a while. :) As far as what brought me here... I was eager to see what people were saying about the new FMR RNLA. Seems like lots of other interesting stuff too. It's hard to keep up with all of them (forums) since there's so many now.
Perhaps you can educate us all as to how you make a lot more money selling dozens of cheap pres like the RNP over one piece of high quality gear like a Millennia or a Vintech
Well, for starters, you have a much larger percentage of people looking for lower priced gear that performs great over people looking for $2k+ gear. Dollar for dollar, I make just about exactly the same amount of money selling pres like the Great River MP-2NV ($2150) than I do when I sell 4.526 RNP's ($2150), so that's simply not an issue at all.
Then everyone else will have a grasp on why it's always gear manufacturers, dealers, reps and distributors who have issues with my remarks
Man, I just wish you weren't so darn pessimistic about dealers and manufacturers. Most of us dealers are just regular guys/gals who passionately love audio and simply chose to follow our dream when the opportunity presented itself. Many of us were very active in the various forums before going into the retail business. By chance, do you play golf? How would you like to be a professional golfer. ?? uhhh.. ?? I don't know why I typed that, 'cause running a music store is nowhere near that cool, but you know what I mean.
As for manufacturers, I think it's one thing when President and CEO of Pro-Audio Gear, Inc rears his ugly corporate head to blab on and on about his new toob whatnot, but it's another thing completly when you get someone like Mark McQuilken, Dan Kennedy, and others like them who actually design and build gear to come in here and fill our eyes with vauable information. These guys aren't coming in here to sell units. Heck, they're always backed up. Always. They're just passionate about audio like you and me, and they love what they do.
These people you are referring to have issues with your remarks for what I feel are obvious reasons. I don't care to go into them, as they have been brought up before.
Disclaimer: I don't play golf, but it sure looks relaxing. :)
Kurt Foster wrote: I never head from you after the review ran
Kurt Foster wrote:
I never head from you after the review ran . I thought you were so happy with the review that you decided to let me keep it.
I really hope you are kidding about thinking Dan was going to let you keep it. Reviewers don't get paid by a manufacturer (but are paid by the associated magazine obviously, which there is nothing wrong with if you agree with the basic philosophy of capitalism in the western world). Mix Magazine is the largest mag in circulation, and even their reviewers don't get paid. That's part of the trust issue involved, that the reviewer isn't going to be 'bribed'. IMO most reviewers are very professional and they do their best to be done with the piece in 4-6 weeks.
Kurt Foster wrote:
I would be happy to return it. Please send the pick up tag to the same address that the unit was sent to. Let me know when I can expect to see it. I will have it boxed and ready to go.
You get to keep a $2,150 preamp for one year, and you expect Dan Kennedy to pay for the shipping back to you? No offense, but that's the epitomy of cheap (and he had to bring it up in a public forum, shame on you). You should pay for it overnight shipping back to Dan (you should have actually bought it, that's the industry standard if the reviewer wants to keep it longer than 2 months). That's the courteous thing to do, just from one person to another. It would cost close to $9000 to rent a 2NV for a year from any normal rental house (2% of total street cost, 4 day week x 52 weeks). You seem to fail to realize that Great River is a small operation, and handing out 5 figure's ($$$) worth of units to various reviewers for free is not part of the plan (of any boutique manufacturer). I'm definitely seeing a trend in the industry of people who are claiming to be 'professional reviewers' who are really just regurgitating product literature, heresay, or forum banter (I've been plagerized before), and are really in it for the potential of kickbacks. Pathetic.
You are very quick to point the finger at dealers and manufacturers for making a living. Yet you would completely welcome and enjoy a parasitic relationship with a manufacturer if you could get it for free? This sounds like a serious double standard Kurt. You know who ultimately would PAY for the privilage of something like this if this was the reality of the industry? The end user. I'm glad it doesn't happen, because everything would be 20% more expensive than it is.
4 channels for $1000-$1400 will not be of of A+ professional qua
4 channels for $1000-$1400 will not be of of A+ professional quality (and it looks like that's what you are looking for). I think the True systems is so cheap one because it's all IC based (instead of discrete or Class A), it's good bang for the buck though. But as you'll see their two channel version is a lot more expensive per channel, I'm assuming because the cost break on the parts is significant @ 8 channels for the manufacturer. The ONLY piece of gear that is going to be in your budget, and fit your criteria is the FMR RNP (that I personally know of and have used, there may be something else). It's a little two channel box, that to my ears sounds better and more musical than the Grace 101. The Grace is slightly cleaner, but it's also not as smooth.